Adam's Friends
Annual fund-raising event helps paralyzed man achieve independence and success.
SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
StaffWriter
T
o see Adam Niskar driving from his own
home in Beverly Hills to his full-time job,
casual observers could never imagine what it
took for him to get to that point.
Adam, now 31, has been paralyzed from his upper
chest down, since his spinal cord was severed during a
dive into a shallow area of Walnut Lake in 1999 while
playing with his Labrador retriever Alex.
Almost immediately following the devastating acci-
dent, his friends and family began to plan what would
be the first Friends for Adam fund-raising event, to
help Adam live on his own and get back to work.
This year's event — which will include food, drinks,
an auction and music by the Simone Vitale Band —
will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at the
Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.
"We knew from the start that Adam's house would
need to be renovated and he would absolutely need
transportation," said Adam's brother Ross Niskar of
Birmingham, chairperson of each year's event. "So
many people called right after the accident to ask what
they could do to help, we decided to hold the fund-
raiser."
Adam watched the first year's event from a computer
hookup at Craig Hospital in Denver, where he spent
three months undergoing rehabilitation. Each year
since, he has greeted guests in person.
The first year's donations of nearly $100,000 provid-
ed Adam with more than enough money to move
from his bungalow to an easier-to-navigate ranch
home. "It also was enough to have the house modified
so I could get around on my own," Adam said.
For the first year, his parents, Arlene Niskar of Oak
Park and Gerald Niskar of Howell, took turns staying
with him. "After that, I threw her out — and then I
threw him out," Adam joked.
Next he arranged for a home health-care worker to
come to his house each weekday "She does laun dry,
cleans the house and sets me up so I can start my day
easily," Adam said. "She also packages food in contain-
ers so I can just take it out of the fridge and go."
On The Road Again
41N
10/15
2004
24
For the first six months after the accident, Adam
remembered, he didn't do much. Then he set up a
home office to continue the work he had been doing at
Rock Financial in Livonia, where he is a sales coach.
Next came the car, with hand-controls and a wheel-
chair lift. "Driving it is pretty similar to how you
would drive with your legs, except you use your arms
instead of your feet," Adam said. "I had to take a road
test at the Secretary of State's office and got my license
the February after the [August] accident."
Then he gradually went from working at home to
adding more and more time in the office, until he
facilitate group meetings for the F.U.N.
(Flourish, Unite, Nurture) group at
Temple Israel, which provides support
and social opportunities for those with
physical limitations.
The hope is for this year's event —
sponsored by Rock Financial, Metro-West
Appraisal Company, World Appraisal,
Athletes Unlimited, Tide Source, Inc.,
and Michigan Sports and Spine Center
— to bring in the $40,000-$50,000
needed for Adam's fixed expenses.
For Adam, that will include payment
for his new car and new wheelchair. He's
been on the go enough that, he said,
"The old chair just wore out."
Adam also donates a portion of what
his own event raises, to others. "I called
the girl who was paralyzed in the Detroit
fireworks shootings [June 23] and invited
her and her family to come to the fund-
raiser," he said. "I want to make a dona-
tion to her."
In the past, the event's fund also made
donations to other individuals as well as
to agencies including Athletes Unlimited
in West Bloomfield, comprised of ath-
letes who are physically challenged.
"Adam is an amazing, very tenacious
person," Arlene Niskar said of her son.
"His very funny sense of humor helps
him a lot, and he uses it to make others
comfortable, especially children who ask,
`What happened to you?' His spirit is
phenomenal. He is my hero."
Top: Adam Niskar in his home exercise room with Alex, the dog he
Ross said his brother "has always been
was playing with when he was injured.
very strong-willed. I always knew, with
support, he would go back to work," he
Above: Adam drives a specially equipped van and rides a bicycle he can
operate with his arms.
said. "He really has such a positive atti-
tude about life.
"Donations from the fund-raisers are
reached his current full-time, five-to-six day workweek
allowing
him
to
do the most he can. They have provid-
at the Rock Financial office.
ed him with reliable home care, exercise equipment, an
Adam also has other things that his insurance does
accessible home and a modified car."
not cover — and that he would not be able to have it
According to Adam, "Having these things is the dif-
weren't for the annual fund-raisers. "I have a weight
ference between being able to do nothing — and being
room," he said. "I have things that are meant for some-
able to do almost anything." ❑
one who is completely functional and are modified so I
can use them. I have a stationary hand cycle, with ped-
als — like on a bike — but that exercises my arms."
He also has a hand cycle that goes on the road. "I
transfer from my chair into the bike and lock myself in
The 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, Friends for Adam
with my legs straight, like a jockey in a harness race,
charity event will be held at the Townsend
and I use my arms to ride," he said.
Hotel in Birmingham. Cost: $125 per person.
SharingWith Others
In addition to acclimating himself to his new lifestyle,
this week Adam began a volunteer position, helping to
For information, call Ross Niskar at (248) 930-
2120. Checks may be made payable to Friends
for Adam Niskar and mailed to P.O. Box 631,
Birmingham, MI 48012.