Paralyzed Extreme Water Sports Enthusiasts Selling Calendars to Raise Money for Rehabilitation

A photographer and former extreme water sports junkie, once strangers have now become friends and team mates.

Both share the love for the Central Coast, and they are using that passion to help raise money for a good cause.

Kinsley ThomasWong was a leader in bringing extreme water sports to the Central Coast; from kite boarding, scuba diving, and paragliding, he would take people out on the ocean.

ThomasWong explained, “I just love the outdoors and I love to share it with everyone.”

But his adventures were cut short by a tragic accident.

“Four years ago, I was kite boarding up the coast at Pickle Creek, and it was at the end of the day and it was really gusty wind. I don’t recall the accident, but I got pulled into the rocks and broke my neck,” said ThomasWong.

Kinsley injured his back from C3 to C7 and is now paralyzed from the neck down, but that does not stop him from being active.

“Every day, I have my friend Lucas here and he comes and helps me. We work out on the bike right here, its called a Functional Electrical Stimulation bike,” explained ThomasWong.

The stimulation bike keeps Kinsley moving. He rides several hours a day to keep his muscles strong, but the equipment is not covered through insurance.

Jamie ThomasWong, Kinsley’s wife, said, “His work outs on the bike, his trainer, everything else that he does to keep himself going, the equipment that he needs in order to work his computer, all of that are things that we pay for out of pocket to keep him going.”

Kinsley has found a way to help raise money for his activities through web design, and that is when he found Central Coast Pictures owner and photographer Amy Joseph.

Joseph said, “Kinsley just contacted me through Facebook and he told me that he wanted to do a fundraiser and that he wanted to use my pictures for the calendar. I was really honored actually.”

After several months of planning, Kinsley designed the entire calendar with his hands-free computer device, which showcases Amy’s photos.

The calendars are now ready, but beyond the fundraising and photos Kinsley continues to have an optimistic outlook on life.

ThomasWong said, “It’s most important in life that when have a lot of challenges in life to just keep on moving forward. Nothing’s going to stop us.”

For more information on the 2015 calendars and Kinsely go to:

http://kinsleydonation.weebly.com/index.html

http://xtremebigair.com/2015-California-Central-Coast-Calendar-P1737.aspx