For the second straight year, the Run Through Redlands is teaming up with PossAbilities to welcome wheelchair athletes to the events.
A community outreach program developed by the Loma Linda University East Campus, PossAbilities aims to offer disabled individuals who were born with, or have suffered, a permanent physical injury a sense of community and provide activities and practical help to integrate them back into life.
“When we see programs or events where we are able to integrate able and disabled people together, we do that,” said PossAbilities Program Coordinator Cotie Williams. “All of the events that we sponsor provide our members the opportunity to be involved with able bodies. And the Run Through Redlands is a great event for our members to participate in.”
Williams said roughly 15 wheelchair athletes participated in the Run Through Redlands last year and she expects to have the same amount this year.
PossAbilities is a free membership program and that is tailored to people with physical disabilities such as limb amputations, stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and others.
The program is made possible through the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and participates in events in the area, including the Redlands Bicycle Classic.
Awards will be given out to the top five finishers in the wheelchair division of each event.
