On Monday, October 28, nearly a dozen disabled and able-bodied cyclists, along with five volunteers, from Atrium Health and Navicent Health departed Carolinas Rehabilitation- Charlotte on a journey to Macon, Georgia. The group made up of military veterans, civilians and supporters trekked the nearly 300 miles to help raise awareness for veterans and athletes that are injured, wounded and/or paralyzed- demonstrating that despite having an injury they can continue to live an active and healthy lifestyle.
“This bicycle ride was such a neat opportunity to pull our two health systems together focusing on our patients’ rehabilitation and adaptive sporting programs,” said Aaron Harper, HR Program Manager- Military & Veterans Affairs, Office of Diversity & Inclusion. “What impressed me the most was how quickly our Navicent Health and Atrium Health teammates unified their efforts, how we all became family as we biked 270 miles in 18 hours, but most importantly, how we all truly embraced our mission of health, hope and healing for all through this ride and beyond.”
The trip was also the perfect time to continue bringing together two teams, from Atrium Health and Navicent Health, to learn from each other and find ways to work together, better, to best serve our communities.
“Ride4Rehab is truly about celebrating integration of two teams coming together for our communities,” said Gina Tipton, Chief Administrative Officer of Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health. “It is our vision that this starts the networking and foundation for Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health to develop and support an adaptive sports program. Our teammates in Charlotte have an amazing Olympic-level program and we are honored they are sharing their plans and talent with us. Ride4Rehab is a way for us to bring awareness and lay the groundwork to develop a program under our Charlotte teammates’ guidance for the people of central Georgia.”
Throughout its decades-long history, the Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program (ASAP) at Carolinas Rehabilitation, part of Atrium Health, has helped fuel countless stories of triumph in the face of seemingly impossible odds. Rehab professionals say sports and recreational activities are a vital part of a successful rehabilitation program, especially for those who are newly disabled. Whether someone is born with a disability or they become disabled later in life, adaptive sports offers an outlet for people to gain confidence and live an active, healthy lifestyle.
For more information and other personal stories check out Brian’s story of determination.
