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People with disabilities will also be pampered with free hair cuts, manicures, and makeovers



L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Gustavo Oñate Familia Unida Living with Multiple Sclerosis 2nd Annual Wheelchair Wash, July 31, 2005

Los Angeles, CA--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--July 20, 2006--To build an appreciation for the challenges that people living with a disability face everyday, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will join individuals with disabilities, family and friends, and hundreds of community volunteers at the Familia Unida Living with Multiple Sclerosis (FULWMS) 3rd Annual Wheelchair Wash, Saturday, July 29, 2006, from 9-5 p.m. at Centro Maravilla, 4716 E. Cesar E. Chavez Avenue, in East Los Angeles.

“It’s a distinct honor to share this day with courageous individuals who live with MS and other disabilities, but who are determined to overcome their debilitating illnesses,” said Mayor Villaraigosa, who also participated in last year’s event. “Familia Unida has given these special individuals the tools and confidence they need to enjoy active and productive lives.”

Organizers of the wheelchair wash, which is free and open to the public, will also roll out the red carpet to welcome people with disabilities and provide them with a well-deserved “Day of Pampering and Beauty.” After the washing the wheelchairs, they will receive free haircuts, manicures, makeovers and massages.

The festivities will also feature live music, ballet folklorico performances by Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo, in addition to arts and crafts, and face painting for young people. Parking is available at the Brooklyn Elementary School across the street. Those living with a disability must call (323) 261-5565 or (877) 298-3267 as soon as possible to register for the event, or visit http://www.msfamiliaunida.org to register online on donate.

“The wheelchair wash celebrates life and provides an uplifting experience for individuals who face emotional and physical challenges everyday,” said Irma Resendez, FULWMS founder and president, who was stricken with MS at the age of 28 and, since then, has dedicated her life to addressing the needs of people with disabilities.

“Individuals with MS and other diseases are real people, like you and me, with hopes, fears and aspirations. As a community, we need to do everything we can to remind individuals that they are not alone,” she said.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, October 1999, (using national percentages of 20.6% - County of L.A. statistical data), over 2 million residents of Los Angeles County have some kind of disability.

The event marks the 16th Anniversary of The Americans Disability Act of 1990, which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities.

This year’s presenting sponsors of Familia Unida’s 3rd Annual Wheelchair Wash are Blue Cross of California and Creatable Inflatables. This event is also supported in part by AARP, AltaMed Health Services, Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo, Chivas USA, Coca-Cola, Comedian Shayla Rivera, CVS/pharmacy, Dos Hermanos Restaurant, El Clasificado, El Gallo Giro, Health Net, Hispanic PR Wire, KMEX Univision 34, L.A. Care Health Plan, La Opinión, Metro, Montebello Beauty College, Public Relations Society of America, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, The California Endowment, The Walt Disney Company, Union Bank of California and Univision Radio.

About Familia Unida

Founded in 1998 by Irma Resendez (after her own diagnosis of MS which left her paralyzed for almost a year), Familia Unida Living with Multiple Sclerosis is the first bilingual English-Spanish multiple sclerosis non-profit organization in the United States serving thousand of individuals and families affected by multiple sclerosis and other debilitating diseases in the greater Los Angeles area. There are over 500,000 people living with multiple sclerosis in the United States and over 200 individuals newly diagnosed every week. This census does not include the many that are misdiagnosed or not counted due to language and cultural barriers. Today, there is no cure.

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