Fit & Well: March 1st is National Wheelchair Day

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — For this week’s Fit and Well Idaho Report: March 1st is International Wheelchair Day - a day for wheelchair users to celebrate the positive impact a wheelchair has had on their lives.

Mak Searle, who works for St. Luke’s Magic Valley Community Health, has used a wheelchair since she was in her teens. She not only uses a wheelchair for mobility in everyday tasks, but she has embraced adaptive sports including tennis, mountain biking and skiing.

Searle would like to highlight the positive impact being able to be active has had on her and raise awareness for the Challenged Athletes Foundation in Idaho.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation is an organization that provides opportunities and resources for the disabled community. The foundation is known for getting permanently disabled people active and connect them with an inclusive community.

“After becoming injured, I feel very grateful for those around me who connected to different local nonprofits, and state nonprofits and national nonprofits that support those with physical limitations, to receive grant funding for sports equipment,” said Searle. “So here in Idaho, Challenge Athlete’s Foundation has supported me with many grants as well as Higher Ground.”

The Challenged Athlete’s Foundation of Idaho has a flagship grant program offered to permanently disabled individuals. In order to apply for a CAF grant, an individual must have a permanent physical disability that impairs mobility, affects the neuromuscular system, or impairs balance or motor control.

Chronic pain, hearing impairments, cognitive and developmental disabilities do not qualify for support through CAF’s grant programs. Teams, Organizations, and non-disabled individuals are not eligible to apply for grant support.

The 2024 CAF Grant Period runs from September 1, 2023 – January 31, 2025

September 1, 2023: 2024 Grant application opens.

November 3, 2023: 2024 Grant Application closes

March 2024: Grant Award notifications sent out.

May 31, 2024: Deadline to accept 2024 grant.

January 31, 2025: 2024 Grant Period closes.

Monetary grants must be spent, and receipts uploaded.

Challenged Athlete’s Foundation of Idaho also provides a lot of camps in the Sun Valley through the Woodriver Ability Center, along with other outdoor recreations to improve the lives of those in the disabled community. For more information, visit: Idaho Home Page | Challenged Athletes Foundation or email: caf@challengedathletes.org

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