Staying in excellent shape is a concern for able-bodied and disabled people alike.
With the installation of a new wheelers’ paramill at Quesnel and District Arts and Recreation Centre, it will be less of a concern for the city’s disabled population.
The device is like a treadmill for wheelchairs.
Users manoeuvre themselves up a ramp until their rear wheels are just above a pair or rollers and then clamp into the front of the machine.
Just like many modern treadmills, an interface screen allows the exerciser to choose from a variety of courses (hill climb, etc.), and they’re off to the races.
Lynn Dunkley showcased the new device for an informal gathering that included Councillor Ron Paull, Sandy Meidlinger of Quesnel’s Accessibility and Inclusion Committee, Liz and Petrie Neave of the Rotary Club of Quesnel, City of Quesnel director of community services Jeff Norburn, national gold medal champion wheelchair curler Alison Duddy and Quesnel’s recreation manager Richard Gauthier.
Dunkley points out the device is not just for those who are permanently wheelchair bound.
“It could be used by someone who transitions from a hip surgery or a knee surgery, or maybe they’ve had a stroke and things aren’t working bilaterally,” she says.
Duddy notes that it is also useful for going backwards.
“We’re always pushing forward, so you get really built up along the front of your chest, but you don’t get that equal movement along your back, so you notice for people who’ve been in chairs, they kind of develop a hunch, and hunch forward, and it’s because of exactly that.”
Dunkley nods her agreement, saying it can be difficult to move backward in public. There are bumps and people in the way and even if it is managed for a short while, it hardly makes up for all the hours of pushing forward.
A couple of the able-bodied watchers tried their hand at the paramill and quickly became quite tired.
It certainly engendered a newfound appreciation for how much strength is required to get oneself from A to B as a wheelchair-bound individual.
The almost $12,000 piece of equipment was funded through the Quesnel Rotary ($2,000), Northern Health’s IMAGINE Community Grant ($5,000) and the balance through North Cariboo Recreation and Parks Function.
It is just another piece in the incredibly impressive accessibility infrastructure on the Rec Centre grounds.
Dunkley thinks Quesnel has the most accessible public workout facility in the province.
She mentions for those who have to attend a rehab facility like GF Strong in Vancouver in order to learn how to move again, it can be very difficult to come back to a small community.
“I have lots of friends in chairs in Prince George who have nowhere to go and wish they could access these types of things,” says Duddy.
“They’re jealous!”
Right next to the paramill is an evolve glider, which is similar to an elliptical trainer.
A user transitions themselves onto the seat and can then pull themselves into a standing position, and use their arms to move their legs in a cross-country skiing motion.
“You’re getting that blood flow and motion in your body,” says Dunkley.
“It’s weird if you’re not used to standing.”
When using the machine, Dunkley says she gets up slow to avoid a big head rush.
“But emotionally it’s amazing too, because suddenly I’m meeting people’s eyes when people stop and talk to me, so it’s very cool.
“It’s not often in my life that I get that, and I love it.”
The gym also has an active passive trainer, which works like a stationary bike but the peddling can be done with the user’s arms in addition to legs; an equalizer, a multi-purpose exercise machine that can be used by able-bodied and disabled people alike; and a raised stretch mat, which is easy to transition on and off for disabled, injured and the elderly.
And that’s just in the gym.
The pool next door is also fully functional for disabled swimmers, with lifts and pulleys allowing access to its different areas; even the children’s playground outside the facility is wheelchair friendly.
A great credit is owed to Dunkley, Duddy, Meidlinger and Gauthier and all the donors for their tireless work in making the centre an accessible place for people of all abilities.
