Ritter emulates everyday how to overcome obstacles and climb any mountain, no matter the challenge. After losing use of his legs due to a failed back surgery in 1988, Ritter visited Tampa and found a community and culture that was very supportive of individuals with disabilities, especially those who had served in the military. This visit led him to find employment and move to Tampa. Since his move in 1997, Ritter has been an advocate for persons with disabilities. He has been instrumental in ensuring public spaces such as Sparkman Wharf, Riverfront Park and Raymond James Stadium were easily accessible and ADA compliant. Ritter's advocacy for infrastructure improvements in the area and societal acceptance for persons with disabilities puts them on a level playing field with all citizens in the pursuit of happiness.
The grant tonight will be used to strengthen and build the capacity of an array of services. Self-Reliance plans to strengthen their ramp program, durable medical equipment program, grassroots support group events, and educational programs for the deaf and hard of hearing consumers. All of these improvements will result in three modified ramps over the next year, the ability to rent handicap accessible vehicles for 24 months, drivers education teaching for the deaf and hard of hearing, and two additional events over the next year.
Ritter became the 475th Lightning Community Hero since Jeff and Penny Vinik introduced the Lightning Community Hero program in 2011-12 with a $10 million, five-season commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Through tonight's game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $24.85 million to more than 600 unique nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2021, the Viniks announced that the community hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.
