The MacWheelers exercise and wellness program offers specialized twice-weekly exercise training for adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) living in the Hamilton community. It is the only program of its kind in the city, located in the Centre for Health Promotion and Rehabilitation at McMaster University.

All MacWheeler participants are prescribed an exercise program incorporating both strength and endurance activities based on individual needs and capabilities. Sessions are supervised by trained staff and facilitated by undergraduate and graduate student volunteers in the Department of Kinesiology.

An important feature of the program is the one-on-one training assistance provided by our student volunteers during the exercise sessions. As well, participants will attest to the positive social environment at MacWheelers, provided both from being able to exercise in a non-clinical environment and from interacting with their peers.

The MacWheeler program is an excellent example of putting McMaster research into practice in the form of community outreach.

We rely heavily on fundraising initiatives, donations and membership fees to help keep this program (and all the specialized equipment) operational.

Please help support the MacWheelers by purchasing a beautiful poinsettia plant for only $10. The plants come in a foil-wrapped six-inch pot, and are available in red, pink or white.

To order a plant(s), just fill out an order form and e-mail it to bwstt@mcmaster.ca or fax to 905-525-7629.

All orders need to be submitted by Thursday, Nov. 22. Plants will be delivered to the Centre for Health Promotion and Rehabilitation on Thursday, Dec. 6 and can be picked up there.