When it comes to the abundance of activities that Central Oregon has to offer, everyone deserves to participate. Destination Rehab, a nonprofit that provides physical therapy to individuals with neurologic conditions, makes that possible with its July 8 event, Soar.
Soar is a free activity day that Destination Rehab started hosting in 2017. According to Dr. Carol-Ann Nelson, the founder of Destination Rehab, Soar gives people who experience mobility challenges an opportunity to engage in the community and try different activities they may be interested in continuing. Several years ago, Nelson had the idea of creating a new type of adaptive sports fair.
Attendees are able to participate in a variety of activities, from therapeutic art and Pilates to wheelchair basketball and cycling. A typical health and wellness fair, Nelson said, simply involves participants walking up to a booth, grabbing an activities pamphlet and signing up on an email list to hopefully follow up later. She wanted Soar to be different. The event doesn’t just tell people what activities they can do; it shows them.
“I really wanted to create something where people come to an adaptive sport and wellness day and they get to experience all of the activities that are available to them, that day,” said Nelson. “They can try them out and then get connected with organizations.”
As the event marks its fifth year, Nelson said it continues to grow every year. Destination Rehab has at least 10 local organizations partnering for the event, offering up activities for participation.
“It’s really difficult to find fun activities for them to do with their families, meaningful activities that bring joy to their lives,” Nelson said. “So we really want families to come as well.” The event will provide snacks and lunch, served on-site, and will have ADA accessible amenities for use.
This article appears in Source Weekly June 29, 2023.
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