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Sam Bridgman Picture

Born 	5/23/91, where, (age 24) Residence Seattle Washington Nationality: American Alma mater University of Portland Career: Internship, Tampa Bay Lightning Sam Bridgman is an athlete and advocate for individuals diagnosed with Freidrich’s Ataxia. He currently attends graduate school at the University of South Florida working towards his MS MBA in Sports and Entertainment Management Contents Background Freidreich’s Ataxia Freidreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance Awards Volunteer Activities References External Links

Background

Sam grew up in Seattle Washington, passionate about sports and in love with baseball. During his freshman year at Nathan Hale High Schoo, Seattle Washington, he was diagnosed with Friederich’s Ataxia. Diminished coordination and strength eventually ended his life long dream of becoming a professional baseball player. Despite physical limitations, Sam continued to train his body like an athlete and participated in team sports as a manager. Sam also became an advocate for others restricted by chronic physical conditions. After high school he went on to earn a degree in finance from the University of Portland in 2013 and now attends graduate school at the University of South Florida.

Friedreich's Ataxia (FA) FA is an inherited progressive neurological disorder that results in loss of coordination in the arms and legs, fatigue, vision impairment, hearing loss, slurred speech and scoliosis. It can also result in diabetes and potentially life shortening cardiomyopathy. Most individuals diagnosed at an early age require assistive devises such as a walker or wheel chair by their early twenties. Current treatment focuses on symptoms. There is no cure for FA.

Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA)

FARA funds research focused on treatment and a cure for FA. Emerging treatments focus on quality of life and longevity. Funding also supports research addressing the cause of FA specifically frataxin production, iron sulfur clusters and mitochondrial function.

Awards

Student Leader of the Year, University of Portland 2013 Sam Bridgman Award, University of Portland 2013 Honorary Champion, Nathan Hale High School 2013 Insight Hall of Fame 2014

Volunteer Activities

FARA Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance Ride Ataxia Harper’s Playground Insight Oregon Disability Sports

External Links

Ride Ataxia rideataxia.org Sam Bridgman twitter Sam Bridgman face book

References

1. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/friedreichs_ataxia/detail_friedreichs_ataxia.htm

2. FARA http://www.curefa.org/index.php

3. Impossible is Nothing Vimeo https://vimeo.com/43579515

4. University of Portland Sam Bridgman Graduation You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZBkD0i8h-w

5. University of Portland Sam Bridgman Graduation You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZBkD0i8h-w

6. Sam Bridgman: University of Portland comes together to support one of it’s own, Special to the Oregonian, May 23, 2012 http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2012/05/sam_bridgman_the_university_of.html

7. Fox 12 Portland Man with Rare Disease Pedals on for a Cure 9/11/13, Oregonian http://www.kptv.com/story/23404715/portland-man-with-rare-disease-pedals-on-for-a-cure#ixzz3jf4YL1D9FARA curefa.org