Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Disabilities in Long Beach

The Citizens' Advisory Commission on Disabilities hosted a celebration in at the Long Beach Convention Center in honor of Disability Awareness Month. St. Mary Medical Center and Community Hospital of Long Beach provided free health screenings. There were also financial advice booths and information from agencies that work wtih people with disabilities, including: DOR, Easter Seals, Veteran's Administration, Social Security Administration, Disability Rights of California, IRS, Harbor Regional Center, Disable Resources Center, Long Beach Mental Health and many more.

Alyson had to the chance to meet many great people. Below are some pictures of those she was able to meet, sign autographs for, and take pictures with.

The United States Health Census Bureau was there. Please make sure you are counted in 2010's census! Click here to fill out the quick form. It's important that the government knows how many people there are with disabilities living in the United States so that we can get the service we need and are deserving of. I was told that children are the most under-counted, so be sure to include everyone in your household!

Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Various programs are carried out throughout the month to highlight the barriers that still need to be addressed and removed.

This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment actually began in 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month."

Alyson with Dora Hogan of the ADA/EEO Compliance office (below).

There was a very special performance by AbilityFirst where they signed to two different songs. It was beautiful!

Alyson with a hopeful potential contestant for Ms. Wheelchair California 2010!

The Ms. Wheelchair California Pageant was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Long Beach for our participation and all that we do for those in the disabled community!

"Night By the Ocean" - Life Rolls On's 6th Annual Gala

The 6th Annual "Night By the Ocean" benefiting "Life Rolls On" was held on Sunday, October 4th at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. What an amazing night to support what this organization does to help people realize that just because they have a disability doesn't mean they can't get out and surf! A lot of money was raised that evening as well as a great announcement was made!

Alyson joined Scott Caan on the red carpet in front of paparazzi as his father, James Caan, looked on. Scott helped Alyson in Malibu as well as at the U.S. Open of Surfing a few months ago.

Alyson Roth and Teal Sherer both completed rehabilitation at Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta, GA, though at different times. Teal was an encourager for Alyson when she got hurt and was a patient there nine years ago. Teal has accomplished amazing things as an actress in Hollywood. She caught her first wave on a recent trip to Costa Rica with another amazing organization called "Oceans Healing" and then again in America with Life Rolls On while in La Jolla recently.

Alyson with Patrick Ivison. Patrick has been working with Project Walk, a rehabilitation center to help people with spinal cord injuries get in better shape as well as retrain their muscles and nerves to walk again. Check out this cool video of all Patrick has accomplished! Click here. Mind you, Patrick was hurt in a car accident when he was a baby and is a complete quadriplegic. Simply amazing!

Daryl "Chill" Mitchell and Alyson Roth. Chill is on the Fox show "Brothers." Awesome!!

Alyson and her date, Scott Caan, as well as with his dad, James Caan (The Godfather), below.

Alyson had the opportunity to meet one of the most genuine and kind hearted woman, Anna Faris. Anna was in the movie "The House Bunny." Such a sweet and amazing woman with a heart of gold.

Simon Baker and Alyson reunite!

The big announcement of the evening was that Life Rolls on and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation are merging together to become one. What a fantastic partnership, and I look forward to this seed blooming into a beautiful organization to help millions of people around the world in so many ways! Read the press release here.

Finally, Brooke Burns received the first ever "Inspiration Award" for exuding courage, grace, and compassion after sustaining a spinal cord injury.

Thank you to all who participated and all the volunteers to make this a fantastic evening. Jessie Billauer, Josh Billauer, Meghan Schinderle, Kris Nakamura, and everyone at LRO.... you rock! Can't wait to get out into the water again at next year's events!

"Hollywood in New York" at benefiting CSUN Music Wellness Therapy Clinic

Alyson joined film and television stars in supporting Cal State Northridge’s Music Therapy Wellness Clinic at a family-centered celebration at the CBS Studio Center on Sunday, Oct. 4.

“Hollywood in New York” will raised funds for the CSUN Music Therapy Wellness Clinic. The clinic uses music to help children with various types of special needs such as Autism or Down syndrome. The clinic also addresses teenagers and adults who need support in daily living skills as well as those who are seeking wellness in their lives.

Among the celebrities that attended the event were Joe Manganiello who has starred in such films as “Spider-man” and “Spider-man 3″ and such television shows as “One Tree Hill” and “How I Met Your Mother;” Stacey Oristano, star of “Friday Night Lights;” Justine Wachsberger, star of “Sorority Row” and the upcoming “Twilight Saga: New Moon;" and Angela Maria Dixon of the movie "Internet Dating."

The event was on the New York Street backlot of CBS Studio Center located at 4024 Radford Ave. in Studio City. The backlot is home to such shows as “CSI: New York,” “Seinfeld” and “Will and Grace.”

Alyson Roth on the Red Carpet with Justine Wachsberger, Joe Manganiello, and Stacey Oristano (L-R).

Alyson Roth with Angela Dixon and her mother (below).

There was a fantastic band who played "oldies but goodies" as everyone danced and had a lot of fun! Of course, Alyson had to join in on the excitement of the day!

The real stars of the show were the singers from this amazing program! Thank you for a fantastic day of fun in Hollywood!