Mobility Friends Together

When Chuck Killingsworth called Gary Miller of Mount Carmel Regional Medical Center, he was just looking for some used wheelchairs that he could use in one of his classes, so he never expected the generosity that Mr. Miller would extend to him.

Killingsworth, the professor of therapeutic recreation at Pittsburg State University, had been trying to find wheelchairs for one of his classes, so he picked up the phone and started calling some of the local hospitals. His last call was to Gary Miller, who decided to donate six brand new lightweight wheelchairs to Killingsworth. Miller was able to get a slight discount on the chairs, which are valued at around $700 a piece.

One of the major goals that Killingsworth wants to teach his students is how to properly transfer a person into and out of a wheelchair. They also have been brainstorming other ways to use the chairs. One of their plans is to have a wheelchair awareness day, where students spend the entire day in a wheelchair. He hopes that this will help the student have a better appreciation for what it is like for the people they will be working with.

The wheelchairs will also be used in the event of an injury and by the schools nursing department.

This is not the first time that Mount Carmel Regional Medical Center has helped out those at the school. Not too long ago they also donated a few defibrillators to the school.

The 28^th National Veterans Wheelchair Games are set to begin this weekend in Omaha, Nebraska. This is the largest annual wheelchair sporting event in the world and more than 500 athletes have entered.

It is taking place at the University of Nebraska in Omaha and helps to improve the quality of life for disabled veterans. It can greatly improve the confidence and health of those who enter and often around a quarter of the attendees have never participated in any type of wheelchair sport competition before.

Lasted 4 days from July 25^th to July 29^th, this event is presented by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Sports are an excellent type of therapy for those who are mobility challenged and can be used to help with many types of disability. There are over 15 different sporting events taking place at the Wheelchair Games. This includes swimming, table tennis, weightlifting, basketball, bowling, and even a motorized wheelchair rally.

To find out more visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website.