These boots were made for walking.
And these wheels were made for rolling.
The 16th annual Meyer Foundation Walk and Roll for Disabilities will be held on March 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the Oak View Mall, 3001 S 144th St, Omaha.
Meyer Foundation President Mary McHale estimates the event has raised more than $500,000 to fund recreational programming for adults with disabilities at the Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) and other organizations.
Such programming is important, she said, because opportunities for recreational activities decrease markedly after a person with a disability leaves the educational system at the age of 21.
At UNMC, support the Meyer Foundation through Demin for Disabilities through Feb. 14.
"The Walk and Roll raises funds to help ensure that programs such as MMI's Thursday night recreation program serves as many adults as possible," McHale said. "Funds also support other recreational activities."
The event also is a lot of fun for participants, she said. Some of the fun this year will include appearances by the 501st Garrison (a.k.a. Star Wars stormtroopers and characters), facepainting by Dearheart the Clown and her friends, a photo booth and visits from ROTC units and the drum team from Burke High School.
"It's nice to see families and friends come out in support of their loved one," she said. "The important thing to remember is that we're all the same at the end of the day — all sizes, all abilities, all backgrounds — because we all want the same opportunities to socialize and enjoy ourselves. For people with disabilities, we just need a way to make sure that happens.
"That's what the Walk and Roll does."
McHale also praised the volunteers who turn out for the event, including students from UNMC, the College of Saint Mary, and Creighton University.
Sponsors for this year's event are: The UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute, Thrasher, Paula Graybill, Family Fare and Ideal Pure Water.
Registration for the event is $30 with a regular T-shirt or $35 for a long-sleeved T-shirt. To be guaranteed a shirt, registrations must be made by Feb. 9. Registrations also will be taken at the event for $35, but no T-shirt will be provided. Register and sign up your team online.
To use a paper registration, print this form and mail it to:
Meyer Foundation for Disabilities
985450 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-5450