[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 475-476]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             THE WALKABOUT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize a great 
organization that has helped so many disabled individuals: the 
Walkabout Foundation. This terrific organization was founded by 
siblings Luis and Carolina Gonzalez-Bunster.
  Sixteen years ago when he was 18 years old, Luis was in a car 
accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Luis was not 
going to allow this tragedy to define him or limit his ability to lead 
a full life. Just a few months after his accident, Luis moved to south 
Florida and enrolled at my alma mater, the University of Miami. Soon 
after, Luis started driving again and began to live on his own.
  Leading an active lifestyle, which included being an avid swimmer, 
Luis took advantage of the University of Miami's extensive and 
accessible facilities. However, during a trip to the Connecticut YMCA a 
couple of years ago, Luis could not access the indoor swimming pool, so 
Luis and Carolina decided to take action.
  Not only did they promote awareness of paralysis and disabilities in 
their community, but they also made the Connecticut YMCA accessible for 
all the disabled.

                              {time}  1830

  Out of this victory, the Walkabout Foundation was born.
  The Walkabout Foundation's mission is twofold: first, to actively 
pursue a cure for paralysis by helping fund research programs; and, 
second, to provide wheelchairs to those who cannot afford one.
  The foundation's unique efforts have garnered widespread support and 
attention. What makes the Walkabout Foundation singular is its drive to 
make sure that disabled individuals continue to lead full and active 
lives. This is due to Luis' character and unyielding belief that people 
should not be victims of their circumstances.
  The Walkabout Foundation has not limited its services and generosity 
to just our Nation. Last month, the foundation provided 200 wheelchairs 
to Haiti in addition to the 400 they had already donated last year.
  As someone who has seen the devastation and the human tragedy that 
has befallen the poor island nation of Haiti since last year's tragic 
earthquake, I know the impact and benefit the efforts of Luis and 
Carolina will bring to help the lives of so many disabled individuals 
in Haiti.
  They have also provided 100 wheelchairs to the Dominican Republic. 
These wheelchairs will go to children, teenagers and adults afflicted 
by paralysis, polio, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, as well as to 
amputees.
  I commend Luis, Carolina and their Walkabout Foundation for all that

[[Page 476]]

they do. They are truly an inspiration for all.

                          ____________________