Today we rode from Corby into London. The Smiths had gone above and beyond their duties as hosts by waking us up to a home made breakfast and packed lunches for the long day ahead of us. It was hard to leave, but we were just as excited to meet with Wheels for Wellbeing at 2:00p.m. at Brockwell Park in London.
The ride was supposed to be around 60 miles but we had to cut it short because of the traffic headache that the olympics had caused. The team racked up and met with Wheels for Wellbeing which is a adaptive bicycle organization that helps those with developmental and physical disabilities. The Awareness Europe team set up cones to make a circular track for the participants to follow. The free session lasted for several hours and they had bicycles that helped individuals at all levels experience the joy of cycling. They had a wide range of cycles to use, from hand cycles to tandem cycles. The session gives everyone an opportunity to display their abilities of cycling. Before the participants arrived, we were allowed to try all of the bikes that they had on display. I especially gained empathy for those who have to use hand cycles. Hunter and I made the mistake of racing each other around the track with the hand cycles and we were exhausted after two laps. I am amazed at the endurance and physical demand that hand cycles must meet while riding and the experience gave me a whole new perspective on the skills or paralympic hand cyclists.
After a full day of cycling along the roads and with the kids at Wheels for Wellbeing, we drove and met with Addisons family friend who was located in London. He treated us to a bbq at a friends house before letting us stay at his flat for much needed rest and relaxation.
-Jay Baumgardner
Monday, August 6, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Abilities
Today was officially the 4th day of Awareness Europe - already time seems to be flashing by and we are having an absolute blast. Today we rode from Gretna Green (A small town in Southwestern Scotland) to Newcastle Upon Tyne in the UK. That meant that today was our first border crossing! After the quick 5 miles to the border we stopped to take pictures (which will be uploaded soon, I promise!) and got back on the bike to make it to Newcastle in time for our friendship visit. Unfortunately, our ride was cut short by some bike malfunctions and we had to rack into Newcastle. After arriving at our sponsored lodging at Newcastle University, we quickly changed into our team t-shirt to go enjoy Visually Impaired Cricket!
The four of us met three members of the Durham Visually Impaired Cricket Club (DVICC) at a metro station near our house. These three gentlemen (who had visual impairments) showed us how to use the metro system in the UK, an impressive feat indeed. After arriving to the cricket club, we were greeted by their coach and began to partake in their practice. The team did their best to explain the rules to four Americans who had grown up with baseball, but even after the extensive rules lesson, there were definitely growing pains throughout practice. The practice was a combination of Ethan, Jay, Addison, and I (Hunter) partaking in drills and helping out with drills. We did our best to help, and really got a sense of empathy while trying to partake in the drills. Trying to hit a ball with a cricket bat with your eyes closed is an extremely tough task. We were the only ones to not ever hit the ball when partaking in batting practice. We then moved onto bowling (pitching) and fielding drills. Now, people with visual impairments were trying to throw the ball in a very specific direction by using noise as their guide. While the players on the cricket team could throw the ball with pin-point accuracy, the four of us once again struggled and definitely brought a lot of laughter to the experienced players of the DVICC. All of us were amazed by the talent and abilities this team had. One of Push's core values is Abilities - encouraging us to focus on the abilities of an individual as opposed to the disabilities of that individual. Today was a perfect example of why that is so important. For most people, the members of the DVICC are people with a visual impairment. Unfortunately, that is the most prevalent part of our thoughts, too. For us, though, the members of the DVICC are incredible cricket players first, and the fact that they have a visual impairment only makes their abilities that much more impressive. It is our hope here on Awareness Europe that our efforts encourage others to look beyond people's disabilities and focus on their abilities. By doing so, chances are, you'll find that someone with a disability most likely has an ability that you don't have, and it will blow you away.
-Hunter Sprague
The four of us met three members of the Durham Visually Impaired Cricket Club (DVICC) at a metro station near our house. These three gentlemen (who had visual impairments) showed us how to use the metro system in the UK, an impressive feat indeed. After arriving to the cricket club, we were greeted by their coach and began to partake in their practice. The team did their best to explain the rules to four Americans who had grown up with baseball, but even after the extensive rules lesson, there were definitely growing pains throughout practice. The practice was a combination of Ethan, Jay, Addison, and I (Hunter) partaking in drills and helping out with drills. We did our best to help, and really got a sense of empathy while trying to partake in the drills. Trying to hit a ball with a cricket bat with your eyes closed is an extremely tough task. We were the only ones to not ever hit the ball when partaking in batting practice. We then moved onto bowling (pitching) and fielding drills. Now, people with visual impairments were trying to throw the ball in a very specific direction by using noise as their guide. While the players on the cricket team could throw the ball with pin-point accuracy, the four of us once again struggled and definitely brought a lot of laughter to the experienced players of the DVICC. All of us were amazed by the talent and abilities this team had. One of Push's core values is Abilities - encouraging us to focus on the abilities of an individual as opposed to the disabilities of that individual. Today was a perfect example of why that is so important. For most people, the members of the DVICC are people with a visual impairment. Unfortunately, that is the most prevalent part of our thoughts, too. For us, though, the members of the DVICC are incredible cricket players first, and the fact that they have a visual impairment only makes their abilities that much more impressive. It is our hope here on Awareness Europe that our efforts encourage others to look beyond people's disabilities and focus on their abilities. By doing so, chances are, you'll find that someone with a disability most likely has an ability that you don't have, and it will blow you away.
-Hunter Sprague
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
1st Day of Cycling
Hello Everyone!
As Hunter, Jay, Ethan and I (Addison) are sitting in our hotel room, we look back at this first day of cycling. We got a much later start than we will in the future - it was about 2:30 local time before we began the ride. We had to put the bikes together this morning, since Jay and my bike didn't arrive until 11 pm last night. We also had to pick up pay-as-you-go phones for our calls within Europe. And we had to make all the final preparations needed for a trip like this (plus, coping with jet-lag). On Journey of Hope, we had three days in San Francisco before we kicked off. For this trip, we tried to kick off in less than twenty four hours.
The day was, at the very least, an incredible learning experience. It was me and Jay's first real cycling day on a Push America event and it kicked our butt. The Scottish roads hit us with a three-pronged attack, like a powerful trident. First we faced some intense headwinds, spurred on by the coming rains. When the rain did come, we lost a lot of visibility - it was getting late in the day and the sun had already set behind the hills. So at 7:30 we had to rack up the bikes and head the rest of the way to the hotel in the car. The last challenge we faced was the road itself - it was so darn bumpy! We were literally cycling on cemented rocks- like gravel but not loose. To speak bluntly, our butts could be not be sorer! But most importantly, we are all safe and we had a great time.
We got settled into our hotel by about 8:00, showered and grabbed some dinner. Now, it's 10:00 pm here in Gretna Green, Scotland and we're headed to bed. 5 am wake up tomorrow, so we need some sleep! Cheers!
-Addison & The Awareness Europe
As Hunter, Jay, Ethan and I (Addison) are sitting in our hotel room, we look back at this first day of cycling. We got a much later start than we will in the future - it was about 2:30 local time before we began the ride. We had to put the bikes together this morning, since Jay and my bike didn't arrive until 11 pm last night. We also had to pick up pay-as-you-go phones for our calls within Europe. And we had to make all the final preparations needed for a trip like this (plus, coping with jet-lag). On Journey of Hope, we had three days in San Francisco before we kicked off. For this trip, we tried to kick off in less than twenty four hours.
The day was, at the very least, an incredible learning experience. It was me and Jay's first real cycling day on a Push America event and it kicked our butt. The Scottish roads hit us with a three-pronged attack, like a powerful trident. First we faced some intense headwinds, spurred on by the coming rains. When the rain did come, we lost a lot of visibility - it was getting late in the day and the sun had already set behind the hills. So at 7:30 we had to rack up the bikes and head the rest of the way to the hotel in the car. The last challenge we faced was the road itself - it was so darn bumpy! We were literally cycling on cemented rocks- like gravel but not loose. To speak bluntly, our butts could be not be sorer! But most importantly, we are all safe and we had a great time.
We got settled into our hotel by about 8:00, showered and grabbed some dinner. Now, it's 10:00 pm here in Gretna Green, Scotland and we're headed to bed. 5 am wake up tomorrow, so we need some sleep! Cheers!
-Addison & The Awareness Europe
Day 1: An Incredible Start!
Hey Everyone!
Sorry for the delay with this blogpost, yesterday was an extremely busy day filled with lost luggage, no internet at the hotel, jet lag, but most importantly an incredible friendship visit.
The day began with Jay, Addison, and myself meeting up at Amsterdam International airport to catch our connection to Glasgow - Ethan was on another flight. we arrived with only one minor problem, Jay and Addison's bikes had failed to make the connection! Luckily, it arrived on a later flight, but nonetheless, we were definitely very worried. After checking in our hotel, picking up our rental car, and organising all of our stuff, we headed to our first friendship visit with Drumschapel Disabled Action.
The visit started with a tour of the facilities. Dumschapel Disabled Action (DDA2 as they call themselves) is a day center for people with disabilities. DDA2 offers every service imaginable to help people with disabilities from sensory room therapy to therapeutic baths to a sports room designed for adaptive exercise. It was interesting to tour the facilities and listen to the director explain how their facilities work. We learned a lot about how their funding works, and the general attitude towards people with disabilities in Scotland. It wasn't much different than the US, but there were indeed differences.
After our tour, the fun really began. We played an adaptive and indoor version of bocce ball. The four of us were definitely not very good at that game. However, the members of DDA2 were absolutely incredible. In fact, the best player was a man named Graham who had cerebral palsy. It was an excellent example of abilities, and why its so important that we focus on abilities instead of focusing on disabilities. Yes, Graham did have CP, but more importantly, Graham was also the best bocce ball player in the room.
The day ended with two wonderful surprises. The first was a sponsored meal of traditional Scottish dishes. The food included potato break, mashed potatoes, blood pudding, and haggis. For those who don't know, haggis is made from sheep organs cooked inside a sheep's stomach. Honestly, the haggis was the best part! It was a wonderufl meal, and we were grateful for it being sponsored, as well as allowing us to try something that was very new (and very strange). Our second surprise was 4 stained glass paintings made by the participants of DDA2 for us. After some pictures, we told the group what our plans were for the rest of the trip and informed them that they will be receiving 750 Pounds (1,250 Dollars). A big thanks to our sponsors for helping make that happen.
All in all, it was an incredible start to this new event. They can't wait to have us back next year, and we look forward to it as well.
Sorry for the delay with this blogpost, yesterday was an extremely busy day filled with lost luggage, no internet at the hotel, jet lag, but most importantly an incredible friendship visit.
The day began with Jay, Addison, and myself meeting up at Amsterdam International airport to catch our connection to Glasgow - Ethan was on another flight. we arrived with only one minor problem, Jay and Addison's bikes had failed to make the connection! Luckily, it arrived on a later flight, but nonetheless, we were definitely very worried. After checking in our hotel, picking up our rental car, and organising all of our stuff, we headed to our first friendship visit with Drumschapel Disabled Action.
The visit started with a tour of the facilities. Dumschapel Disabled Action (DDA2 as they call themselves) is a day center for people with disabilities. DDA2 offers every service imaginable to help people with disabilities from sensory room therapy to therapeutic baths to a sports room designed for adaptive exercise. It was interesting to tour the facilities and listen to the director explain how their facilities work. We learned a lot about how their funding works, and the general attitude towards people with disabilities in Scotland. It wasn't much different than the US, but there were indeed differences.
After our tour, the fun really began. We played an adaptive and indoor version of bocce ball. The four of us were definitely not very good at that game. However, the members of DDA2 were absolutely incredible. In fact, the best player was a man named Graham who had cerebral palsy. It was an excellent example of abilities, and why its so important that we focus on abilities instead of focusing on disabilities. Yes, Graham did have CP, but more importantly, Graham was also the best bocce ball player in the room.
The day ended with two wonderful surprises. The first was a sponsored meal of traditional Scottish dishes. The food included potato break, mashed potatoes, blood pudding, and haggis. For those who don't know, haggis is made from sheep organs cooked inside a sheep's stomach. Honestly, the haggis was the best part! It was a wonderufl meal, and we were grateful for it being sponsored, as well as allowing us to try something that was very new (and very strange). Our second surprise was 4 stained glass paintings made by the participants of DDA2 for us. After some pictures, we told the group what our plans were for the rest of the trip and informed them that they will be receiving 750 Pounds (1,250 Dollars). A big thanks to our sponsors for helping make that happen.
All in all, it was an incredible start to this new event. They can't wait to have us back next year, and we look forward to it as well.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Its Here Everyone!
So as you can see, this is only the 4th post on
our blog. We have saved our blogging for the trip so we can focus on sharing
our story of understanding and acceptance with you guys. You can expect a blog
(or two!) a day, so please keep checking back to hear about us. As for right
now, we are all at airports waiting to catch our flights to Glasgow. Before we
officially begin, here are some things to know about Awareness Europe before we
get underway!
Currently there are four of us heading to Europe! Each of us
will be contributing to this blog, and the writer of each post will sign off
with their name so you know who is writing what! Although its only four headed
to Europe, the Awareness Europe team is comprised of 8 Pi Kappa Phis – 7 from
Texas Christian University and 1 from The University of Iowa. The four headed
to Europe are Hunter Sprague (Project Manager & Cyclist), Addison White
(Cyclist), Jay Baumgardner (Cyclist), and Ethan Collins (Crew Chief), Ethan is
the Pi Kappa phi from The University of Iowa. Four other guys were crucial to
the success of our team, but unfortunately were unable to cycle with us in
Europe. Garret Grimes created our incredible logo and was in charge of all of
our T-shirt and Jersey designs. Tim Cason created our social media pages and
oversees our social media activities. Matt Riesen and Graham McMillan both
helped in the planning process of the trip. The eight of us have worked very
hard in planning the trip and now that we are merely 3 days away from beginning
our trek, we could not be more excited. We also wanted to say a big “Thank
You!” to everyone who has supported us! A special thanks to our donors, especially
our two corporate sponsors Ann Arbor T Shirt Company and Asia Broadcast
Satellite (ABS). Ann Arbor T Shirt Company is operated by a Pi Kappa Phi from
The University of Michigan and has given us discounted printed jerseys and team
t-shirts helping us give more money to people with disabilities. Asia Broadcast
Satellite (ABS) has donated $5,000 and is our executive sponsor. Their help has
ensured that we can cover all of our costs and, more importantly, allow us to
give even more money to people with disabilities. KinderFrogs School and the
Down Syndrome Partnership of Tarrant County each gave us $1,000 – and we could
not be more proud to have their support. Thanks again for all your support,
everyone! We start this coming Monday! Please keep us in your prayers and wish
us the best.
- Hunter Sprague
Saturday, July 28, 2012
KinderFrogs. Our Inspiration
Hello Everyone! In less than 48 hours we will arrive in
Glasgow, Scotland to begin the inaugural ride of Awareness Europe Presented by Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS). For those who don’t know already,
Awareness Europe Presented by Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) has dedicated our
ride to the children at KinderFrogs. The team will wear the school’s logo
(pictured above) on the front of cycling jersey. KinderFrogs is a school on
TCU’s campus that helps young children with Downs Syndrome prepare for the
public school system by the time they are to enter Kindergarten.
Our decision to dedicate Awareness Europe to KinderFrogs is
simple: KinderFrogs inspired us to create Awareness Europe. Their smiles, energy, and incredible abilities have inspired me since the first time I visited the school. Here is our story: Up
until college, I had regularly used the word “retarded” and had an incorrect
view of people with disabilities. I focused on people’s disabilities, and had a
complete lack of understanding of the amazing things people with disabilities
are capable of. Without a doubt, the first smiling face I saw at KinderFrogs, I
understood there was something incredible about those children. Week after
week, I saw amazing things happen. I began to focus on abilities, like their
ability to speak Sign Language, and to always have a smile on their face. The
volunteering eventually encouraged me to participate in the Journey of Hope.
JOH was an unbelievable experience that was very rewarding. I knew I needed to
give something back to the group of inspiring young children who’s smiles and
energy encourage me to do JOH. I knew how important it was to show them how
much they meant to me and to Pi Kappa Phi at TCU, they were the reason I wanted
to create awareness Europe, and I could not be more proud to have their logo on
the front of our jersey. To the KinderFrogs, their friends, families, and
teachers, thank you for letting us be inspired by your children.
-Hunter Sprague
Be sure to follow us on twitter and like us on Facebook for live updates while we are on the road.
@AwarenessEurope
www.facebook.com/awarenesseurope
Monday, April 16, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)