20 Years of Caring People. Changing Lives.
A Celebration of Life...Hope...and Possibilities!
"You will find motivation today when you see the possibility in tomorrow,"
Roger Crawford, 2010 Possibilities Luncheon Speaker
The Seventh Annual Possibilities: Siskin Hospital Celebrates Life Beyond Disability Luncheon was held on February 23, 2010 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Over 550 people attended to hear Roger Crawford share his unforgettable message of hope and perseverance.
Siskin Hospital is excited to announce that the 2010 Possibilities Luncheon raised $74,000 for patient care!!! This is the largest amount ever raised at Possibilities. Thank you to everyone who attended the luncheon and supported Possibilities.
An incredible speaker, Roger Crawford, inspired and motivated everyone in attendance by displaying that his, "attitude is more powerful than circumstances."
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The Roger Crawford Story
Roger Crawford truly experiences life beyond disability everyday. Born with a disease resulting in four underdeveloped limbs, Roger faced many surgeries and the amputation of his left leg. Even without fully developed hands and fingers, Roger refused to let his limitations stop him.
His challenges were inevitable, but for Roger, difficult did not mean impossible. After discovering he could successfully hold a tennis racket, there was no stopping
him. Roger found his passion in sports and with pure optimism and determinism, he defied the odds to achieve the remarkable.
Roger went on to become a NCAA Division 1 Tennis Champion, demonstrating that choices matter more than circumstances. Sports Illustrated calls Roger one of the most accomplished physically challenged atheletes in history. Roger also holds current certification from the United States Tennis Association.
From Center Court to Center Stage
Roger's amazing story does not end on the tennis court. He is a best-selling author and inspirational keynote speaker.
The National Speakers Association awarded Roger the distinguished CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame designation, acknowledging his speaking excellence. In recognition of Roger's extraordinary achievements, he has been inducted into the National Hall of Fame for People with Disabilities, joining fellow honorees such as Christopher Reeve and Helen Keller.
Roger's inspiring story was featured in the original best selling book, Chicken Soup for the Soul and the NBC Emmy Award winning, In a New Light. In addition to Roger's speaking success, he is also an internationally acclaimed author. His most recent book, THINK AGAIN! Discover the Possibilities Hidden in Plain Sight, was released in June 2007. Roger has also written How High Can You Bounce as well as an inspiring autobiography called Playing From The Heart. 
"You exhibit what can be called 'true grit' in all that you do. You have forgotten whatever 'handicaps' others may have assigned to you, and have concentrated on the God-given talents you so proudly display."
--Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States.
Celebrate Life Beyond Disability!!!
The Possibilities Luncheon also featured personal accounts of how individuals have overcome their disabilities to achieve amazing accomplishments. There was a very special patient video with heartwarming footage of Siskin Hospital patients who have a miraculous recovery story to share. Love, courage, and perseverance helped each person turn tragedy into triumph, as they discovered that life is full of possibilities.
A dedicated Steering Committee worked with Siskin Hospital employees to help coordinate the luncheon. Siskin Hospital appreciates Stan and Betsy McCright for serving as the 2010 Steering Committee Co-Chairs.
The Possibilities Luncheon is Siskin Hospital's largest community-wide fundraising event, with proceeds helping to provide needed services for patients without adequate insurance to cover the cost of their care.
Siskin Hospital would like to thank Unum for their continued support as the Premier Event Sponsor of the Possibilities Luncheon for seven years.
Presenting Speaker Sponsor: Chattem
| Platinum Table Sponsors | Crystal Table Sponsors |
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Claire S. Binder Chattanooga Times Free Press Chattem, Inc. Robert P. Main Stan & Betsy McCright Robert & Pris Siskin SunTrust Bank Drs. Vic & Liz Thomas Unum U.S. WRCB TV Channel 3 Jo Ann Yates |
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee EMJ Corporation Lawrence & Anita Levine Memorial Health System Helen Pregulman Regions Bank |
| Patron Table Sponsors | |
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--Anonymous --AT&T --Ace Hardware --Mrs. C. Harold Alper --Amelia Allen/ M.J. Levine --Blood Assurance --Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company --City of Chattanooga --College of Health, Education & Professional Studies at UTC --Cornerstone Community Bank --Erlanger Health System --Gearhiser, Peters, Lockaby, Cavett & Elliott, PLLC --Nancy Jolley --Joseph Decosimo & Company --Lattimore, Black, Morgan & Cain, PC --Lawson Electric |
--Linda Knudson Lind --Luken Holdings --Stan & Betsy McCright --Miller & Martin --Sharon Mills --Morgan Keegan Trust Company --Ross Trial Consulting --Russ Blakely & Associates --Siskin Children's Institute --Siskin Spine & Rehabilitation Specialists --Siskin Steel & Supply --U.S. Xpress --Vascular Diagnostics --VoiceCare --Rep. Zach & Kim Wamp --Mark & Annie Wilson |
The 2009 Possibilities Luncheon was held Wednesday, February 25th at 11:30 a.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The event was a huge success, with over 500 people in attendance!
Scott Burrows, the featured speaker, did an outstanding job and truly touched the hearts of those in attendance. His emotional account of turning his personal tragedy into triumph inspired the audience to dream and achieve personal goals.
Scott is a wonderful example that it is possible to live an active and meaningful life after a disability.
Siskin Hospital celebrates Scott's achievements and strives to provide our patients with the best care possible, while encouraging them to return to an active and fulfilling life after a disability.
Siskin Hospital would like to thank all those who have supported Possibilities. Without the community's support, we would not be able to provide care to those in need.
We sincerely appreciate those who help patients and their family members receive much needed rehabilitative care.
Please visit the Ways To Give page to make a donation and continue helping Siskin Hospital achieve our mission of being Caring People. Changing Lives.
Your donations make a difference in the lives of our patients and our community!
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At the age of 19, Scott Burrows was living his dream of playing football for Bobby Bowden at Florida State 
University. He was also ranked number one in the state of Florida's Light-Heavy Weight Kick Boxing Division, when tragedy struck...
A single car accident left Scott paralyzed from the chest down, classifying him as a quadriplegic and instantly changing his life. Scott's life had taken an unforeseen turn and his dreams were shattered, as this multi-talented athlete was now confined to a wheelchair. 
While in recovery, Scott realized he had two choices in life: he could take control of his life or let life take control of him. From that moment forward, he determined that his disability would not define him. Rather than being sidelined in the game of life, he worked hard to accomplish his goals.
Scott now uses his own success formula of Vision, Mindset and Grit to maximize untapped potential and excel in any challenge he faces. He is an international business owner, wheelchair athlete, author, and renowned professional and motivational speaker. He challenges himself with golf, full-
contact wheelchair rugby, wheelchair marathons, skiing, scuba diving, and parasailing.
The fear of being a quadriplegic could have ended his dreams, but Scott refused to be sidelined and decided instead to Play Up the Possibilities!
The Possibilities Luncheon will also feature personal accounts of how individuals have overcome their disabilities to accomplish amazing things. There will be a very special patient video with heartwarming footage of Siskin Hospital patients who have a miraculous recovery story to share. Love, courage, and
perseverance helped each person turn tragedy into triumph, as they discovered that life is full of possibilities.
A dedicated Steering Committee is working with Siskin Hospital employees to help coordinate the luncheon. Siskin Hospital is very excited to have Michael and Paige Mathis as the 2009 Steering Committee Co-Chairs. The Possibilities Luncheon is Siskin Hospital's largest community-wide fundraising event, with proceeds helping to provide needed services for patients without adequate insurance to cover the cost of their care.
Siskin Hospital would like to thank Unum for their continued support as the Primary
Sponsor of the Possibilities Luncheon for six years, as well as WRCB-TV Channel 3 for their continued support as the Media Sponsor.
"It's never losing site of the common goal that can help us make the improbable a little more probable." - Scott Burrows
Siskin Hospital would also like to thank and recognize these additional sponsors. Their support is truly valued and helps ensure the success of the Possibilities Luncheon, as well as the recovery of our patients who need help in paying for their rehabilitative care.
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MAGAZINE |
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Honorary Table Sponsorships
| Feature Patient Honorary Table | WSMC Classical Radio 90.5FM | In Honor of Megan Morris |
| Former Patient Honorary Table | Regions Bank | In Honor of Trent Creswell & Laura Brown |
| Former Patient Honorary Table | Drs. Vic & Liz Kennedy Thomas | In Honor of Jordan Thomas |
Crystal Table Sponsors
| BlueCross BlueShield of TN | Robert P. Main | Robert & Pris Siskin |
| Claire Siskin Binder | Helen Pregulman | Siskin Steel & Supply |
| Nancy Jolley | Russ Blakely & Assoc. | WRCB-TV 3/ ST Productions |
| Lawrence & Anita Levine | Service Electric Company | Jo Ann Yates |
Patron Table Sponsors
| AT&T | Decosimo & Company | Sharon Mills |
| Ace Hardware | Erlanger Health System | Donna Mize |
| Alexian Village of Tennessee | Gearhiser, Peters, Lockaby, Cavett & Elliott, PLLC | Morgan Keegan Trust Company |
| Maxine Alper & Debby Alper/ Margie Bevil & Libby Dyer |
GenTech Construction | Service Electric Company |
| Amelia Allen/ M.J. Levine | Hair Benders Internationale | Siskin Children's Institute |
| Blood Assurance | Lattimore, Black, Morgan & Cain, PC | Siskin Spine & Rehab Clinic |
| Dr. & Mrs. John Boxell | Lawson Electric Company | U.S. Xpress |
| Chattanooga Coca Cola Bottling Company | Memorial Health Care System | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga |
| City of Chattanooga | Miller & Martin |
Thank you for your support!
| Chattanooga Area Brain Injury Association | Hamilton County Department of Education | National MS Society |
| Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce | Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough | Papercut Interactive |
| Chattanooga State Technical Community College | Hunt Nissan | St. Barnabas Nursing Home |
| Chattem | LaFoy Outdoor Advertising | Tennessee Hospital Association |
| Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga | Media Planning & Placement, LLC | UBS Financial Services |
| David Kirkpatrick, DDS | Molly Maid | WildHare Books |
| Fillauer, Inc. | Motes Advertising |
2008 Possibilities Luncheon Huge Success!
The Annual Possibilities: Life Beyond Disability Luncheon was held at the Chattanooga Convention Center on February 13 as a fundraiser for Siskin Hospital. The Luncheon benefits the Patient Assistance Fund at Siskin Hospital, which provides funds to those without adequate means to pay for their treatment.
The event, now in its' fifth year, is a unique way for Siskin Hospital to share some of the remarkable stories of courage and success from our former patients, while raising awareness for the many programs offered through physical medicine and rehabilitation to the Chattanooga community.
Cindy Sexton, news anchor for WRCB-TV Channel 3, served as emcee for the event. As media sponsor for the luncheon, WRCB's ST Productions and Cindy Sexton produced an amazing video portraying the life-changing patient stories of Bobby Bean, David Tallent, Neesie Young, and Tim Totherow. These patients have overcome insurmountable odds and truly live life to the fullest beyond their disability.
We are happy to report that this year's luncheon was a record-breaking event in every way! Total attendance increased to 675, almost 300 more than last year, with nearly 50 Crystal and Patron Sponsorship tables. Proceeds from the event more than doubled that over the previous year, and expenses decreased significantly. In all, we were pleased to raise more than $50,000 to help provide much needed care for those patients without insurance who are unable to pay for their care.
The success of the Possibilities Luncheon is largely due to a wonderful group of community volunteers who so graciously gave of their time and support. This year's Steering Committee was co-chaired by Mike and Debbie Brown, who were essential in coordinating the event. The Browns, along with a team of about 20 volunteers, enabled the Hospital to host the most successful Possibilities event ever! We offer our sincere and heartfelt thanks for their invaluable support.
Siskin Hospital would also like to extend our gratitude to Unum, who has been the primary corporate sponsor for the Possibilities Luncheon since its' beginning. Bob Best, Chief Operating Officer for Unum U.S., introduced the speaker, Lee Woodruff, and stated that sponsoring the Possibilities Luncheon is the perfect opportunity for Unum, a strong supporter of life beyond disability. 
Honorary Co-Chairs for the event were Joe and Susan Davenport. The Davenports graciously contributed to the new Brain Injury Unity at Siskin Hospital in honor of Joe's daughter, Hollis. Hollis suffered a traumatic brain injury at the age 14, and received physical, occupational, and speech therapy at Siskin Hospital. She worked hard to recover from her injury, and today lives a full life in Colorado, where she works as a teacher and enjoys many outdoor activities. We are so grateful for the Davenport's contribution, which helps us continue to provide incredible opportunities for those suffering from a traumatic brain injury.
Mike Brown, Steering Committee Co-Chair, best sums up this year's event by saying, "It was incredible. The community pulled together during an economically unstable time and donated from their hearts, because they believe in the cause and believe in what Siskin Hospital does for this community."
Lee Woodruff ~ Possibilities Speaker
Lee Woodruff, the keynote speaker, was the inspiration for the theme, "Although Life 
Can Change In An Instant, It Still Remains Full of Possibilities." Lee and her husband, Bob Woodruff, co-authored a book, In An Instant. The book describes their family's experiences when Bob was severely injured while on assignment for ABC News in Iraq. He suffered a traumatic brain injury when a roadside bomb exploded upon the military convoy he was imbedded with, almost killing him.
Since Bob's injury, Lee Woodruff has been an advocate for helping to raise awareness for brain injury patients, especially those in the armed forces. She and Bob started the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injuries, which supports wounded military personnel and their families when they return home with a severe brain injury. Lee is also a contributing editor for ABC's Good Morning America, and she has been published in high profile magazines such as Health, Red Book, Country Living, and Family Fun.
Siskin Hospital was honored to have Lee speak at the Possibilities Luncheon. She shared her family's experiences in a way that truly touched everyone in the audience. Her heartfelt speech even inspired some in the audience to speak up about their own struggles with having a brain injury.
Lee discussed the 36 agonizing days that Bob spent in a medically induced coma, only to 
have him sit up on the 37th day and say, "Where ya been sweetie?" Her recognition that one never knows how a person will react to a brain injury makes Bob's comment to her on the day he woke up a miracle. Lee's husband was fortunate to retain his ability to speak Chinese, recall his travels and interviews as a reporter, and most importantly, recognize and love his family.
Lee said her most important decision came after Bob had regained consciousness, which was where he would go for his rehabilitation care. She expressed her admiration and gratitude to everyone working in the rehabilitation field. Lee noted that it is something you never think about until you need it, and then rehabilitation becomes the most important thing in your life. Lee explained how rehabilitation gave the Woodruff family their lives back. She praised everyone at Siskin Hospital for the inspiring work that is done each day, understanding the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing as well. 
While Lee Woodruff has seen first hand how devastating an injury can be, she undoubtedly claims that the human spirit is resilient by saying, "until you go through a life-changing experience, you don't realize how incredible we are. You find out how many people love you and how important faith is."
Lee showed a video of her four children working with their father on his speech skills. Watching the beautiful moments the Woodruff family shared when helping their father to recall certain words again were emotional for many in the audience. The Woodruff children were so excited when Bob correctly pronounced the words "belt buckle." These images captured the struggles the Bob and so many others face after a devastating injury or illness. These same images also fill our hearts with hope, as we see that physical and mental improvements are possible and do happen every day in our lives. 
Her compassion and radiance filled the room as she understood and empathized with the impact a devastating injury can have not only on the patient, but on the entire family as well. Lee was able to emotionally connect with everyone in attendance, as her warmth and strength inspired us all.
Lee's sense of humor and genuineness captivated the record-breaking audience of 675 people. She ended by encouraging everyone to go home and hug a loved one, call a friend, read to a child, and remember that," life can change in an instant and the things that matter most are those that you can put your arms around."
| AT&T | Decosimo & Company | Sharon Mills |
| Ace Hardware |
Erlanger Health System |
Donna Mize |
| Alexian Village of Tennessee | Gearhiser, Peters, Lockaby, Cavett & Elliott, PLLC | Morgan Keegan trust Company |
| Maxine Alper & Debby Alper/ Margie Bevil & Libby Dyer |
GenTech Construction | Service Electric Group |
| Amelia Allen/ M.J. Levine | Hair Benders Internationale | Siskin Children's Institute |
| Blood Assurance | Lattimore, Black, Morgan & Cain, PC | Siskin Spine & Rehab Clinic |
| Dr. & Mrs. John Boxell | Lawson Electric Company | SunTrust Bank |
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Chattanooga Coca Cola Bottling Company |
Memorial Health Care System | U.S. Xpress |
| City of Chattanooga | Miller & Martin | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga |
Thank you for your support!
| Chattanooga Area Brain Injury Association | Hamilton County Department of Education | National MS Society |
| Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce | Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough | Papercut Interactive |
| Chattanooga State Technical Community College | Hunt Nissan | St. Barnabas Nursing Home |
| Chattem | LaFoy Outdoor Advertising | Tennessee Hospital Association |
| Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga | Media Planning & Placement, LLC | UBS Financial Services |
| David Kirkpatrick, DDS | Molly Maid | WildHare Books |
| Fillauer, Inc. | Motes Advertising |
