Surfing in Malibu with Life Rolls On!

Alyson had the opportunity to participate in another surfing event with the non-profit, "Life Rolls On," which provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in action sports again. And what a day this was!

Alyson arriving and signing in. She's ready to go surfing!

The entire group of participants, volunteers, and sponsors. "Life Rolls On"

really knows how to gain support!

Alyson with LRO supporter, Simon Baker.

Alyson with Scott Caan, another fantastic volunteer that day! He was right
by Alyson's side the entire time while out in the water!

Ms. Wheelchair CA, Alyson Roth, and 1st Runner Up, Jennifer Kumiyama, had the
chance to take pictures with "Life Rolls On" founder, Jessie Billauer (middle).

Alyson Roth and Jessie Billauer with Anthony Kiedis (middle).

Here is the entire Blue Team that helped Alyson into the water and helped
her catch about five waves (including 2 wipe outs).

EXTRA! television was there for Life Rolls On and asked to interview Alyson after she came out of the water. What a treat! And not only that, but she had the opportunity to interview CBS's "The Mentalist" star, Simon Baker.

How can you not smile at Life Rolls On supporter, Simon Baker? He was one of the hardest working volunteers out there that day. He never stopped, and was always there when a participant needed him.

Here is a more in-depth interview by Extra (aired on July 21, 2009).

Again, a huge thanks to Life Rolls On and their fantastic outreach programs for people with spinal cord injuries and disabilities in general. You make life that much more valuable to people everywhere!

Angel's Baseball!

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim has a long history with California. The present-day Angels franchise began play as the Los Angeles Angels in 1961. Owned by actor Gene Autry and his wife Jackie, they played their inaugural season at Wrigley Field in South Los Angeles. During the 1964 season, Gene Autry struck a deal with the city of Anaheim on a new stadium for the Angels. The team changed its name to California Angels late in the 1965 season, as they were the only American League team in the state at the time, and moved to the city-owned Anaheim Stadium in 1966.

The "Big A," as they call it, is a big trademark in Southern California. Each time the Angel's win a baseball game, the halo around the top of the "A" lights up and flashes so that every passerby on the 5 freeway (located right next to the stadium) knows that the Angels had a victory! Here is Alyson in front of this historical symbol.

Alyson found a truck that was completely decked out in tribute to the Angels Baseball team! She had to get a picture in front of it!

Everyone loves baseball, inlcuding Alyson. In fact, she grew up hitting baseballs off of her brother's pitching machine in the backyard as a little girl (before she had to use a wheelchair). She has attended many baseball games throughout the years, and the Angels is definitely one of her favorites!

Alyson Surfs with actor Simon Baker

Press Release announcing that Alyson will be one of the people surfing this weekend with actor Simon Baker of CBS's "The Mentalist" and Scott Caan of the "Ocean's" trilogy as well as professional surfer Rob Machado. Click on the picture to read the article.

Fourth of July Parade - Morgan Hill, CA

To help celebrate the birth of our great country, Alyson Roth participated in the 115th Morgan Hill Fourth of July Parade. The theme this year was "A Salute to America's Heroes," and the entire event is coordinated each year since around 1973 by Bob and Maureen Hunt. The work they do and the volunteers that help out is simply a production in and of itself! It's spectacular!

Below is Ms. Roth on the flight to San Jose preparing for the parade which will happen early the next morning.
Over 50,000 people come from all over Santa Clara County to watch this parade. The streets are packed with families as they prepare to yell, cheer, and wave at the people in the parade.

Santa Clara County has a wonderful transportation system called "ParaTransit" (Outreach) which helped pick up Ms. Wheelchair California and bring her to where she needed to be. The festivities began early (about 8am), but the parade itself did not begin until 10am. Yes, Ms. Wheelchair California is a V.I.P!

Below is "The Grange" which served as the meeting place for all the volunteers, staff, and V.I.P.'s. It is one of the few historical buildings still left in this close knit community and once served as an elementary school.

We were greeted with these signs as we entered into the parade reminding everyone on a float or in a car to smile, look sharp, and don't lag!

Ms. Wheelchair California, Alyson Roth's, car was a black Thunderbird convertible. It was a great car to ride in for the parade!

Alyson was able to meet up with Eliza Riley, MWCC Ambassador, while in Morgan Hill since she lives nearby. She was also able to be in the parade behind Alyson. It was good to see her again!

So many people anxiously await this day, and as you can see by the pictures below, they pack into ever nook and cranny along the parade path that they can to get a good view!

Here she comes! Ms. Wheelchair California, Alyson Roth!

The view from Alyson's spot. She followed a Boy Scouts float with a dancing Santa Claus on it. It was hard competition! Behind Alyson was Eliza Riley's car, and then the one and only Elvis was behind her!

There was an "Announcer's Stage" at four different locations on the parade route. Each time a new float/car passed by, the announcer would inform the audience about who they represented. It was encouraging to see so many people cheer, clap, and yell your name as you passed them by!


Turning the last corner of the parade... an hour and fifteen minutes later! The parade route was only a little over a mile long, but it took that long to get around the block!

Participating in the Morgan Hill 4th of July Parade was such a memorable experience. It's easy to see why people come from all over to the county to make this a tradition with their family. Everyone in this community is supportive, helpful, and friendly, and if you haven't been to see this parade yet, you need to! The Ms. Wheelchair California organization looks forward to being back with everyone again next year!

Surfing in Huntington Beach

Alyson spent the day surfing about a month ago with Life Rolls On in Huntington Beach. Several media crews were there. Here is a portion of what was filmed!

Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)

Ms. Wheelchair California, Alyson Roth, and First Runner Up, Jennifer Kumiyama visited children who were patients at CHOC this afternoon.  What a difficult but rewarding day!

There were many children who were admitted into CHOC for various reasons, but probably the hardest was visiting the children on the 3rd floor who have cancer.  Cancer does not have an age limit and is not gender specific.  It attacks any and all people, and many times without warning.  The youngest person they met was only 18 months old, and she was diagnosed at 9 months old.  Her grandmother stays with her during the day while mom and dad work, dad comes to stay with her in the evenings, and mom stays with her during the weekends.  Words don't express the amount of sympathy that goes out to these families who endure so much heartache, grief, and pain for their children.

One of the first patients Alyson and Jennifer met was an 8 year old girl named Kayla.  She was busy painting with her mother and grandmother, but quickly turned to playing a version of Monopoly called "Dog-opoly."  Supposedly, she always wins!  Below is a picture of her with Alyson (left) and Jennifer (right).

Finally, they met a patient who had just been admitted.  It was her first day.  The 12 year old, Jennifer, seemed nervous as she sat in her hospital bed with her 14 year old sister sitting next to her.  Trying to put yourself in her shoes was almost mind-blowing.  One can only imagine if you've never experienced the devastating effect of cancer.

May God be with and comfort the patients, family members, and friends of each of these little angels.  Each are already survivors.

Meeting Mr. Jay

Alyson had the privilege of meeting the founder and creator of the Jay Cushion, Mr. Rich Jay.  Thanks for creating a great cushion for those of us who need it!