Westfield Kiwanis Club members heard Thursday, Dec. 11, from Ryan Kincade, outreach coordinator for Center for Human Development’s “All In: Barrier-Free Recreation” program, who explained how the program benefits participants of all abilities.
Kincade spoke to members and guests at the club’s weekly regular meeting at Emma’s Everyday Gourmet on Washington St., Westfield.
Kincade, who lost the use of his legs following a mountain bike accident when he was a teenager, has been a lifelong athlete. He’s captain of the Springfield Thunderbirds sled hockey team, and an avid rock climber.
The Thunderbirds sled hockey team isn’t just good … it was the very best at the Empire State Winter Games in Lake Placid, NY, earlier this year, earning a gold medal in the prestigious tournament by winning all five of its games January 31-February 2.
The CHD “All In” program gives participants the chance to enjoy many physical activities with the use of adaptive equipment. That equipment is often too costly for purchase by individuals, so All In buys the equipment and makes it available to those in the program for little or no cost. He gave the example of a hand cycle, a bicycle designed to be powered by the rider’s arms. Such cycles cost between $6,000 and $10,000, Kincade said, and is just one example of the equipment purchased and maintained by All In.
The program is funded largely by grants and donations. Kincade said All In is always looking for program participants who may be able-bodied or with disabilities, and also for volunteers. More information is available here, or at the program’s web site, www.chd.org/Allin