{"id":116752,"date":"2024-10-31T15:01:02","date_gmt":"2024-10-31T20:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=116752"},"modified":"2024-12-27T14:47:45","modified_gmt":"2024-12-27T20:47:45","slug":"wheel-club-offers-inclusion-and-independence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2024\/10\/31\/wheel-club-offers-inclusion-and-independence\/","title":{"rendered":"Wheel Club offers inclusion and independence"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Dozens of cyclists riding tandem bikes took off from the parking lot of the Munroe-Meyer Institute on a brisk, sunny October day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before settling into their bike seats, riders shifted from their wheelchairs, filled up water bottles and donned bike helmets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cyclists, accompanied by family members or MMI staffers, were eager to hit the nearby Keystone Trail or wind through Elmwood Park and Aksarben Village for an outing with the Munroe-Meyer Institute\u2019s Wheel Club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wheel Club, which meets on Sundays, draws about 30 participants each session, said Jonathan Purcell, an adaptive therapy specialist at MMI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The club is open to individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as their family and friends. Many club members are regulars, signing up year after year. But new riders join sessions, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grace Ramirez, 20, recently completed her third Wheel Club ride alongside her mother, Arcelia Ramirez. They opted to ride toward Stinson Park before looping back to MMI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They signed up to get some exercise, Arcelia Ramirez said, adding that the stationary bike at home is a good exercise option, but being outside offers something more.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Arcelia Ramirez, left, and Grace Ramirez pose for a photo after finishing a ride through MMI’s Wheel Club.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Grace Ramirez said she likes socializing with other club and staff members. Getting to steer on the bike rides has been a highlight, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mother-daughter duo plans to continue with the club outings, especially as Grace has started aging out of other disability programming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a lot of fun,\u201d Arcelia Ramirez said. \u201cWe have two littles at home, so it\u2019s nice for just the two of us to hang out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wheel Club offers seven-week sessions in spring and fall. During each session, participants ride a tandem bicycle, provided by MMI, for one hour. Riders have the option to take whatever route they\u2019re most comfortable with while accompanied by a family member or MMI staff member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purcell, who has been involved with Wheel Club for about 10 years, said attendees gain a lot from the program. Until recently, he said, there weren\u2019t a lot of cycling opportunities for individuals with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot only is this an opportunity to ride a bike, but it\u2019s also a social gathering,\u201d Purcell said. \u201cIt offers the natural leisure of a bike ride in the park. Parents get to ride with their kids when they may not have thought that would be possible.\u201d   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talisa Stumpf, a longtime Wheel Club member, has ridden with her parents and siblings, but she much prefers riding with staff members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTalisa is a social butterfly,\u201d her mother Marlene Stumpf said. \u201cShe loves the people here. It\u2019s a family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talisa Stumpf has participated in MMI programming since she was 9 years old. Now 33, she still attends some institute programs, including Cooking Club. She\u2019s made lasting friendships with her peers and MMI staff and volunteers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Wheel Club, she often rides around Elmwood Park or into Aksarben. She always brings her portable speaker to have music along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the 33-year-old, it\u2019s a chance to be independent and squeeze in some exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her mother said Wheel Club fills a gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis enables inclusion,\u201d Marlene Stumpf said. \u201cIf we were on our own, she wouldn\u2019t be able to ride one of these bikes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wheel Club is open to individuals with developmental disabilities as well as their family and friends. Many club members are regulars, signing up year after year. 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