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Next Event A Wildflower Stroll April 18
Local residents who use wheelchairs and have other mobility challenges are going on outdoor adventures thanks to the Outdoor Adaptive Recreation (OAR) program sponsored by Valley Associates for Independent Living (VAIL).
Over the past year, people with muscular dystrophy, strokes, spinal cord injuries, and other disabilities have gone waterskiing, hiking to waterfalls, snow skiing, handcycling, kayaking, and swimming. Participants explored Natural Bridge State Park, Augusta Springs Wetlands, the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail, and the Adaptive Sports Festival in Richmond.
After playing pickleball with RARO, one of the participants who uses a wheelchair shared, “I did not think it would be that much fun, honestly.” Participants share joys, hope, inspiration, accomplishments, laughter, and lots of smiles.
VAIL is a nonprofit organization providing services for people with all types of disabilities in Lexington, Buena Vista, Waynesboro, Staunton, Harrisonburg, and the surrounding counties. As the local Center for Independent Living for over 20 years, over half of their staff and board members are people with disabilities.
The mission of VAIL is promoting self-direction among people with disabilities and removing barriers to independence in the community. Some of the services include independent living skills training, youth transition to employment services, advocacy, home modifications, peer support, technical assistance, and transition services from institutions to community living. The Harrisonburg Cardinals Wheelchair Basketball team is one of VAIL’s many programs. Visit VAIL on Facebook or www. govail.org.
This year, OAR is planning to go to Virginia Beach, Cave Mountain Lake, Shenandoah National Park, Richmond, and more. Some of the adventures include surfing, swimming, waterskiing, and skydiving.
The Lexington Road and River Relay Race is also on the schedule. OAR has entered a team of all people with mobility impairments, the “VAIL Able Racers.” Area residents are invited to come cheer on the team running with power wheelchairs, kayaking, and handcycling on Saturday, May 4.
VAIL’s next Outdoor Adaptive Recreation event is a Wildflower Stroll on the Chessie Trail in Lexington on Thursday, April 18.
OAR is eager for more people with mobility impairments to join the fun. Anyone interested can contact Terri Bsullak, OAR coordinator, at tbsullak@yahoo. com or (540) 460-3473.
