“Confined to a wheelchair.”
Those are the last four words anyone wants to hear after an accident.
In August 2005, Greg Callen fell off a second-story balcony. The accident paralyzed him from the waist down and confined him to a wheelchair. Afterwards, he wanted was motivated to help the disabled community.
His recovery was a long process. Four years after the accident he created one of the only nonprofits in Central New York with the goal to improve lives of the physically disabled with sports. Through his accident evolved a new organization called Move Along Incorporated. Callen is the founder of the organization.
“We are starting programs that enable people who have physical limitations, but also engage them with other people who are able bodied,” said Callen. “We don’t just provide athletics, but life skills and values people can learn and carry throughout their life. It’s all about building the confidence in themselves.”
Since the organization formed in 2009, it has incorporated many programs including basketball, tennis and sled hockey. Callen hopes to expand his program across the country by educating the community.
“The goal of Move Along is to reach out to communities in the Central New York area,” Callen said, “and bring together families and friends that know someone (who is) physically disabled.”
The Kaye family has been active participants in Move Along since the beginning. The Kayes have a daughter, Brittany, 7, who has Spina Bifida, which is a congenital defect of the spine that left her paralyzed in her lower limbs She relies on a wheelchair for sports and strenuous activities.
“The first time we participated in a Move Along activity Brittany compared it to going to Disney World,” Karen Kaye said of her daughter. “Between the programs and the wonderful group of mentors, volunteers and participants I’ve seen Brittany’s self esteem grow in leaps and bounds.”
Not only has Brittany benefited from Move Along Inc., so has the whole Kaye family.
“Move Along offers our family a great support system, fun activities and more smiles than you could possibly imagine,” Kaye said. “Move Along members have taught us that if you believe you can do it there is always a way, you just need to make it happen.”
Move Along has programs have attracted many individuals, among them is Alli Morgan, 20.
During her sophomore year of high school in 2005, Morgan tore her Anterior Cruciate Ligament(ACL) during a field hockey game. She had surgery to repair the tear. It wasn’t successful. She suffered from regular pain, but wanted to resume playing sports. She sought advice from another doctor and had additional surgeries that resulted in complications; including multiple infections, excessive bleeding and a large non-healing hole in her leg. After visiting a world renowned hematologist she was diagnosed with a rare connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Recently, she decided to amputate her leg.
When Morgan sought out Move Along's sled hockey program in 2010 she had not played sports since her injury,
“I was just looking to play sports but in addition to that I found a warm, supportive group of people,” said Morgan.
Athletics were a huge part of her life before she was hurt.
“The moment I hit the ice on my first day of practice, it was like something switched back on in my head,” said Morgan. “Move Along gave me the joy of competitive athletics back and a sense of community. I can't describe the feeling you get when you find someone who knows exactly what you're going through. I have gotten this feeling time and time again throughout my experiences with Move Along.”
Morgan believes sports are also good for the mind. They provide a sense of competition and an emotional outlet.
“I definitely think it is important for disabled individuals to stay fit and sports are a great way to do so,” said Morgan. “It is even more important for disabled people to stay healthy because they have other medical hardships.”
Move Along collaborated with the Spina Bifida Center, SUNY Cortland’s Department of AdaptED (adapt education) Physical Education to put together a six-month swim program. Dr. Nienke Dosa, an associate professor of pediatrics and medical director of the Spina Bifida Center at the Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, is a supporter of Move Along.
“Every week, our patients (children with Spina Bifida) could come with parents and siblings for a family dinner and a night of fun in the pool or gym,” said Dr. Dosa in a University Hospital newsletter. “It was great for the patients to share their activities with their families, and it was a great social networking opportunity for the adults.”
With the current programs upholding as well as they are, Move Along is progressing toward the ultimate goal of multiple destinations throughout the country.
“The joy in enabling a child to participate in athletics while developing friendships and life skills has become my passion,” said Callen, “and the reward is endless once I see the children and their families smiling.”“Confined to a wheelchair.”
Those are the last four words anyone wants to hear after an accident.
In August 2005, Greg Callen fell off a second-story balcony. The accident paralyzed him from the waist down and confined him to a wheelchair. Afterwards, he wanted was motivated to help the disabled community.
His recovery was a long process. Four years after the accident he created one of the only nonprofits in Central New York with the goal to improve lives of the physically disabled with sports.Through his accident evolved a new organization called Move Along Incorporated. Callen is the founder of the organization.
“We are starting programs that enable people who have physical limitations, but also engage them with other people who are able bodied,” said Callen. “We don’t just provide athletics, but life skills and values people can learn and carry throughout their life. It’s all about building the confidence in themselves.”
Since the organization formed in 2009, it has incorporated many programs including basketball, tennis and sled hockey. Callen hopes to expand his program across the country by educating the community.
“The goal of Move Along is to reach out to communities in the Central New York area,” Callen said, “and bring together families and friends that know someone (who is) physically disabled.”
The Kaye family has been active participants in Move Along since the beginning. The Kayes have a daughter, Brittany, 7, who has Spina Bifida, which is a congenital defect of the spine that left her paralyzed in her lower limbsShe relies on a wheelchair for sports and strenuous activities.
“The first time we participated in a Move Along activity Brittany compared it to going to Disney World,” Karen Kaye said of her daughter. “Between the programs and the wonderful group of mentors, volunteers and participants I’ve seen Brittany’s self esteem grow in leaps and bounds.”
Not only has Brittany benefited from Move Along Inc., so has the whole Kaye family.
“Move Along offers our family a great support system, fun activities and more smiles than you could possibly imagine,” Kaye said. “Move Along members have taught us that if you believe you can do it there is always a way, you just need to make it happen.”
Move Along has programs have attracted many individuals, among them is Alli Morgan, 20.
During her sophomore year of high school in 2005, Morgan tore her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) during a field hockey game. She had surgery to repair the tear. It wasn’t successful. She suffered from regular pain, but wanted to resume playing sports. She sought advice from another doctor and had additional surgeries that resulted in complications; including multiple infections, excessive bleeding and a large non-healing hole in her leg. After visiting a world renowned hematologist she was diagnosed with a rare connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Recently, she decided to amputate her leg.
When Morgan sought out Move Along's sled hockey program in 2010 she had not played sports since her injury,
“I was just looking to play sports but in addition to that I found a warm, supportive group of people,” said Morgan.
Athletics were a huge part of her life before she was hurt.
“The moment I hit the ice on my first day of practice, it was like something switched back on in my head,” said Morgan. “Move Along gave me the joy of competitive athletics back and a sense of community. I can't describe the feeling you get when you find someone who knows exactly what you're going through. I have gotten this feeling time and time again throughout my experiences with Move Along.”
Morgan believes sports are also good for the mind. They provide a sense of competition and an emotional outlet.
“I definitely think it is important for disabled individuals to stay fit and sports are a great way to do so,” said Morgan. “It is even more important for disabled people to stay healthy because they have other medical hardships.”
Move Along collaborated with the Spina Bifida Center, SUNY Cortland’s Department of AdaptED (adapt education) Physical Education to put together a six-month swim program. Dr. Nienke Dosa, an associate professor of pediatrics and medical director of the Spina Bifida Center at the Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, is a supporter of Move Along.
“Every week, our patients (children with Spina Bifida) could come with parents and siblings for a family dinner and a night of fun in the pool or gym,”said Dr. Dosa in a University Hospital newsletter. “It was great for the patients to share their activities with their families, and it was a great social networking opportunity for the adults.”
With the current programs upholding as well as they are, Move Along is progressing toward the ultimate goal of multiple destinations throughout the country.
“The joy in enabling a child to participate in athletics while developing friendships and life skills has become my passion,” said Callen, “and the reward is endless once I see the children and their families smiling.”
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