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SALT LAKE CITY -- Able-bodied people don't always understand the challenges faced by people who need a wheelchair to get around. Saturday, a first-time fundraiser for Utah should also raise awareness about mobility issues.
The First Annual Wasatch Wheelchair Rally benefits Camp Kostopulos. The camp in Emigration Canyon is dedicated to anyone with any disability ages 7 and up. The wheelchair relay -- and other events -- will raise excitement and money, but the day should also raise awareness.
- Saturday July 10
- 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Liberty Park
- 700 East 900 South
Camp Kostopulos staff and volunteers assembled more than a dozen donated wheelchairs Friday afternoon for the Wasatch Wheelchair Rally. It's a 5K relay in which five-person teams will push an empty wheelchair around Liberty Park.
For those who've never used a wheelchair, it should be quite an experience. For spectators?
"If they see someone racing with a wheelchair, they're going to ask questions. 'Well, why are you doing this?' Then we can open up the door to tell them about the needs of people with disabilities," said Camp Kostopulos Executive Director Gary Ethington.
Just getting around is often the biggest challenge.
"I don't think that people that don't have to be in a wheelchair all the time really understand what it's like," said event organizer Melissa Droddy. "That's what a lot of this is about."
In addition to the rally, The Wheelin' Jazz will show off their skills on the basketball court. They'll be joined by wheelchair tennis players, rugby players and other adaptive athletes.
Camp Kostopulos offers year-round therapeutic recreation, riding and summer camps for youth and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities and special needs.
"It's to help them become more independent, learn the skills -- emotional, physical and social skills to become more independent," said Ethington.
After the rally Saturday, Camp K will use some of the wheelchairs and donate the rest to other charities that need them.
Eleven teams of five are already registered for the event, but you can show up with your five-person team and register at 10 a.m. to race at 11:30 a.m. The other events are ongoing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
