United Spinal Association is sponsoring 4 Wheel City, a hip-hop group that uses music as an outlet to inspire people with disabilities to pursue their dreams, during their upcoming “Welcome to Reality” music tour.
The seven-city tour will takeoff in Orlando, Florida on October 22nd, ending in the birthplace of hip-hop, New York City, on November 12th and will also include speaking engagements by the group to discuss disability-related issues.
United Spinal’s disability travel program Able to Travel (www.abletotravel.org), also arranged all of 4 Wheel City’s travel accommodations and booked accessible rental cars and vans for the group to use during the tour.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to support 4 Wheel City during this one-of-a-kind music tour. United Spinal is proud to be a part of this outstanding initiative to not only increase the public’s awareness of people with disabilities through music, but also inspire many people to make positive changes in their lives,” says Marlene Perkins, vice-president of Corporate and Donor Relations for United Spinal.
The group’s founders, Bronx-natives Namel “Tapwaterz” Norris, 26, and Ricardo “Rickfire” Velasquez, 31, were both spinal cord injured from gunshot wounds. At age 17, Norris was accidentally shot in the neck by his cousin while the two were horsing around with guns and Velasquez, then 19, was caught in cross-fire while walking home from a party.
“For me it was like my world was flipped upside down and I needed to make a big mental and physical adjustment,” says Norris, who was mentored by Velasquez after his injury.
Norris and Velasquez formed a lasting friendship and collaborated to form 4 Wheel City. Their message to others living with spinal cord injuries rings clearly through their music–never give up hope!
“If you’re not doing anything, find something that you love to do, that you got the passion for,” Velasquez adds. “You’re going to find something that makes you happy, whatever it is––acting, singing, whatever you want to do, just go for it. We’re disabled and still got the will to live. I think that will inspire other people with disabilities and people will see we’re the same.”
Tour Schedule:
10/22 and 10/24 – Orlando, FL – Orlando Rehabilitation
10/25 and 10/27 – Atlanta GA – Jonesboro High School
10/29 and 10/30 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Community High School
10/30 and 11/02 – Washington, DC – Walter Reed / VSA Arts 11/3 and 11/5 – Philadelphia, PA – Temple Univ./Magee Rehabilitation
11/6 and 11/8 – West Orange, NJ – Kessler Rehabilitation
11/10 and 11/12 – New York City – Mount Sinai
United Spinal is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post polio. It has played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with spinal cord disorders.
4 Wheel City is an urban entertainment group and disability awareness movement. Their mission is to use hip-hop music and culture to create more awareness and positive opportunities for people with disabilities, to inspire people not to give up in life, and to raise funds for spinal cord injury research. In addition, their experiences have moved them to be allies in the war against gun violence. By educating the community of its consequences, Norris and Velasquez hope to encourage action and make a difference in the fight against illegal guns and inner city gun violence. For more information on 4 Wheel City, visit http://www.myspace.com/4wheelcity.
