“Sailing away for a fun day” |
| Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:40 PM PDT Like a well-oiled machine, a small army of staff members, interns and volunteers helped about 50 Craig Hospital patients move down to the beach at Cherry Creek Reservoir so they could go for a boat ride. The crews set up canopies for shade and put down mats so wheelchairs could roll more easily on the sand to get down to the edge of the water where they could choose to go out on the water in a catamaran-hulled Hobie Cat sailboat, a motor boat or a pontoon boat. There were also helpers on hand to help the patients get out of their wheelchairs and onto the boats and then get back into the wheelchair when the boat rides were completed. Patients sat under the canopies, waiting their turn on the water and, like most of the patients, David Velarde returned to shade under the canopy after the boating experience. "This was a very cool day," Velarde said as he relaxed in the shade. "This is the first time I have ridden on a sailboat and I found it to be like something from another world. The boat moves along the water so smoothly and quietly so it is very calm and peaceful out there on the water. It was an awesome experience." He said the field trip also was a great chance to get out to where he could enjoy nature and the outdoors."I feel great and really enjoy the day," the Pagosa Springs man said. "It's great that, while the sun is out, it's not too hot and there is a good breeze. It is just an all-around great day." The popular sailboats were all members of Hobie Cat Fleet 61 and each boat owner volunteered to bring the vessel to the beach and and take the Craig patients out on the water. "I have been sailing Hobie Cats for 32 years and I have been bringing my boat to this event for the last eight or nine years," said Cory Shedd, boat owner. "It is an enjoyable experience and I think I enjoy it as much as my boat's passengers. The Craig patients are great and usually they are smiling and seem to really enjoy sailing." He said he always come away from the day with the sense of satisfaction that maybe he has done a little something to help these patients try to adjust to their physical challenges by simply giving them a ride on his boat. Not far away, Selma Hafizbegovic had her wheelchair parked in the shade as she ate lunch. "Everything about the day is great," she said with a smile. "I rode on the pontoon boat and it sure provided a good break from the daily routine and being inside so much." She said she was impressed by all the people who wanted to help the patients. "It is amazing to see so many people put so much energy to making this a good day for us," she said. "It makes me feel good that they are willing to do this for us and I think all of us appreciate all the work that goes into making this happen." The chance to leave the wheelchair behind and get out on the water is a great feeling, David Snyder said. "Out there on the boat, there is a feeling of freedom and I really like it because it is so nice to feel the wind blowing on me," the Oregon man said. The outing included a picnic-style dinner with hot dogs, hamburgers, cookies and ice cream. Kent Loweke was one of those who volunteered for the hot job of staffing the grill. "Craig is such a great facility and I like to do all I can to help the patients," the Elizabeth man said. "That's why I agreed to cook. Oh, it is a hot job but it's rewarding to know I am doing a little something to make this a good day for the Craig patients, their families and all the volunteers." Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction. |
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