Cochlear Corporation Offers Fan Mail to Cheer Paralympic Athlete to the Gold

Help Cochlear Corporation support Kathy Urschel, a deaf-blind tandem cyclist, who is competing in the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia, October 18 - 29. Send an encouraging e-mail message to cheer her on in her quest for the gold by accessing her fan mail at www.cochlear.com. Fans will then be directed to a site offering detailed information about the paralympian and a link to send her mail. Urschel will respond to her fans while preparing for the Paralympics.

Kathy's Nucleus® cochlear implant enables her to hear racing commands from her pilot, Karla Bland, through a microphone wired from her jersey to Kathy's speech processor. Urschel received her implant in 1993 and uses it to excel in the sport she loves.

Among her athletic achievements, Kathy won a silver medal in tandem cycling at the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta, Georgia. As the first disabled female to compete in the 3,050 mile Race Across America (RAAM) in 1997, she completed the race in a record 6 days and 21 hours. In 1998, she was the only woman who completed the entire Transcontinental Triathlon - 3,400 miles in 9 ˝ weeks. More recently, she placed first at the Houston Coastal Invitationals, beating the previous world champions.

To contact Kathy Urschel or for more information on cochlear implants, visit www.cochlear.com.

For more information contact Kelly Laban at (203) 762-8833.

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