Craig Hospital Blog

JAM THE DAMZ Cycling Event

JAM THE DAMZ Cycling Event 

What are you waiting for? - BE INSPIRED!

Last year this inaugural event was a huge success, raising over $60,000 for Craig Hospital, US Handcycling and Adaptive Adventures.  There were over 200 riders, 50 of which were handcycles. This year, we not only have local participants, but the top fundraiser is from Chicago! To date, she has raised in excess of $7,000! Watch for her story to be posted on this blog in the next few days.

Ride, volunteer, or donate by going to www.jamthedamz.org.  There is a course for everyone from the leisurely rider to the hard-core competitor.  This fun, family event will take place on September 24, 2011 at Clement Park in Littleton, Colorado.  And don't forget the after party with music, food, drawings, and fun!!  BE INSPIRED. 

 


  
For more informaton go to www.jamthedamz.org

 www.craighospital.org

Craig Hospital Presents an Adaptive Outdoor Recreation Expo

Craig Hospital presents an adaptive outdoor recreation expo on Friday, September 9th, 2011 from 10 am to 2 pm.  The event will take place outside, near the east building parking lot. Adaptive Outdoor Recreation Organizations will be providing information about adaptive recreational opportunities available throughout Colorado. There will also be demonstrations of a variety of equipment. Whether your passion is handcycling, fishing, hunting, golf, skiing, or tennis, or scuba, we can show you more adaptive recreational opportunites than you've ever dreamed of! Come join us at the adaptive outdoor recreation expo on Friday, September 9th, 2011 from 10 am to 2 pm at Craig Hospital.

 
Tricia Downing, a paraplegic athlete, is the second female wheelchair racer (first female paraplegic) to complete an Iron distance triathlon (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run).

To donate to the Craig Hospital Foundation, call 303-789-8650, or visit www.craighospital/foundation.

 

The 14th Craig Hospital/RE/MAX, LLC Invitational Golf Tournament at the Sanctuary

 
                                                                                                                   Photo by Mary Bonner

The 14^th Craig Hospital/RE/MAX, LLC Invitational Golf Tournament at the Sanctuary took place on July 21, 2011.  It was a picture-perfect day with only one minor rain delay. We offer special thanks to RE/MAX, LLC, our presenting sponsor, and GH Phipps Construction Companies, our dinner sponsor, and Quantum, our beverage sponsor, along with all of the other committed companies and individuals who made this event possible. 

 This year, there were over 100 participants in a modified scramble format.  Prizes were given for closest to the pin, the longest drive, team low net and team low gross. Congratulations to Lonnie Martinez for winning the grand prize drawing for the Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin Air Speaker System.

 Proceeds from this event will go towards Craig Hospital’s programs of excellence. 

About Craig

Craig Hospital was just ranked in the Top Ten Rehab Hospitals for 22 consecutive years by US News and World Report.  Craig is a world-renowned private, non-profit rehabilitation hospital and research center that specializes exclusively in treatment and research of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Craig treats patients from all 50 states and several foreign countries. No one expects a catastrophic injury to happen to them—but a motor vehicle accident, a sports accident, a trip over the dog, or a dive into shallow waters can dramatically alter a live in a single moment.  “That could never happen to me,” suddenly transitions to, “I can’t believe this has happened to me!”  Costs for rehab equipment or home modifications can be financially devastating.

 About the Sanctuary

Sanctuary is known for its elevated tees, towering pines and 180-degree mountain views of Pikes Peak to the south and Longs Peak to the north.  Five sets of tees invite every level of play.  It is estimated that a golf ball travels 11% farther at Sanctuary’s altitude compared with sea level.

 The Sanctuary was created as a place of refuge, preservation and nourishment, not just for wildlife, flora and fauna, but for service organizations committed to developing unique relationships with those who support their efforts to improve our community.  To date, more than 284 charities have netted more than 52 million dollars to directly benefit the many constituents they serve, thanks to the vision and generosity of Dave and Gail Liniger.

 Designed by renowned golf course architect Jim Engh, Sanctuary protects a private oasis of 220 acres from residential development, effectively complementing 12,400 surrounding acres of dedicated open space.  It is not uncommon to see elk, deer, foxes, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, black bears, porcupines, wild turkeys and golden eagles.

 “This is a day that I don’t even care about my golf game…just the experience of being here is enough for me,” remarked one participant.

Adaptive golf, at its best!

www.craighospital.org

Thirty-Second Annual Craig Hospital Hobie Day

The 32^nd Annual Craig Hospital Hobie Day took place at Cherry Creek Reservoir on Friday, July 28.  Starting just after dawn, Craig Hospital staff and volunteers packed up gear for nearly 50 patients with varying degrees of spinal cord and brain injury for a day at Cherry Creek Reservoir.  Set-up included special mats, so wheelchairs could be safely maneuvered across the sand to the shade of specially placed canopies. This “army” worked for weeks to plan this annual event to make sure it was a fun and safe trip for patients, away from the confines of the hospital.  Behind the scenes, special classes took place at Craig so staff volunteers could be trained in water safety and patient transfer from wheelchairs to boats.

Hobie Day is the largest hospital outing of its kind in the world.  This outing provides patients with the opportunity to experience what is possible after catastrophic spinal cord and brain injuries, through “applied therapy.” Along with the boating experience, patients learn to navigate the beach and learn the necessity of taking care of themselves in extended periods of exposure to heat and sun.  Accompanied by nurses, therapists and staff from a variety of other departments at Craig, patients are able to test their rehabilitation and self-care skills in real world conditions. 

According to Craig President and CEO, Mike Fordyce, “This day is just one example of the caring nature of our committed staff.  Our team is so much more than a hospital – we truly care about our patients and rejoice in their accomplishments as they get back to the business of living following a catastrophic injury.”

The event is organized by Hobie Cat Fleet #61, whose captains bring 11 Hobie Cat sailboats, a pontoon boat, and three power boats for the entire day.  There are 45 business sponsors who plan, cook and serve the outdoor barbeque of hotdogs and hamburgers. Some people are in charge of hydration, while others run the sunscreen table, and others just make sure everyone is having a good time.  

According to one patient, “I never had an opportunity like this before my accident.  To think that I could do something like this now…I never would have imagined.”

Empty wheelchairs lined the beach - their occupants traversing the calm waters of Cherry Creek Reservoir. A gentle breeze accompanied them while the live band provided a perfect soundtrack to a beautiful day.

www.craighospital.org