Three of our research assistants attended a TRAILS cycling activity today, where they got to meet participants and learn more about the program. TRAILS (Technology-Recreation-Access-Independence-Lifestyle-Sports) is an outreach program for people with complex physical disabilities. It provides a variety of adaptive recreation opportunities, including cycling, mountain biking, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, swimming, kayaking, sailing, wheelchair tennis, and gym-based wellness. Eric was one of the participants who cycled at Liberty Park today. This is his second season of cycling with TRAILS. As a stroke survivor, he has limited use of his left leg, but with both of his feet clipped onto the pedals of his adaptive bike, he is able to use his right leg to support the left. Eric is a veteran and was able to purchase his own bike with support from the VA. He enjoys cycling outdoors so much that he also completed the National Ability Center’s 18-mile Summit Challenge and two half marathons on his bike. Jade is one of the newer participants in TRAILS, having moved back to Utah earlier this year after 20 years away. Her new healthcare team at the University of Utah Rehabilitation Center told her about the program, and she was keen to sign up. Jade had a T6 spinal cord injury in 2005, so she uses a handcycle that is provided by TRAILS. In addition to cycling, she also joined in swimming and kayaking this summer. Jade is an artist specializing in drawing and wood burning. Although she plans to settle in Helper, Utah, she will be in Salt Lake a few days each week and plans to continue participating in TRAILS activities. TRAILS was founded in 2001 by Jeffrey Rosenbluth, M.D., Medical Director of the Spinal Cord Injury Acute Rehabilitation program at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center. The program started small, with just three borrowed handcycles. Today, it has grown to include a staff of four people and up to 100 volunteers each year. The program director is Paralympic gold medalist Tanja Kari. In addition to running activities, TRAILS staff tests new devices that are developed by the Tetradapt Initiative, a nonprofit organization working closely with the University of Utah to build, distribute and support assistive technology products. TRAILS activities take place in the Greater Salt Lake area. Equipment is provided and participation is free. TRAILS encourages family, friends, and caregivers to participate also. To learn more or to RSVP for an activity, call (801) 581-2526 or email [email protected].
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Each year, the Departments of Occupational Therapy/Recreational Therapy and Physical Therapy/Athletic Training at the University of Utah host a Stroke Camp. The camp offers stroke survivors an intensive two-week rehabilitation opportunity. For six hours a day, participants work with occupational and physical therapy on tasks and activities that target their individual goals. Depending on the needs and goals of each participant, treatment can address motor function, balance, sensation, or cognition, with the ultimate goal of improving function and participation in activities that are meaningful to that person. One participant, Demitra, was three months shy of retiring from her 36 years as an elementary school teacher when she experienced a stroke. Now, a year and a half later, she is attending Stroke Camp to improve motor control of her right arm and hand. She hopes to regain the ability to use that hand for activities such as brushing her hair, brushing her teeth, and eating. Demitra expressed her excitement about using her right hand to hold her sandwich during lunch that day. As she worked on exercises with her therapist, she said, “I love this place because it gives me hope.” Rob also experienced a stroke a year and a half ago. He traveled from his home in Washington state to participate in the camp this year. Rob was left-hand dominant before his stroke, which affected his left side. Rob would like to have use of both hands when working on projects at home. His therapy includes using a Graded Motor Imagery protocol and motor control activities. He happily demonstrated his hand positioning and technique while opening a drawer. Ryan had a stroke two days before Christmas in 2017 when he was 42 years old. He remembers his arm going numb while he was wrapping a present and then collapsing on the floor. Ryan met one of the Stroke Camp organizers while doing outpatient therapy at the Sugar House Rehabilitation Clinic and participated in Stroke Camp last year. His goal was to be able to run again, and he achieved that goal during camp. He still has weakness in his left leg and paralysis of his left ankle, but he is happy with where he is today. Ryan returned to the camp this year as a volunteer, saying, “I felt like I need to give back. I feel I have a lot to offer as far as relating to stroke survivors.” The camp is run by Heather Hayes, DPT, NCS, Ph.D. and Jeanette Koski, OTD. They are supported this year by two physical therapist neuro residents, a second-year physical therapy student, an occupational therapist, and two third-year occupational therapy students. Katie, an occupational therapist in inpatient rehabilitation, was excited to join the team this year. As she worked with a client who is three years post-stroke, she spoke about the functional progress that can be made years after stroke, especially in meaningful activities. The cost of participating in the camp is $2,500. To learn more, contact Heather Hayes, DPT, NCS, Ph.D. at the University Balance and Mobility Clinic at (801) 587-9161. |
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