Project Walk Diaries: And Then It Was Gone


closed sign

If you’ve been following my blog series the Project Walk Diaries, you know I’ve been fortunate to be part of Project Walk’s Ambassador Program at the new Minneapolis location; an opportunity this old rusty quad has been head over wheels about (sorry couldn’t help it, ha).

I have been able to go once a week for free, essentially trying out their novel approach to post-spinal cord injury rehabilitation/exercise. As a longtime disability writer who’s been writing about Project Walk much longer than she’s been going there, it’s been quite surreal experiencing something I’ve only written about. And it’s not all about “walking” there; not by a long shot.

I’m not walking yet and likely will never be, but the opportunity to move my entire body, even with the help of others, and even if I can’t feel it nerve-wise “normally” or move it on my own has been surprisingly monumental. It’s quite similar to what I get out of my adaptive yoga practice — it’s all about the appreciation of the entire body in spite of being paralyzed. Move it, baby, even though you can’t.

And moving the entire body in spite of being paralyzed is not only a form of self-love, it’s huge both physically and mentally, and that is what I’ve been getting out of Project Walk. As silly as it sounds, they’ve helped me show my body love by moving it. And not to get too hippy-dippy, but the energy from moving your entire body even with the help of others is something everyone who is paralyzed should be experiencing.

I feel more alive and happier more than ever before post-injury. Energy is flowing, my cardio is great and I feel like Superwoman. Yes, I love it. But now I must figure out a way to carry on my exercises without Project Walk. I found out last week that Project Walk Twin-Cities is closing due to not enough clients. Insurance unfortunately doesn’t cover this type of exercise therapy, leaving people unable to afford Project Walk, which is a huge shame because so many people are missing out on equipment that exists and could without question improve their health.

But I am not an investor, nor am I a business woman. I know places like Project Walk, even though they give life-changing services, must still be financially viable. Rent isn’t paid by good deeds, sadly.

I am determined somehow, someway to continue moving. Even if it means doing more yoga and finding a trainer with SCI experience and standing more. I need to keep feeling this way.

I say to those of you who have been paralyzed for over 10 years and have stopped any kind of working out whatsoever — please move. I don’t care how you do it, but medical professionals do not put enough emphasis on the importance of moving our entire bodies with the help of others post-injury, and to continue doing so. Being able to go to Project Walk for four months has taught me that.

I want to thank my trainers Josh and Nikki for putting all of their sweat and hard work into my workouts every Tuesday morning and to Matthew for helping me in and out of my chair and for being such a positive person in the gym. I’ll never forget all of the great things I was able to do while under your awesome guidance guys.

Have you experienced the joy coming from moving your entire body being paralyzed?

Image courtesy of http://littlenakedthings.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html


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Carolyn
Carolyn
9 years ago

Tiffiny. Sorry the doors are closing! We were just getting information about the facility over the recent months! Do you have any “free” exercises to share? If so, I would be very thankful.