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Hi, my name is Mike Schlappi and I'm talking to you today about hand cycles. As you may
or may not know, depending on who you are, your experiences in life, when you experience
a disability your life changes. And some people never overcome that, and they end up at home,
they become very sedentary, and very depressed. I think only about 35, 36 percent of people
with disabilities even get out and exercise in any capacity, yet alone snowmobiling or
playing basketball. But a good way to start, a very basic way I think, a social way, just
very non-threatening, is to get out of your wheelchair, sit in a hand cycle that's very
much like a bicycle that you pedal with your hands, and just cruise around the neighborhood,
meet people, get a sun tan--you'll just feel good. It will get you out of the house, you
will love life and it will get you in shape. Having strong shoulders is important when
you're in a wheelchair because it helps you be able to transfer or get dressed, or just
do the things you need to do in a wheelchair--very important. You know, occasionally (everyone's
not rich and I recognize that and there's not enough money floating around), if you
get a desire, maybe try to do a fund raiser or you could write some grants or find a non-profit
in town. One thing I'd recommend, is you find somebody that has one, and try it. Find out
when they're going to go to the park, and they would love you to probably sit in their
hand cycle and cruise around for five minutes and see if their type of hand cycle works
for you and works for your disability.