Are You Able? Challenge Kids & Adult Event
Board member Dan Wortman and daughter Amanda
Saturday February 27th marked our 3rd year hosting the “Are You Able?” event. This event is aimed to open eyes and change some perceptions of what a disabled person faces on a daily basis. Along with our philosophy of promoting active lifestyles, we took to sport to get the message across. Football, hockey, golf, basketball, Krankcycling and an obstacle course were included, with one catch: all participants had to perform these events from a wheelchair.
The obstacle course simulated what someone with a disability, who mainly uses a wheelchair to get around, deals with daily. The 2-lane course included obstacles like opening and passing through a door, going over uneven surfaces, wheeling over plush carpet and up and down a hill. The set up created a fun race against the person in the next lane! A little friendly competition ensued, as in years past, but the point we were trying to make was well received by all in attendance.
Matt Jackson repping it out on the Krankcycle
The new IM ABLE Krankcycles were a huge hit, drawing crowds to egg on competitors for max revolutions in one minute. These arm powered spin bikes showed everyone just how challenging it is to ride using arm power rather than leg power, as those who have lower body impairments must do if they want to ride a bike. From the looks on competitors’ faces, it was a long minute!!!
This year we also added a kids’ event so they could experience the same sports and fun time that their parents were able to try. We had almost 70 children in attendance ranging from very young to pre-teens. Having fun and being able to sit in a wheelchair gave these kids a better understanding of disabilities. It is our hope that by teaching them about disabilities and letting them share a fun experience, they will be more accepting of their disabled peers. Kids are a great example of understanding as long as they are exposed early to the differences of some of their peers. When a child comes up to me and asks what happened to my legs I am happy to answer and once I do they move on. I think a lot of adults, who might never have been exposed to someone who is disabled, can learn a lot about acceptance from our younger generation.
Check out our gallery for additional pics from the event and IM ABLE
View from behind the football toss
