LOVELAND QUADRIPLEGIC “GEARS UP” TO CYCLE ACROSS COLORADO TO RAISE
AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR DENVER-BASED SCI RECOVERY PROJECT
August 26, 2011 -- Loveland, CO – Recovering quadriplegic, Jay LaPointe, 38, of Loveland, CO, is currently in peak training for a trans-state ride themed “Pedal For My Peeps,” slated to begin on Monday, September 26, 2011, and finish on Monday, October 10, 2011, with the purpose of raising awareness and funds for Denver-based SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) Recovery Project.
Just prior to entering the Pro Motocross ranks, a motocross crash in 2004 left LaPointe paralyzed from the neck down with a three percent chance of ever walking again. Through his hard work, determination, and the help and support of SCI Recovery Project and numerous other people, or “peeps,” LaPointe has since regained movement, strength and mobility far beyond what the odds should allow.
Alternating between two specially designed trikes, the first a Project One Trek Madone, combined with a custom two wheeled axle from Geoff Booker of Oxfordshire England, and the other a Catrike recumbent, LaPointe will begin the ride at the Wyoming border and follow a route across the entire state of Colorado, ending at the New Mexico border.
“The people at SCI Recovery Project have helped me achieve a level of functionality that many, including some of my doctors, thought was impossible,” said LaPointe. “With the support of Trek Bikes, Go Fast Sports, my local bike shop Bike-N-Hike, Braaap Energy Bars, along with A Charm For Charity, and BR4SS Underwear I am hoping that this ride in some way will allow me to re-pay my “peeps” at SCI Recovery Project for all they have done for me, and also allow others like me to achieve similar recovery results.
LaPointe’s training schedule is not for the faint of heart. Working through a grueling workout schedule, he cycles for 3 hours a day, five to six days a week, with gym workouts interspersed. The challenges of managing body sensations, an inability to sweat, and heat tolerance are only a few of the details LaPointe must factor into his training.
The newly expanded SCI Recovery Project, located at 866 East 78th Avenue in Denver, Colorado, is a non-profit organization specializing in providing exercise based recovery programs for individuals who have suffered a spinal cord injury (SCI), stroke, or similar trauma. Using neuromuscular reeducation, weightbearing activities, functional electrical stimulation (FES) with the RTI 300 bike, strength training, flexibility, and gait training, SCI Recovery Project has helped numerous clients achieve maximal neuromuscular recovery and functional ability. The center can be reached at (303) 286-0918.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled that Jay has decided to do this ride for us,” said Amanda Wilson, Operations Manager at SCI Recovery Project. “His amazing hard work and dedication to his recovery is really pouring through along with his amazing will to help others, and that is really special.”
A donation campaign has been established where supporters can donate money or purchase items to support the ride effort. An invitation is also extended to cyclists wanting to participate alongside LaPointe in support. For more information or to donate, visit LaPointe’s Recovery blog at http://www.jaylapointe.com/pedal_for_my_peeps.
