Walk 'N' Roll raises funds and hope

MOTIVATED:
Lloyd Bither, 17, of Anderson crosses the finish line Sunday at the 3rd annual Walk ‘N’ Roll fundraiser.

Crossing the finish line under their own power was the goal for most participants in the third annual Walk 'N' Roll fundraiser sponsored Sunday by the Roses 4 Hope organization along a mile section of the Sacramento River Trail in Redding.

Roses 4 Hope is the philanthropic arm of The Rose Center for Rehabilitation, Hope and Wellness, a physical, speech and occupational therapy clinic in Redding.

One of the first to cross the "finish line" was Lloyd Bither, 17, of Anderson, who was participating in the event for a third year in a row.

"I like helping out and volunteering for things," said Bither, who was born with spina bifida, a developmental birth defect that most often results in an incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube. Although the physical condition can be corrected with surgery, permanent nerve damage often occurs.

Bither does not let his physical condition limit his activities.

"I love to do sports. I'm going to sports camp on June 21," said the Anderson Union High School student. "I love FFA and I love talking to people. I guess I'm just a going guy," he said.

Nearly 200 participants in the Walk 'N' Roll paid a $10 entry fee that included a commemorative T-shirt.

It is community supporters and people like Bither that prompted Rob and Lisa Rose to found The Rose Center.

After surviving a single-vehicle rollover with a broken neck, Rob Rose suffered a broken neck and was hospitalized for more than six months.

During recovery, Rose was offered little hope of regaining much mobility, he said. However, with physical therapy, Rose has improved dramatically.

"We looked around and didn't see much support or care for these severe types of spinal injuries, so that is what inspired us to open The Rose Center and to start our foundation, Roses 4 Hope," Rob Rose said.

Sunday's event raised nearly $16,500. The funds will be used to supplement insurance plans that do not completely cover physical therapy equipment as well as help the uninsured.