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.