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Lindsay Heimkes: Getting stronger with ABLE
In the summer of 2006, Lindsay Heimkes was looking forward to her sophomore year at Sheridan College in Wyoming. A member of the school's basketball team, she was tall, strong, healthy, and active - until a devastating car crash on July 12 left her paralyzed. A quadriplegic.
In 2009, back home in Minnesota, Lindsay heard about a program at Courage Center called ABLE, for Activity-Based Locomotor Exercise. Part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation NeuroRecovery Network, ABLE is a new approach to an old truth: that exercise is good for everyone, even people living with paralysis. Most participants experience improvements in health, fitness, strength, and quality of life.
At first, Lindsay's goals with ABLE were simple: to stabilize her health and improve her core strength. But after three months of customized workouts, she took her first steps with a walker. For people with spinal cord injury, being upright again and walking, even with help, are amazing feats.
"I've definitely gotten a lot stronger," Lindsay says. "I look a lot healthier. I have more core strength so I don't tip over when I reach for things or use my computer.
"ABLE gives me hope and encouragement. Years post-injury, I have had significant changes. It shows that you should never give up. And it doesn't feel like therapy because we're always having fun. You can tell Courage Center employees really care."
In 2009, back home in Minnesota, Lindsay heard about a program at Courage Center called ABLE, for Activity-Based Locomotor Exercise. Part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation NeuroRecovery Network, ABLE is a new approach to an old truth: that exercise is good for everyone, even people living with paralysis. Most participants experience improvements in health, fitness, strength, and quality of life.
At first, Lindsay's goals with ABLE were simple: to stabilize her health and improve her core strength. But after three months of customized workouts, she took her first steps with a walker. For people with spinal cord injury, being upright again and walking, even with help, are amazing feats.
"I've definitely gotten a lot stronger," Lindsay says. "I look a lot healthier. I have more core strength so I don't tip over when I reach for things or use my computer.
"ABLE gives me hope and encouragement. Years post-injury, I have had significant changes. It shows that you should never give up. And it doesn't feel like therapy because we're always having fun. You can tell Courage Center employees really care."
Courage Center meets all 16 Accountability Standards set forth by the Minnesota Charities Review Council, indicating a commitment to accountable ethical practices.
