Jogging Chair

Prior to the race…I had just transferred Alex to the jog chair and he was still on his ventilator. 

Wendy (our dear friend and Alex’s first physical therapist) .

Wendy and Alex just enjoying a laugh together. 

A moment of triumph. Alex was on his diaphragm pacer only(no vent) during the entire race. Wendy had had major reconstructive work done on her leg after a horrific fall…we stuck together 💪🏻

 Since it’s spinal cord awareness month I thought I’d share this video, pictures, and post from 2013/14. 

In June of 2013 I had heard about a special jogging chair that would allow my son ALex to able to experience the fun of running. I then heard about Ainsley’s Angels through a connection with a gentleman who now builds specialized running chairs for individuals who would not be able to go do a road race on their own. 

Ainsley’s Angels helps get individuals into running chairs and pair that individual with someone to push them(an angel). For us, several individuals donated to a fund to help get the chair for my son. Alex eventually outgrew that chair and we have not sought to get the bigger one so far….maybe one day 🤔 

There are so many possibilities to get out and enjoy life. It just takes some effort ☺️

In the video you can hear how much Alex Malarkey was enjoying himself. Also, because Alex was using the diaphragm pacer to help him to breathe and not the ventilator he was taking air in through his nose which meant he could smell. It’s hard to smell on a ventilator. 

Here is the post from 2013…

ALex got in his jogging chair again yesterday after standing first for almost an hour on his tilt table. He did great. We made it four laps on the driveway. I am posting a video that my Grace shot. She did a fantastic job!!!You will see in the video how steep our driveway is and how long. I want to go to the track at the school so bad. I know we could make it quite a distance. We are both going to build up so much endurance. ALex used his pacer only again while we were jogging/walking, and he said his breathing felt great. He only struggled when I put him back into his wheelchair. The change of position caused the struggle. I will have to put his wheelchair into a more reclined position the next time. We are making progress. Again, thank you to all who donated to help us to get the chair, to those who have prayed and offered words of encouragement, to Ainsleys Angels, who do an amazing job of trying to promote inclusion, and to Team Hoyt, who have inspired so many to get out there and run, feel the wind, just move. 

#sci #livingnotjustsurviving #onemore #noslacking