Wheels in Motion supports MacWheelers
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/macwheelers.jpg” caption=”Kinesiologist Audrey Hicks talks with Joe Guitard, who has been a MacWheeler for four years and uses the facilities twice a week to help strengthen his muscles, and in effect, maintain his independence. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay”]McMaster students, faculty, staff and alumni will run, walk, roll and wheel a 15-kilometer course in support of the MacWheeler program.
On Sunday, June 12, two McMaster teams will participate in The Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion event, committed to improving the 'quality of life' of people living with spinal cord injury. This year, proceeds from the event will support the MacWheeler program, a community-based program offering individualized exercise training for people with spinal cord injury, located in the Ivor Wynne building in the Center for Health Promotion and Rehabilitation.
The Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion Event is a Canada-wide fundraiser that takes place in early June every year. In addition to the walk, wheel, ride or run event around Hamilton's Bayfront Park, there will be displays, an obstacle course and food available at the park.
Two McMaster teams are taking part in the relay – “MAC Attack!”, led by kinesiology professor Audrey Hicks, and “Jake and Friends”, put together by MacWheeler Jake Lawless.
Lawless is this year's local ambassador for the Rick Hansen foundation. He uses the facilities four times a week, twice as a MacWheeler and twice with the Body Weight Support Treadmill Training Program.
“It is extremely important to support this program because there is no other place for people with spinal cord injuries to exercise at,” he says “It provides physical fitness as well as social support. Both of these lead to greater independence and freedom. The program also got me interested in returning to school and since I have been involved have nearly completed my undergraduate degree.”
To sponsor either of these teams visit www.rickhansen.com and identify the team name or name of the team captain. Pledge forms also are available for those who prefer a paper donation. Tax receipts are issued for any donation more than $20.
Of the proceeds raised through the Wheels in Motion event, 50 per cent will support Hamilton community projects, and 75 per cent of that will be donated to MacWheelers. The money received from this year's event will be used to help support the salary of a MacWheeler program coordinator and will help purchase new equipment for the Centre.
MacWheelers, an exercise program for people with spinal cord injury, was born out of research studies done by the kinesiology department at McMaster. It is one of three community-based exercise service programs offered in the Centre for Health Promotion and Rehabilitation. Also located in the centre are the MacTurtles (for cardiac patients) and MacSeniors (for senior citizens). Graduate students in exercise rehabilitation and exercise psychology get involved in many of the ongoing research studies with the Centre.
