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.
