Host Molly Sims introduced the designers at the star-studded event, see for yourself!

Gen Art “New Garde” Sizzle Reel from Plastics Make it Possible on Vimeo.

Help Plastics Make it Possible^SM support the Athletes with Disabilities Network (ADN) to promote a better quality of life and create opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities.

Plastics Make it Possible^SM will match up to $25,000 in donations pledged through April 30, 2010, to help tomorrow’s athletes.

Make a donation now!

Did You Know?

• Plastics help make prostheses that are lighter, stronger, more flexible and more functional than ever before.
• Use of prosthetic limbs dates back to Ancient Egypt when arms, legs and even big toes were fashioned out of wood, leather and cloth. Take a look at our fact sheet and timeline to see how far prosthetics have come over the centuries.
• Made of plastic, aluminum and composite materials, which allow for patient-molded and individually fitted prostheses, today’s devices are more functional, durable and comfortable than ever before. With the advent of computer chips and robotics, prostheses have crossed over from providing basic functionality, to helping return amputees to their accustomed lifestyles.

Check out two-time Paralympian John Register’s story here:

Plastics Make it Possible^SM celebrates all the athletes participating in the 2010 Paralympic Games and is honored to support the Athletes with Disabilities Network to inspire Paralympians of the future.

Our partners:

Athletes with Disabilities Network
Ohio Willow Wood
John Register

People who want to help can visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com/support to make a donation as small as $1 to ADN to help inspire athletes with disabilities to become the Paralympians of the future. Plastics Make it PossibleSM will match the first $25,000 in donations made through April 30. In just three weeks, this program could generate $50,000 in needed funds.

“Organizations like the Athletes with Disabilities Network can make such an amazing difference in people’s lives, helping them through what is otherwise a very traumatic time dealing with the loss of a limb. Being an amputee myself, I know how important that is,” said John Register, a former Paralympian who lost his left leg below the knee and now serves as a motivational speaker. “Participating in sports can really help amputees feel ‘normal’ again and today’s prostheses made from plastic, aluminum and composite materials are so well-designed and functional, that virtually no activity is out-of-reach.”

Modern prostheses have been revolutionized by plastic materials that help make them stronger, lighter, more flexible and realistic, to mimic the function of natural limbs. Made of plastic, aluminum and composite materials that allow for patient-molded and individually fitted prostheses, today’s devices are more functional, durable and comfortable than ever. Also, with the advent of microprocessors, computer chips and robotics, prostheses have crossed over from just providing basic functionality, to helping return amputees to the lifestyle they were accustomed to, and sometimes enabling them to push their bodies to farther limits than non-disabled athletes.

“From carbon fiber technology used for shock absorption to custom-fitted sockets made from resilient polycarbonates, plastics are a vital part of the innovative, active prostheses that are used by disabled athletes in the Paralympics and any sports they typically enjoy,” said Steve Russell, vice president, Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council. “The Paralympics are a wonderful demonstration of what these amazing athletes can do in spite of amputations or other disabilities, and we are thrilled to be able to raise money for an organization like the Athletes with Disabilities Network to help inspire a whole new generation of athletes.”

Established in 2009, ADN promotes a better quality of life by creating opportunities for people with physical disabilities. ADN operates and organizes the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, the only Hall of Fame completely dedicated to honoring individuals with disabilities for sport and recreation achievement, and Extremity Games, an international extreme sports competition for athletes living with limb loss or limb difference.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 1.7 million amputees in the United States. The makers of plastic prosthetic technologies remain committed to developing breakthrough devices to help disabled people live fuller, more active lives.

“For many people who have suffered the trauma of limb loss, getting involved in sports and continuing to pursue activities that they previously enjoyed can make a huge difference in their recoveries, self-confidence and quality of life,” said Elizabeth Taylor, executive director of ADN. “We’ve seen firsthand how innovations in prosthetic technology have helped athletes to not only overcome the trauma of limb loss, but flourish in international events like the Paralympics as well as our own Extremity Games. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Plastics Make it Possible^SM to help inspire a whole new generation of disabled athletes to ‘go for the gold’.”