antiquity
05-23-2003, 10:11 AM
Bike fills void for spinal cord injured
By J.P. SQUIRE
The Daily Courier
Wesley Peterson carefully lifted his feet into padded stirrups, attached electrodes to his legs and his father, Dale, started rotating the pedals of the ERGYS bike.
The 19-year-old was the first person to test the $32,000 specialized exercise bike at the Kelowna Family YMCA-YWCA in Rutland.
Right behind him was Kevin Carta, 22, of Kelowna, who also had spinal cord damage in a motor vehicle accident last year. Both have leg paralysis and other physical challenges.
Their fathers, Dale Peterson and Jim Carta, met in Vancouver while their sons were in rehab.
The two fathers then teamed up to organize the Carta Peterson Golf Tournament, which raised $35,000 to buy the bike, filling a void in exercise opportunities for those with spinal cord injuries.
ìThe tournament was inspired by the love for our sons first, but so a lot of other people in the community would benefit too,î said Dale.
ìThis gave us a focus. We felt very powerless at that point, and we wanted to make a difference,î said Jim.
The ERGYS bike for people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and even strokes has a computer chip which sends low-level electrical currents to electrodes.
The electrical stimulation causes the gluteus maximus (buttocks), quadriceps and calf muscles to contract and the legs automatically pedal the bicycle.
Dale turns the pedals for seven or eight minutes to warm up his sonÃ*s muscles.
ìItÃ*s pretty neat once my legs start firing,î said Wesley, who gets severe spasms in his legs.
ìThereÃ*s a high correlation between exercise and a reduction in spasms and a reduction in medication,î said Dale.
Although researchers are working on a cure for spinal injury, unless one stays active, the muscles atrophy and joints become stiff.
ìWeÃ*re here for the wellness side, keeping the body healthy until thereÃ*s a cure,î said Dale.
When he met Jim, they were the same age, had similar financial professions, sons about the same age facing the same challenge and had similar families.
ìThere were a lot of parallels: we both had a lot of energy, knew a lot of people and cared for our sons. But he was three months ahead of us on the learning curve,î said Dale.
Wesley now goes to the gym three or four times a week and ìhe inspires me,î Dale added. ìIÃ*m so proud of him; he helped me lighten my own load in life. And heÃ*s getting more independent all the time.î
ìRule No. 1 is keeping the boysÃ* health up,î said Jim. ìMedicare covers acute care, but doesnÃ*t cover a lot of this. They donÃ*t deal with the whole person.î
The use of the bicycle means people like his son recognize they have some control over the condition of their bodies and gives them hope there will be a cure some day, he said.
ìYouÃ*re ready if you keep this up.î
Kevin was independent, working with his brother in Good Brothers Pizza before the accident.
ìItÃ*s like real exercise and it opens up the nerve pathways for the signals from the brain. ItÃ*s called activity-based recovery,î said Kevin who used the bike as many as five times a week at home before it was moved to the Y.
ìIt helps me with my leg spasms for the rest of the day.î
Sharon Peterson, CEO of the YMCA-YWCA (no relation), said the two fathers wanted to ensure maximum access by the community.
ìAnd we really want to be open to all. We immediately said ëYes, of course, letÃ*s do this.Ã* Fitness is one of those evolving disciplines. The able-bodied people here will also learn an appreciation for the challenges facing those who are injured,î she said.
http://www.ok.bc.ca/archive/2003/05/22/stories/4089_full.html
By J.P. SQUIRE
The Daily Courier
Wesley Peterson carefully lifted his feet into padded stirrups, attached electrodes to his legs and his father, Dale, started rotating the pedals of the ERGYS bike.
The 19-year-old was the first person to test the $32,000 specialized exercise bike at the Kelowna Family YMCA-YWCA in Rutland.
Right behind him was Kevin Carta, 22, of Kelowna, who also had spinal cord damage in a motor vehicle accident last year. Both have leg paralysis and other physical challenges.
Their fathers, Dale Peterson and Jim Carta, met in Vancouver while their sons were in rehab.
The two fathers then teamed up to organize the Carta Peterson Golf Tournament, which raised $35,000 to buy the bike, filling a void in exercise opportunities for those with spinal cord injuries.
ìThe tournament was inspired by the love for our sons first, but so a lot of other people in the community would benefit too,î said Dale.
ìThis gave us a focus. We felt very powerless at that point, and we wanted to make a difference,î said Jim.
The ERGYS bike for people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and even strokes has a computer chip which sends low-level electrical currents to electrodes.
The electrical stimulation causes the gluteus maximus (buttocks), quadriceps and calf muscles to contract and the legs automatically pedal the bicycle.
Dale turns the pedals for seven or eight minutes to warm up his sonÃ*s muscles.
ìItÃ*s pretty neat once my legs start firing,î said Wesley, who gets severe spasms in his legs.
ìThereÃ*s a high correlation between exercise and a reduction in spasms and a reduction in medication,î said Dale.
Although researchers are working on a cure for spinal injury, unless one stays active, the muscles atrophy and joints become stiff.
ìWeÃ*re here for the wellness side, keeping the body healthy until thereÃ*s a cure,î said Dale.
When he met Jim, they were the same age, had similar financial professions, sons about the same age facing the same challenge and had similar families.
ìThere were a lot of parallels: we both had a lot of energy, knew a lot of people and cared for our sons. But he was three months ahead of us on the learning curve,î said Dale.
Wesley now goes to the gym three or four times a week and ìhe inspires me,î Dale added. ìIÃ*m so proud of him; he helped me lighten my own load in life. And heÃ*s getting more independent all the time.î
ìRule No. 1 is keeping the boysÃ* health up,î said Jim. ìMedicare covers acute care, but doesnÃ*t cover a lot of this. They donÃ*t deal with the whole person.î
The use of the bicycle means people like his son recognize they have some control over the condition of their bodies and gives them hope there will be a cure some day, he said.
ìYouÃ*re ready if you keep this up.î
Kevin was independent, working with his brother in Good Brothers Pizza before the accident.
ìItÃ*s like real exercise and it opens up the nerve pathways for the signals from the brain. ItÃ*s called activity-based recovery,î said Kevin who used the bike as many as five times a week at home before it was moved to the Y.
ìIt helps me with my leg spasms for the rest of the day.î
Sharon Peterson, CEO of the YMCA-YWCA (no relation), said the two fathers wanted to ensure maximum access by the community.
ìAnd we really want to be open to all. We immediately said ëYes, of course, letÃ*s do this.Ã* Fitness is one of those evolving disciplines. The able-bodied people here will also learn an appreciation for the challenges facing those who are injured,î she said.
http://www.ok.bc.ca/archive/2003/05/22/stories/4089_full.html