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October 11, 2009

Raisin to speak at disabilities employment luncheon

Mark Millican

Saul Raisin, a former professional cyclist and native Daltonian, will be the keynote speaker at the Whitfield-Murray Disabilities Employment Awareness annual awards luncheon on Wednesday. The event is at Cohutta Springs Adventist Conference Center at 1175 Cohutta Springs Road in Crandall beginning at 11:30 a.m.

“He will tell the story about the crash that almost killed him,” said his father, Jim Raisin. “His message is don’t give up hope if something similar has happened — things can get better for you.”

Raisin said his son is “still recovering.”

“A brain injury is a lifelong thing,” Jim Raisin explained. “He’s doing much better, and his friends also say they can really tell a difference in how far he’s come. He’s come a long way in the three-and-a-half years since the wreck, and the doctors are surprised with his recovery.”

Raisin has written a book titled “Tour de Life: From Coma to Competition” detailing his struggle following the career-ending bike injury during competition in 2006. He was named Best Young Rider during the 2003 Tour de Georgia. The Raisin Hope Foundation was established in 2007 to benefit people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.

There will also be an auction conducted by auctioneer Nick Smith to benefit the awareness committee. For information, call the Dalton office of the Georgia Department of Labor at (706) 272-2303.

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