AzDS created a community based cycling and kayaking program called “Operation Pedal Paddle” for injured service members. The adaptive cycling and kayaking sessions were scheduled for six Saturdays from March through June and moved from various locations in the Phoenix Metro Valley and Tucson, Arizona. The kayaking clinics began on the calm waters of the Tempe Town Lake and a pool and lake at the Davis Monthan Air Force Base and then moved to the more difficult waters at Bartlett Lake in Cave Creek, Arizona and Lakeside Park in Tucson, Arizona. Each kayaking session was followed by a cycling clinic on paved paths near the lake where kayaking took place. The cycling sessions began on flat terrain and progressed with each session to include uneven terrain and winding paths. Participants were provided with 2 hours of kayaking followed by lunch and then 2 hours of cycling.
Veterans with physical disabilities were provided the opportunity to explore new outdoor adventure sports or fine tune their current skills in the sport. Each participant was provided with one-on-one instruction and assistance from trained and educated professionals. The injured service members were able to learn about sport safety, explore adaptive equipment, gain skills for all levels of injury, be active, stay fit and enjoy the outdoors with friends and family members.
The organization was able to recruit injured service members through developed relationships and partnerships with local veterans associations, hospitals and local disability organizations. MASD worked with the Davis Monthan Air Force Base and Southern Arizona VA Health Care System to allow injured service members from the southern Arizona area a chance to explore new sports or fine tune their skills in cycling and kayaking. MASD continued the partnerships previously developed with the Phoenix Veterans Administration Hospital, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and Disabled Veterans Association (DVA) to recruit veterans from the Phoenix Metro Valley and surrounding areas. MASD also collaborated with Phoenix, Mesa and Tucson Veterans Centers, the University of Arizona Veterans clinic, Mesa Community College Veterans Affairs Department and Arizona State University Veterans Affairs Department to distribute marketing materials to the community.
The first two clinics provided opportunities for two injured service members from the Phoenix area. The following session in Tucson provided an opportunity for three injured service members. The remaining three clinics scheduled for Tucson and Phoenix anticipate an increase to four veterans per session and have received the registration forms to confirm the four individual’s participation in the next two sessions. The individuals have been offered support for transportation but have not utilized the accessible transportation for the clinics. Due to the low participation numbers, the individuals have been able to bring a friend or family member along with them on the kayaking and cycling clinics. The program has been extremely beneficial for family members to enjoy the adaptive experiences together. An injured serviceman and his girlfriend joined the first session at Tempe Town Lake and she stated, “The clinic has opened his eyes to what he CAN do instead of what he CANNOT do. He is now encouraged to be more active on a daily basis.” The veteran rented a cycle from the MASD program and continues to bike with his girlfriend weekly.
Each participant has been encouraged to continue to participate in adaptive programs in the community. The two individuals that reside in the Phoenix area have continued to participate in the MASD adaptive programs including archery, cycling, and track and field. The two individuals have also been accepted to participate in the Military Camp for track and field hosted by the US Paralympics at the Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix from May 2-6 and will then compete in archery, cycling, and track and field competition at the 2011 Desert Challenge Games from May 6-8 in Mesa, Arizona. The individuals in the Tucson area have been provided with a resource list of adaptive opportunities in their area, although the opportunities are more limited than the Phoenix area. The Tucson individuals are encouraged to join the weekly programs in the Phoenix area and all three are considering the option to participate in the 2011 Desert Challenge Games in Mesa this May. All individuals that participate in Operation Pedal Paddle will remain on the registration list for the Tour de Tucson cycling event in Tucson next fall as well as the registration list for the weekly cycling and kayaking programs provided by MASD from August through December.
