Our Crowdfunding Groups
Who are we?
Northwestern University Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences (PTHMS) students and faculty want to develop an after school running program for kids with disabilities. The project will give Northwestern PT students an opportunity to gain more experience working with children with a variety of ability levels.
What is our mission?
This program will provide PTHMS students the opportunity to work on a running program for with kids with disabilities. Our goal is to raise money to purchase 5 RaceRunners, which are adaptive bikes, so that PTHMS students can learn how the RaceRunners work, and work collaboratively to develop a running program that meets the needs of children with a variety of diagnoses that would make running difficult or impossible otherwise.
What do we do?
Northwestern’s PTHMS is developing a modified version of the Chicago Run curriculum for children with movement challenges. The expertise of our students and faculty in movement and physical activity will be used to fit children with a Northwestern RaceRunner and provide an individualized program modified from what peers of a similar age will also be doing. The PTHMS students will help instruct kids using the RaceRunners and study the impact on their health, providing an experience to students they wouldn’t otherwise have in their DPT program.
Northwestern students and faculty will work closely with the coaches so the young athletes with disabilities can safely strengthen their muscles and train to progressively longer distances in preparation for the community race. Northwestern PT students participating in this project will get the opportunity to work with children with disabilities in an activity project, learn how to engage children with disabilities in community projects, and research the impact of this program so they could lead similar programs in their own neighborhoods after graduation.
How can you help?
1) Donate! All gifts, no matter the amount, will help Northwestern PT students gain the educational experience of program development, working with multiple abilities, and conducting an impact study of the program’s success.
2) Participate! Come to a Chicago Run 5k and support the NU Physical Therapy Students and their athletes!
Northwestern Physical Therapy students can monitor children’s heart rates
Northwestern Physical Therapy students will be able record training sessions for analysis
A bike that Northwestern Physical Therapy students will use to train children in running
