History and Writings

THE INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER NAMED RECIPIENT OF CHRISTOPHER REEVE PARALYSIS FOUNDATION QUALITY OF LIFE GRANT

(Homer, Alaska) – The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF) announced today that (Independent Living Center (ILC)) has been awarded a ($7,500) Quality of Life Grant. CRPF awarded a total of $779,321 in Quality of Life Grants to 126 organizations nationwide as part of its 2004 first funding cycle of the Quality of Life Program.

The Quality of Life grants program was conceived in 1999 by Dana Reeve. Reeve, Director of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation and founder of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, started the program with the goal of helping living with disabilities in the ‘here and now.’ Grants are awarded to programs or projects that improve the well-being of people living with paralysis, particularly spinal cord injuries.

“For the first time in the history of the program, we have awarded over $775,000 in one cycle which will directly improve the quality of life for not only those living with disabilities, but their loved ones and caregivers as well,” said Dana Reeve. “When we first launched this program, I was thrilled to be able to award 20 nonprofit organizations. I never imagined that within five years we would be able to fund over 125 groups.

The Independent Living Center will use the grant award to purchase off-road capable wheelchairs. The wheelchairs will be available for rent for a nominal fee to both residents of and visitors to the Kenai Peninsula. The chairs will be located in the Soldotna and Homer offices of the ILC. ©Terra-Trek wheelchairs are designed to be used off of pavement and on semi-improved trails. The chairs will allow wheelchair users to enjoy more of the recreational opportunities on the Peninsula. ©Terra-Trek wheelchairs are manual chairs designed to be used independently, but they can also be pushed over rugged terrain. Each chair can be configured by ILC staff for trekking, hunting, or fishing.

“There are hundreds of miles of trails on the Peninsula that are not accessible in a normal everyday wheelchair,” said Jim Brady, accessibility expert at the ILC. “This grant will allow us to open many miles of those trails to resident wheelchair users and the ever growing number of wheelchair using visitors to the Peninsula. We are pleased and honored to be chosen for this award.”

The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF) is committed to funding research that develops treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. The Foundation also vigorously works to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities through its grants program, paralysis resource center, and advocacy efforts. (For a complete list of grant recipients, please visit www.ChristopherReeve.org.

The Independent Living Center is dedicated to providing services that allow people with disabilities to live productive, vital lives in their own homes and in their communities. "Individuals with impairments can best make their own decisions about their lives. The only handicaps they face are societal attitudes and physical barriers, not the impairments they experience".
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Frontier Medical of Anchorage provided valuable assistance in the implementation of this program.

For reservations contact any office of the ILC.

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Hiking and Camping

The State of Alaska
The National Park System
The Bureau of Land Management

All of these entities made accessibility improvements in their facilities in the past few years. The fact is, however, most day-to-day wheelchairs are not designed for use on even improved trails. The Terra Trek™ wheelchair is designed for the off-road environment.

Fully Adjustable...

...back and footrests will fit most adults. Push handles allow for assistance over difficult terrain. Clothing guards will keep mud and gravel out of your pockets.