|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
NORTHWEST INDIANA SPINAL CORD INJURY GROUP
We will be meeting again on Saturday, January 3rd at…
Gelsosomo’s Pizzeria
1pm-?
2605 Laporte Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383
This month we will be eating free pizza supplied by the Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group and discussing some goals that we might have for the upcoming year.
The December meeting was great, thanks to everyone who made it out. We’ll see you next week.
Sleds give those with disabilities opportunity to get out on ice, too
As posted at: www. journalgazette.net
as written by: Ben Smith
Bob Chase sees them at every Komets game, dreaming their dreams behind the glass. Wheelchair parked hub-to-hub with wheelchair. Wondering what it must be like to glide so effortlessly across the ice, to carry a puck on the tape of a stick, to go top-shelf with it into the net.
“I’m sure they’d be dying to try to see what the heck this is all about,” Chase says.
Now they can.
Now comes sled hockey, a version of the game foreign to this hockey city until last year, when a man named Randy Kwapis wondered where in blazes it was. He’d moved to town in 2006 from the Detroit area, where his 18-year-old son, Matthew, played in a local adult league and also on a youth team in Grand Rapids, Mich. Basically it was have sled, will travel for the Kwapises.
At least until they got to Fort Wayne.
“There was no sled hockey here,” Kwapis recalls. “So I instigated getting something going.”
And now he can see what his instigation has wrought, and it’s not two minutes in the penalty box. On a snow-flying Monday night, he stands behind the boards at one end of McMillen Ice Arena, and to his left are 15 brand-new hockey sleds, each adorned with a red bow and the name of the corporate sponsor who paid for it. And on the ice, before long, will be a whole bunch of players on those sleds, wearing Komets jerseys and Carroll High School jerseys and Buffalo Sabres jerseys, maneuvering around with two short sticks that have a hockey blade on one end and metal teeth on the other for digging into the ice and propelling themselves.
“What’s neat about sled hockey is there are no boundaries,” says Perry Ehresman of Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation. “It’s for disabled individuals, it’s for able-bodied individuals, anybody can do it. We’re still building it, still getting the information out to the community, but the interest has grown.”
Kwapis, who enlisted the help of McMillen Ice Arena, Fort Wayne Youth Hockey, Turnstone and the League for the Blind and Disabled to get things rolling, won’t argue with that.
“We’re still a fledgling team here, but it’s come a long way in a year,” he says. “Last year we did our demo on Dec. 4, and that was the first time (sled hockey) had been introduced in Fort Wayne. Since then we’ve created a team – you can see the kids out on the ice – and have somewhat regular scheduled practices. In another year, we’ll have consistent ice time and all those other things.”
Fledgling though it is, it’s still the first sled hockey team in Indiana, which is part of why Chase was at McMillen on Monday. In February the local team, the ice arena and Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation will play host to the Bob Chase Frostbite Sled Hockey Tournament, the first of its kind in the city. Plus they’ll be doing a demonstration at Memorial Coliseum.
“I was aware of it because I get a lot of hockey stuff, but I didn’t really know what it was, and I didn’t think it would be coming here,” Chase says. “I was thrilled to be a part of it. It’s another dimension for people who probably would like to see what the experience of hockey is but because of their disabilities never could.
“Now they’re gonna have a chance. It’s great.”
Lafeyette Spinners Wheelchair Basketball on Wednesday nights at Faith Community Center 5572 Mercy Way, Lafayette, IN 47905762/449-4600
On Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 from 6-9pm Pine Ridge Racquet & Fitness Club (12124 Lima Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46818) will host the first “Battle @ The Ridge”.
Local wheelchair tennis players James Ezell and Kevin Hughes will compete along with the Pro Staff.
There will also be prizes, giveaways, raffles, a Kids Zone and much more.
To be apart of all the fun tickets only $5/person with proceeds from the event being donated to Turnstone.
***The big raffle item is a New 42″ HDTV.
Varsity Flyers Current Record: 6-1
Varsity Flyers Next Tournament: Midwest Regional January 3 & 4, 2009 in Whitewater, WI
As posted at: www.spinalcord.org
Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana announced today that two of its ongoing lines of brain injury research have been awarded a total of $240,000 from the new Indiana Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Board.
RHIs Jacob T. Kean, Ph.D., and his team of investigators will receive $120,000 for research into the involvement of acetylcholine, which is critical to the function of the brain and nervous system, in the rehabilitation phase of recovery following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Among the goals of the study is reduction of the severity of delirium a state of disorientation and confusion after TBI.
In addition, Keans study, titled An Exploration of the Hypocholinergic Hypothesis of Delirium Following Traumatic Brain Injury will also result in a first look at variables that may co-contribute to delirium risk and incidence, along with the effects of greater anticholinergic drug burden. Anticholinergic drugs reduce the effects of acetylcholine and include commonly prescribed medications such as stomach acid blockers.
Samantha Backhaus, Ph.D., is the principal investigator in a study aimed at identifying effective methods of assisting survivors of brain injury and their caregivers in the challenging adaptation required by brain injury, and also in identifying more clearly the reasons why group treatment is effective. She and her fellow researchers will also receive $120,000 for their important work, Brain Injury Coping Skills Group for Improving Self-Efficacy and Adjustment in Individuals with Brain Injury and Their Caregivers.
Our researchers are outstanding, and these awards are further evidence of that fact, said Dr. Jim Malec, research director for RHI. With the help of this funding, we will be able to make significant strides in better understanding brain injury and take steps to improve the lives of people living with disabilities.
The Indiana Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Board was created in 2007 by the Indiana General Assembly. One of the main purposes of its funding is to support research related to the treatment and cure of spinal cord and brain injuries, including acute management, medical complications, rehabilitative techniques and neural recovery. Grants from the Board are worth $120,000 each over the course of two years, and although collaborations are encouraged, the research must all be done in Indiana.
We are grateful to the Board for these grants, and share the excitement of so many colleagues across the state that this funding will advance Indianas leadership in understanding neurological injury and its rehabilitation, Malec added.
A community collaboration between Clarian Health and St. Vincent Health, Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana (www.rhin.com) opened its doors in January 1992 as one of the largest freestanding rehabilitation hospitals in the Midwest. It provides inpatient acute services, and outpatient and vocational rehabilitation services for adults with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, strokes, amputations, orthopedic conditions, neuromuscular diseases, burns and related disabilities. RHIs Sports Program, which is recognized as among the best in the country, serves hundreds of people with disabilities every year.
WHAT: Have Time off during the day? Looking for a fun new way to get your exercise? Try this great opportunity brought to you by RHI Sports and Indianapolis Community Tennis Association to receive hands-on tennis instruction and training!
WHO: All RHI adult athletes. Players of different skill levels are welcome whether you are a beginner looking to learn or an advanced player looking to hone your skills.
WHEN: Every Tuesday starting November 18th, 10:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.
PLACE: Butler University Tennis Bubble, located due north of Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Hinkle Fieldhouse:
510 W. 49th StreetIndianapolis, IN 46208
Follow Boulevard Drive to the intersection of 52nd St. and head west until you see the Butler Bubble.
RSVP: Please contact Pat Dean to inform us of your interest! You can email him at pat.dean@rhin.com or call 317-329-2281. Hope to see you there!
As posted by: Kevin Hughes
Prep and Varsity Turnstone Flyers wheelchair basketball teams battle in 1st away tournament
For the second straight weekend the Prep Turnstone Flyers split round robin games to extend season record 4-4. Yesterday (Dec. 13, 2008) at the Midwest Conference Round Robin in Southfield, MI the Flyers were able to control tempo in wins over the Michigan Thunderbirds and RHI Mini-Pacers; however, struggled in losses against the Grand Rapids Jr. Pacers and Sterling Heights Challengers.
Prep Flyers Results:
Game 1: Flyers 12 Michigan Thunderbirds 2
Game 2: Flyers 15 Grand Rapids Jr. Pacers 17
Game 3: Flyers 12 Sterling Heights Challengers 24
Game 4: Flyers 24 RHI Mini-Pacers 10
Prep Flyers Individual Stats:
Robert Burns: 14 rebounds, 3 steals, and 4 points
Alex Leckron: 5 rebounds, 5 steals, and 14 points
Lazero Rodriguez: 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, 4 points
Michael Porter: showing progress in 1st season
Jordan Thompson: 16 rebounds, 4 steals, 10 points
Molly Welfle: 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Tyler Sarrazine: Unfortunately stats don’t show his strong defensive play
Nina Welfle: 19 rebounds, 1 block, 3 assist, 7 steals, and 31 points
Prep Flyers next Tournament: GLASA Claddagh Tournament Saturday, January 24, 2009 @ St Xavier University
The Varsity Turnstone Flyers loose first game of young season….
At the Saturday, December 13, 2008 Midwest Conference Round Robin in Southfield, MI the Varsity Turnstone Flyers wheelchair basketball team were able to defeat the Michigan Thunderbirds and Grand Rapids Jr. Pacers; however, had a tough time in the loss to the Sterling Heights Challengers.
Varsity Flyers Current Record: 6-1
Varsity Flyers Next Tournament: Midwest Regional January 3 & 4, 2009 in Whitewater, WI
Talkin Sports this Sat. Dec. 20
Jim Shovlin, the host of Talkin’ Sports, has invited Kevin Hughes back on his radio show this Saturday, December 20, 2008 to talk about what’s happening in adaptive sports in the Fort Wayne area. You can listen to Talkin’ Sports every Saturday morning on FM100 Talks! WNUY-100.1FM for 90 minutes starting at 10:30am. Learn more at http://www.wnuy.com/talkinsports.html or www.myspace.com/talkinsportsy100
Benefits to help new inclusive sport at McMillen Ice Arena
Fort Wayne, IN : A silent auction to benefit Fort Wayne ’s newest sport is being held at the MAC Ice Arena. Proceeds will provide youth and adults with disabilities an opportunity to participate in sled hockey. The MAC is home to Indiana ’s first sled hockey team and their upcoming Bob Chase Frostbite Sled Hockey Tournament February 14-15, 2009.
The following items are on display at the MAC through December 20th at 6pm:
Album signed by Chicago
Doobie Brothers signed Telecaster
Be a professional wrestling manager
Be a Komet reporter for a day
Komet team signed jersey
Komet team signed pennant
Learn to drive the Zamboni (must be 18 to win this item)
Dinner at a Fort Wayne firehouse
Mayor of Marion , IN for a day
Dinner at Casa’s with Guy Dupuis (4 people plus Guy)
Magic Show by Terry Owens
1992 “Dream Team” Kellogg’s promotional jacket
Ray Crowe biography signed by Crowe, Oscar Robinson and others
Saxophone Quartet performance at your event
Behind the scenes tour of TV Channel 15
A hockey-themed fleece blanket
A collection of cool stuff from the Fort Wayne Derby Girls
The sport of sled hockey has been eagerly embraced by officials at the MAC, Fort Wayne Youth Hockey, Turnstone and the League for the Blind and Disabled. These organizations have been involved in building community support to make this program a success. Over the past six months, 15 sleds have been donated to the program and funders are coming forward to help continue the tournament.
For those familiar with wheelchair basketball and tennis, sled hockey is similar in that it is a great sport for youth and adults, and men and women. Sled hockey got its start in Sweden during the 1960’s when two men with disabilities wanted to continue playing hockey. The equipment hasn’t changed much since then – players sit in sleds with two blades on the bottom. They propel and maneuver themselves with two short hockey sticks, curved on one end with short ice picks on the other end. For more information visit www.mcmillenicearena.org or call the Ice Arena at 427-6769.
