Marc-Andre Belliveau Paralyzed

[MAB fan club]

For Immediate Release
10 April 2006

MARC-ANDRE BELLIVEAU PARALYZED IN SKI ACCIDENT

Vancouver, B.C. -- Marc-Andre Belliveau suffered a tragic accident on Monday, April 3, while skiing in the British Columbia interior, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Stand Strong Again has established a fund for all friends, fans and fellow skiers to help Marc pay medical expenses and rebuild his life. Visit http://www.StandStrongAgain.org to make a contribution.

Visibility was poor on the day of the accident, and Marc lost his line in a technical area. He attempted to find his route down, but instead hit rocks that sent him tumbling into bigger, jagged rocks. Marc lost feeling in his legs immediately. After he was flown to the hospital, doctors discovered that he fractured his spine and permanently damaged his spinal cord.

Marc will remain in the Vancouver General Hospital until he can be transported home to Quebec, possibly in three to four weeks. Still less than a week after his accident, Marc is currently suffering severe pain and mental anguish, but staying positive by visiting with friends, listening to music, and dedicating himself to his rehabilitation.

“Marc-Andre is still himself, joking with his visitors and nurses, and singing songs,” said his sister, Rachel. “But there is a very long road ahead of him with a new reality we need to prepare for.”

Marc-Andre has brought passion, progression and panache to the ski industry over the past seven years. He made a grand entry into the scene in 1999 when he took third place at the U.S. Freeskiing Open Slopestyle Competition, which sparked a sponsorship with Volkl skis. Volkl gave him a travel budget, which allowed Marc to compete in New Zealand. There he met Steve Rozendaal, who invited him to film with Volume Video Magazine in Utah.

“I could see the passion in Marc from the start,” said Rozendaal. “He was willing to make it happen in any conditions and loved every second of it.”

While in Utah, Marc fell in love with backcountry skiing and even found a way to burn through three snowmobiles in as many years during his quest for easy-access to fresh powder. He produced mind-blowing segments in Teton Gravity Research films for six years and traveled across Europe, including places like Bulgaria and Turkey, as well as to Chile and Alaska. He was considered one of the best all-around skiers in the world.

Life after 26 will be vastly different for Marc. He will need all the support of family, friends and the industry that he contributed so much to. Marc and his family appreciate any help you can give.

StandStrongAgain.org is pleased to announce that current financial donations and pledges will be dedicated to help cover the costs of helping Marc adjust to his life after the accident. The adjustment costs are significant and include medical expenses, physical therapy and modifications to his house to make it wheelchair accessible, to name a few. To learn more about challenges facing those with spinal cord injuries, please visit The National Spinal Cord Injury Association at www.spinalcord.org.

Stand Strong Again was formed in 2005, shortly after professional freeskier Lars Veen from Norway suffered a crash that left him without feeling or function below his chest. The mission of Stand Strong Again is to raise money from the action sports community to fund quality of life initiatives for people with spinal cord injuries, particularly those who suffered injuries as a result of action sports, and to fund spinal cord injury research that will lead to a cure.

The family requests that letters be sent to Marc in lieu of phone calls.

Vancouver General Hospital
c/o Marc-Andre Belliveau
855 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9
CANADA

###

[meatdrink9]

Stay positive. I pray something can still be done. Hope.

[DePierre]

This still isnt a reality for me. I can't believe it.

[H-man]

Very sad news ideed. Marc is and will continue to be one of the brightest personalities in the sport of freeskiing.

[warthog]

Are you kidding me? This year is unreal.

Others have recovered from these injuries. Keep the faith.

[Barnballs]

this shit sucks.

be strong Marc.

[iskibc]

Very sad indeed. Marc is a very happy go-lucky type of guy. Doesn't deserve this.

[pattyowe]

This news still hasnt hit me full on yet, I cant get over that one wrong move (for any of us) can leave us paralyzed. Our hearts are with you Marc.

[P_McPoser]

I don't know what to say. I've seen this happen to two close friends, one from BMX racing, one from motocross.......It devastates everyone even closely associated.....best of luck to Marc and his family and close friends.

[bdog]

Not good at all. Thinking and sending +++++++ vibes. Be strong.

[Black Market]

truly terrible news......was hoping it wasnt true.......

[Hugh Jass]

Stay positive mang. You have alot of people pulling for you.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[grapedrink]

This news still hasnt hit me full on yet, I cant get over that one wrong move (for any of us) can leave us paralyzed. Our hearts are with you Marc.

one wrong move can leave you dead.

[dirtybryan]

I don't what to say, but I'm sure he will overcome this setback in one way or another as most athletes of his caliber do and continue to impress us.

[midget]

Holy shit. I don't know what to say except this is horrible and Marc is probably the most down to earth and nicest of any of the pro skiers I have met in my day so far. That and an amazing skier. If anyone can get through this and still have a smile on his face it's him. I hope for the best for Marc-Andre.

[truth]

Heartbreaking.

Prayers and vibes sent your way MAB. I believe in miracles.

[beaterdit]

This is just terrible. Stay strong Marc.

[bossass]

I feel so sick right now.

I only met him briefly back in late feb., but listening to him tell stories about skiing and about people, you could tell he is one of the good guys.

If I never made a turn again so he could, I'd do it. He deserves it for what he brings to the sport.

I can't even put my sadness into words. Keep your head up, Marc.

[soul_skier]

so depressed right now, so many bad things happening recently, many positive vibes!!!!!!!

[grskier]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++vibes


geez, this year has seriously taken it's tole.....

[meatdrink9]

I have a feeling TGR's movie for this season is going to make me cry.

+++++Praying for a miracle+++++

[Greydon Clark]

Heart breaking.

[The Kids Are Alright]

I still cant believe this is true. if anyone can recover from this, is MAB. Hes simply the man. i love the little blurb he does for the Soul Purpose extras. that shits funny. ++++++++vibes+++++++++

[gonzo]

If I never made a turn again so he could, I'd do it. He deserves it for what he brings to the sport.

Seconded. I feel this way 100%.

I hope the folks at TGR or where ever will keep getting MAB clips into films - you are a funny mother f-er Marc! STAY STRONG!

[XtrPickels]

Fuck

Mark, if you read this, then you'll know how much love everyone has had for you. Thankyou for everything you've brought to the sport, thanks for making me envious, thanks for killin it.

Most of all, thank you for having such a great time out there on the hill. Thats why we're all here and not many other pro's have shown their love of life on the hill like you have.