From the Internet (DesMoines Register) - ed CYCLIST PEDALS PAST PARALYSIS By Dawn Sagrio
Tim Ascherl suffered a spinal cord injury 18 years ago during a wrestling match as a student at Drake University. But that didn't stop him from riding a bicycle. About six years after his injury he bought an adapted version that you pedal with your hands. "It's the best thing I ever did," he said. "I really enjoy it." Ascherl is now chairman of the newly formed Spinal Cord Injury Association of Iowa. The group is hosting a free clinic Saturday at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines for people with spinal cord injuries to try their hand at riding an adapted cycle like the one Ascherl uses. Adapted cycling uses handcycles, which are three-wheeled bikes you pedal with your hands instead of your feet. Demonstrations and instruction will be available on a wide range of bikes to suit different abilities and skill levels. In addition to the clinic, a membership drive will be held for the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Iowa. People with spinal cord injuries can sign up for a free, first-year membership. "Our clinic is twofold," Ascherl said. "One is to get people more involved in different sorts of sports and recreation, and we're also starting the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Iowa." About 250,000 people in the United States have a spinal cord injury, according to the University of Alabama at Birmingham's National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. Motor vehicle crashes account for about 48 percent of reported spinal cord injury cases since 2000. The next most common causes are falls, acts of violence (primarily gunshot wounds) and recreational sporting activities. Ascherl said he hopes the event not only spawns more activities statewide for spinal cord injury survivors in the future—like outings for water-skiing, boating, fishing and kayaking—but also increases the awareness, resources and accessibility of specially adapted recreational equipment. Cost of the equipment can sometimes be a barrier. Handcycles can cost anywhere from $1,900 to $4,200 Ascherl said. He said there's greater access to equipment in bigger cities like Phoenix, where physical therapists can use adapted cycles provided through the city's recreation department. Ascherl would like to see similar services in Iowa. "Hopefully maybe we can get to that point if they see there's a population here in need of some recreational activities," he said.
Tim Ascherle and his bicycle.
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