We will be meeting again on Saturday, January 3rd at...
Once at the Portage/Ogden Dunes stop, you make your way up the ramp and press the red button on the East wall. This signals to the train that they have to pull up to the platform. The train doors will open, conductor will come out and lower a small yellow "drawbridge". This surface was within about 4 inches of the train door. I just popped a wheelie over the slightly uneven gap.
When you get on the train, there is a seating area with one seat removed. 
I'm pretty sure there is a spot like this on each car. Some cars have restrooms. Unfortunately, the one we were in did not. This meant we got the adventure of changing cars through those little doors at the end. This is not a good idea while the train is moving. The Isles are plenty wide enough for most manual chairs, the doors are a tight fit though. While the train is moving the doors are moving side to side where the diamond plate floors are, and seem like they could easily damage a chair if you got cought in between them . We went through as the train was sitting at a stop and it worked out well.
Once I was in the other car, it was time to try the restroom. It was tight, but my chair fit so it wasn't as bad as an airplane restroom. If you want to get on to the toilet, you have to be able to do a 180 degree transfer.
We got off at the end of the line, Millennium Station/Randolph St. There is an elevator that brings you up on the corner of Michigan Ave and Randolph. To get to Millennium Park, you have to cross north, then cross east, then cross south... it's a city thing. 
We checked out the Sky Cloud, or as I like to call it the "Bean" and took some pictures. It started to drizzle and get cold, so we headed to Rainforest Cafe next for dinner.
To register, simply email or call with your name, address, phone #, and shirt size. If you are walking with a team, feel free to include your team name and goal amount as well. Then show up at the Old Fair Grounds Park at 12pm on September 21, 2008 ready to receive your shirt and walk, and have fun.
Walker Registration and Sponsor forms, and flyers can be found right here. Just click the alide show.
Last year more than 180 people attended the walk and it was a huge success. This year should be even better. It is a great way to raise awareness for spinal cord injuries, exercise, and spend time with family and friends. There will be live music, a silent auction, door prizes, food, and a 5k-fitness walk.
We are pleased to announce the addition of a poker run this year. For those of you who are not familiar with a poker run, it is usually done on a motorcycle and consists of a route with five stops. A playing card is received at each stop and the highest poker hand wins. The route for this year can be found on the attached flyer. Registration for the poker run is 10:30-12 at the Fair Grounds Park and ends at Martini's. The last bike must be in by 5pm and prizes will be given away at 6pm. There will be live music and food provided at the end.
Pictures of the Spinal Cord Injury Walk 2007 can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com/
The proceeds will benefit spinal cord injury research, advocacy groups and the Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group. For more information call 219-531-0055 or email nwiscig@gmail.com.
I hope to see everyone on Sunday, September 21, 2008 for an unforgettable day of fun and fund raising!
Sincerely,
Joe White
Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group
219-531-0055
nwiscig.blogspot.com
It was quite an adventure. I first noticed that something was not exactly right with the steering. It kept taking me much farther to the left than I wanted to go. It seemed that if I backed up a bit and tried again, it was alright. Upon further inspection, I noticed the little wheels kept spinning in the track. The track needed tightened up. We went to the sign where the state park meets Johnson's Beach and I thought I'd see if it goes up hill very well. Unfortunately it didn't go up hill very well. The wheels kept spinning... even if I tried to go up backwards. I figured I would turn around and try to go back to the pavilion when I just stopped going anywhere. I stopped going, because the track had come off of the right side.
I was stuck on the beach in a really big power chair. I sent my daughter to the lifeguard station to get help While I just sat and enjoyed the beach. I also met quite a few people. I guess a power wheelchair that has tank tracks on it stands out in a crowd. I don't mind meeting new people, in fact it gives me a chance to talk about the group, give out a card and raise awareness a little. There were many helpful offers from passers by and the people around, however I thought I would just wait for the park officials to rescue me. I ended up using my cell phone to call the park office and request assistance. My daughter got to ride on the back of the 4-wheeler, which she loved. 
The DNR officers came shortly after. Together with the life guards they tipped the chair and put the track back on. Say "hi" to Officer Brandt and Officer Bruno.
Officer Brandt assured me that they would order new tracks and get the awesome beach char back in working order as soon as possible. If lifeguards are not on duty you can request the chair at the entrance gait or call the park office at 219-926-1952. All in all, it was a good day. Thanks to everyone who helped make it that way.
Indiana Dunes has made significant achievements in providing access to beach areas. However, access to the waters of Lake Michigan pose challenging accessibility problems. Presently, these beach areas are accessible: West Beach, Lake View Picnic area, Dunbar Beach, and Porter Beach."
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| Access Pass |
"America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass– Access Pass - Free (replaced the Golden Assess Pass)
This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. The pass can only be obtained in person at the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center or other federal recreation sites where it is accepted.
The Golden Access Passports will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass. Only paper version of the Golden Access Passports may be exchanged free of charge for new plastic passes.
Additional information on Access Pass"
I have heard that Washington Park in Michigan City, Indiana has a lift, yet I have not had a chance to look into that beach. I will update this page as soon as I find out more.
August 17th at 2 pm
MURDERBALL… Trailer
Murderball is an intimate and personal look at life in a wheelchair. The story chronicles the journey of the United States Para Olympic Quad Rugby Team from 2002 to 2004 ending in Athens, Greece with a championship game against their rivals from Canada.
Also...
Please reserve the date for the
Last year more than 180 people attended the walk and it was a huge success. This year should be even better. It is a great way to raise awareness for spinal cord injuries, exercise, and spend time with family and friends. There will be live music, a silent auction, door prizes, food, and a 5k-fitness walk. Pictures of the Spinal Cord Injury Walk 2007 can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com
The proceeds will benefit spinal cord injury research, advocacy groups and the Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group.
Volunteers and sponsors are needed for this event also. Please contact nwiscig@gmail for more information.
I can email flyers for all events, but If preprinted flyers are needed I will try to get them to you as soon as possible.
We will be meeting again on Saturday, August 2nd at...
This film puts a human face on this controversial subject. When neurologist Dr. Jack Kessler's daughter injured her spine in a skiing accident, he turned his energies toward finding a method to repair damaged spinal cords, re-focusing his research on developing a therapy using embryonic stem cells to regenerate the damaged parts of the nervous system. His research has taken him into a politically very sensitive area in which Catholic and fundamentalist Christian views about the beginning of life exert a powerful influence.
I hope to see as many of you as possible next weekend.
The movies are:
July 20th at 2 pm
Christopher Reeve: Hope in Motion… Trailer
This intimate portrait focuses on Chris's remarkable recovery of movement and his constant fight to fully regain his mobility. Following Chris closely over many months of treatment and public campaigning for funds for stem cell research, this film was completed shortly before his death and shows his struggle to keep his hope alive. Sadly, Chris died before his most fervent wish could come to pass. What emerges through this film is a portrait of an intelligent, determined, candid and outspoken man who was able to maintain his sense of humor in the face of adversity. His inspiring personality will shine through as you follow his unpredictable, emotional journey.
August 3rd at 2 pm
MAPPING STEM CELL RESEARCH : Terra Incognita… Trailer
This film puts a human face on this controversial subject. When neurologist Dr. Jack Kessler's daughter injured her spine in a skiing accident, he turned his energies toward finding a method to repair damaged spinal cords, re-focusing his research on developing a therapy using embryonic stem cells to regenerate the damaged parts of the nervous system. His research has taken him into a politically very sensitive area in which Catholic and fundamentalist Christian views about the beginning of life exert a powerful influence.
August 17th at 2 pm
MURDERBALL… Trailer
Murderball is an intimate and personal look at life in a wheelchair. The story chronicles the journey of the United States Para Olympic Quad Rugby Team from 2002 to 2004 ending in Athens, Greece with a championship game against their rivals from Canada.
*We are still looking for sponsors for these events. Please contact nwiscig@gmail for more information.
Also...
The Spinal Cord Injury Walk 2008 is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, 2008.
Last year more than 180 people attended the walk and it was a huge success. This year should be even better. It is a great way to raise awareness for spinal cord injuries, exercise, and spend time with family and friends. There will be live music, a silent auction, door prizes, food, and a 5k-fitness walk. Pictures of the Spinal Cord Injury Walk 2007 can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com
The proceeds will benefit spinal cord injury research, advocacy groups and the Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group.
Volunteers and sponsors are needed for this event also. Please contact nwiscig@gmail for more information.
I can email flyers for all events, but If preprinted flyers are needed I will try to get them to you as soon as possible.
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| From Waterskiing Twin Lakes 2007 |
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| From Waterskiing Twin Lakes 2007 |
We will be meeting again on Saturday, July 5th.
On behalf of the Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sam Schmidt, the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation, and all off the volunteers and sponsors for the opportunity to attend the Day at the Races in Indianapolis.
We are in the midst of the W2W Symposium. Today was the Science Day and we have been mixing and mingling swith scientist and advocate from across the country. Tomorrow is the Advocacy Day when I speak in behalf of the NWI SCI Group and we brush up on our dos and don'ts of legislative meetings. I can't wait to tell you all about it during May's meeting.
Joe
The Sam schmidt Paralysis Foundation has released it's calender of event for this year. The Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group is proud to be associated wit this organization. If you haven't ever been to an Indy Car time trial you ar in for a treat. The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation Provides admitance to the track, lunch and a pit tour on 05/15/2008 for A Day at the Races. If you have been, than you know how much fun it can be.
Also consider the 9th Annual Racing to Recovery Gala Dinner on 05/12/2008.
Please contact me at nwiscig@gmail .com or Ida Cahill at icahill@samschmidt.org for more details.
Joe
We will be meeting again on Saturday, March 1st.
WHEN: Saturday, March 8th
12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
WHERE:
WHO: Anybody who wants to try out Sled hockey. This sport is more challenging for those who have decreased arm and hand coordination. However, we can always adapt the equipment if you want to try.
RESERVATIONS:
Please RSVP to:
Pat Dean via pdean@rhin.com
or call Pat at 317-329-2281 By
March 5th
The annual Holiday Sports Festival, sponsored by the Mayor Daley's Office, the Chicago Park District and the host site, McCormick Place.
"Imagine the biggest indoor gym ever, then think even bigger than that. We're talking 1 million square feet of all-ages sporting events. The only thing you and the kids have to do is show up."
I didn't know much about it before I went, but there was golf, wall climbing, football, obstacle courses, a tot's zone, bowling, martial arts, table tennis, inflatable tumbling, fencing, badminton, boxing, fishing ponds, giant slides, skateboarding and bicycling and more. New this year they had cheerleading clinics, double-dutch jump rope and 2-ball. The event was wheelchair accessible and there was an adaptive sports area that included wheelchair basketball ans sled hockey.
