Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to be featured on TLC's American Chopper

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to be featured on TLC's American Chopper

Episode to unveil Orange County Choppers' first-ever wheelchair-accessible motorcycle

SHORT HILLS, N.J., Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation announced today that Paul Teutul Sr. and the crew from Orange County Choppers (OCC) have built a custom wheelchair-accessible motorcycle specifically to raise funds for the Reeve Foundation. A first of its kind, this trike bike allows someone living with paraplegia the opportunity to ride a motorcycle without having to transfer from their wheelchair.

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The American Chopper episode featuring the Reeve Foundation/Life Rolls On bike is scheduled to air on TLC on Thursday, January 7 at 9PM ET/PT.

"Earlier this year, we approached the OCC team with the idea of creating a fully accessible, custom chopper, like only Paul's team at OCC could design and produce. Not only did they jump at the opportunity, but they embraced it and took it to a level we could have only imagined," said Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Reeve Foundation.

Paul Teutul Sr., founder of Orange County Choppers based in Newburgh, New York, remarked, "This bike represents freedom and independence to someone living with paralysis. It provides a paralyzed individual the opportunity to partake in an activity they love doing, regardless of the chair. This chopper was by far the biggest challenge of any bike we've ever created, however, it was our honor and pleasure to participate."

Orange County Choppers, a leading manufacturer of custom motorcycles, built the custom chopper in about eight weeks. It was unveiled at the Reeve Foundation's annual signature gala, "A Magical Evening" in New York. The bike is designed so someone can operate it without assistance. It includes a five speed, hand-controlled transmission with reverse, a built-in electric ramp that rises and declines at the touch of a button, so the wheelchair can easily roll into place, automatically lock in and then roll out and can travel up to 110 MPH.

To spread awareness and raise funds for the Reeve Foundation's critical mission of Care and Cure, American Chopper fans and Reeve Foundation supporters are encouraged to host viewing parties on January 7th. "We are inviting people to gather their friends and make a small donation to join the party. Please check your local viewing times and tune in January 7th," added Wilderotter.

As further incentive, the party that raises the most money for the Reeve Foundation will win a special "behind-the-scenes" VIP tour of the OCC facility for four people. For more information, to host or attend a Reeve Foundation American Chopper viewing party, please visit www.ChristopherReeve.org/OCC.

About the Reeve Foundation

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. For more information, and to review the entire list of Quality of Life grant recipients, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.

About Orange County Choppers

Headquartered in Newburgh, NY, Orange County Choppers is regarded as one of the world's premier builders of custom and production motorcycles. The OCC shop is featured on American Chopper, a reality television series that chronicles the lives of the OCC crew as they battle impossible deadlines to create outrageous custom chopper creations. The show, which has contributed to the company's quick rise to fame, debuted in September 2002 on the Discovery Channel and in 2007, Discovery Channel's sister station, TLC, took over the broadcasting and it now airs on Thursday nights at 9pm ET/PT. For more information, visit www.orangecountychoppers.com

About TLC

TLC's innovative docu-series and reality-based programming include favorites Jon & Kate Plus 8, Little People, Big World, What Not to Wear, 18 Kids and Counting, Say Yes to the Dress, and LA Ink. TLC added to its menu of programming with Cake Boss and Ultimate Cake Off, and continues to expand into the food genre. TLC's daytime lineup includes the Emmy Award-winning A Baby Story. The channel is available in more than 98 million homes in the US, nearly 8 million homes in Canada and through the website at www.tlc.com. TLC is part of Discovery Communications (NASDAQ:DISCA) (NASDAQ:DISCB) (NASDAQ:DISCK) , the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries.

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AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: TLC

CONTACT: Media, Maggie Goldberg of Reeve Foundation, 1-800-225-0292,
media@ChristopherReeve.org; or Michele Paolella of OCC, +1-845-522-5255,
Michele@orangecountychoppers.com; or Shannon Martin of TLC, +1-240-662-3004,
Shannon.Martin@Discovery.com

Web Site: http://www.tlc.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment