Guys Ive been bursting for the past two hours to tell yall about this, but I had to eat dinner first (and just hang with my buddy at the restaurant for a while).
Tonight I got started volunteering with an organization called Wheely Cool Hockey in Winston Salem.
I heard about it from a friend who I play hockey with in Greensboro, not sure how he found out about it.
This organization just started up for the season last week or two weeks ago, and they offer a free opportunity for people with disabilities to try hockey.
It's at the Annex at the LJVM in WS, and they divide up the ice into three parts.
Part one, closest part, is just an open area where, tonight, they just push folks around in wheelchairs. These were people who are very physically (and maybe mentally) disabled. Not really able to speak, wheelchair bound for their lives etc. But the joy on their face as they were being wizzed around the ice - awesome!
The middle section had some folks who have issues, but not as severe as the first group. It's for upright/'regular' hockey, this is, from what I understand, targeted towards people with autism, Downs etc. They skate, they have a stick, and they knock the puck around.
The third section is where I was placed tonight to help, it was for sled hockey. There were a few adults who are learning sled hockey and I 'helped' a bit passing pucks etc. Most of the sled folks can walk, but they dont have the abilities in their legs/lower extremities to do upright. So this gives them a chance to still get involved and overcome their abilities.
After about 40 minutes one of them said, "you should try this."
So I got off the ice, took off my skates and got strapped into a sled to try it out. WOW, my core is throbbing! Took a lot to maintain balance and to push yourself back up when it tipped over.
This group, run, from what I gather, by a super awesome and sweet woman named Mary-Anne, whom Ive been in contact with and got approval though, is also involved with sled hockey and her kid plays upright.
There are some volunteers of 'normal' folks like myself and my friend, but the bulk are
a) Wake Forest hockey players
b) Thunderbirds players
All of those volunteers were outstanding!
When I first got into the sled they hadnt found a set of sticks for me to use, so one of the Thunderbirds just pushed me around a while till they found me some sticks and I went on my own. Chatted with some from both group at the end, really nice guys.
Im excited to incorporate this into my Monday routine, to go and try to help others and bring joy to someone's day/week/month/life.
If you know someone that might be interested in trying this out, someone with a disability, please contact me. More need to know about this.
Tonight I got started volunteering with an organization called Wheely Cool Hockey in Winston Salem.
I heard about it from a friend who I play hockey with in Greensboro, not sure how he found out about it.
This organization just started up for the season last week or two weeks ago, and they offer a free opportunity for people with disabilities to try hockey.
It's at the Annex at the LJVM in WS, and they divide up the ice into three parts.
Part one, closest part, is just an open area where, tonight, they just push folks around in wheelchairs. These were people who are very physically (and maybe mentally) disabled. Not really able to speak, wheelchair bound for their lives etc. But the joy on their face as they were being wizzed around the ice - awesome!
The middle section had some folks who have issues, but not as severe as the first group. It's for upright/'regular' hockey, this is, from what I understand, targeted towards people with autism, Downs etc. They skate, they have a stick, and they knock the puck around.
The third section is where I was placed tonight to help, it was for sled hockey. There were a few adults who are learning sled hockey and I 'helped' a bit passing pucks etc. Most of the sled folks can walk, but they dont have the abilities in their legs/lower extremities to do upright. So this gives them a chance to still get involved and overcome their abilities.
After about 40 minutes one of them said, "you should try this."
So I got off the ice, took off my skates and got strapped into a sled to try it out. WOW, my core is throbbing! Took a lot to maintain balance and to push yourself back up when it tipped over.
This group, run, from what I gather, by a super awesome and sweet woman named Mary-Anne, whom Ive been in contact with and got approval though, is also involved with sled hockey and her kid plays upright.
There are some volunteers of 'normal' folks like myself and my friend, but the bulk are
a) Wake Forest hockey players
b) Thunderbirds players
All of those volunteers were outstanding!
When I first got into the sled they hadnt found a set of sticks for me to use, so one of the Thunderbirds just pushed me around a while till they found me some sticks and I went on my own. Chatted with some from both group at the end, really nice guys.
Im excited to incorporate this into my Monday routine, to go and try to help others and bring joy to someone's day/week/month/life.
If you know someone that might be interested in trying this out, someone with a disability, please contact me. More need to know about this.
