October 7 & 8 - Trails Expo

Downhill Mountain Bike

AJ had an informal outing when we went to the TRAILS Expo. TRAILS (Therapeutic Recreation and Independent Lifestyles) is a comprehensive outreach program, for individuals with spinal cord injury or disease that includes recreational activities among other things.  AJ's doctor founded the program and has helped it grow over the past 10 years. At times he will identify an activity that members would like to participate in (like kayaking), and then he will ask the U of U engineering department to create a piece of adaptive recreational sports equipment to fill the interest. For example, a bicycle that is powered by hands/arms; a sail boat that uses a blowing mechanism to control the sail; or snow skis attached to a chair that is manipulated by a joystick.  It was also a social activity where hamburgers and hot dogs were provided. AJ had a good time looking at all the different items on display, talking to friends and meeting new people. What was going to be a quick trip to see what was there turned into a 3 hour activity! This is a program that AJ may really like to participate in as he recovers. They get together for weekend activities where the equipment is available for all members to use! Pretty Sweet!

AJ and a friend who was released from rehab 2 weeks ago.

On a side note, the accident report came in the mail today. To be honest, I was caught off guard at how hard it was for me to read!  There were so many choices made (ones that we have all done without consequence) that combined to cause this horrific accident and change AJ's life forever.  AJ also wanted to read the report. As he read it aloud, he considered each detail and seemed satisfied when he got to the end. Some of the facts were new to him, but he said that he felt okay and that everyone makes mistakes. I'm grateful for his generosity, charity and ability to focus on the future.