Help Abby Walk Again: Race A 5K with her this summer and fall

Abby is a 58 year old social worker who has spent most of her adult life helping others. 2 years ago she suffered a spinal infarction of unknown origin and has lost strength and mobility from the waist down.While some movement and sensation has returned she is still confined to a wheelchair. Because of this Abby is facing the reality of a drastically changed life. Living in Vermont she had always enjoyed the outdoors, hiking with her dogs, swimming in her pond, biking in the spring and summer and snow shooing and cross country skiing in the winter. She enjoyed running no matter what the weather and partcipated in a few races including a 1/2 marathon when she was 50. The high stress demands of her profession contributed to this need to stay active and to feel in control of her body and appreciating adventure in the outdoors gave meaning to her life. Although this transition from able bodied to disabled and in a wheelchair has been challenging she is still doing what she can to stay active in hopes of rebuilding strength and eventually wallking again. She participates in physical therapy 2 x week and her good friend, Meg Letson, a personal trainer and fitness coach, works with her 2 x week in her home. She also makes sure to gget to the pool 2 x week and thanks to the help of her friends has a small makeshift gym in her basement. Abby was also determined to get back into her pond and last summer was swimming laps or just relaxing in a floatie with a good book.Abby is fundraising for a piece of equipment called the eskoskeleton that will allow her to stand and walk. Unfortunately this equipment is not covered by private insurance and sicne she continues to work does not qualify for Meidicare. The eskoskeleton will allow Abby to move around her home walking and standing even going up and down the stairs. It can also be taken out into the community. Use of the eskoskeleton can assist Abby in capatilizing on the gains she has already made by spending more of her day walking and standing instead of sitting. What Abby is most looking forward to however is participating in another 5 K. She can train with her PT and her home trainer to be ready to compete with her eskoskeleton.