Step It Up in Sanford FL
I first became aware of the Step It Up Recovery Center in Sanford through a friend whose brother was injured in a car accident. He is now in a wheel chair (diagnosed as a C-5 quadriplegic) but on his path to recovery. As someone who is not directly affected by such a terrible accident and life changing event it is sometimes difficult to become even aware of great non profit organizations like Step It Up. That’s why I wanted to write this little post.
I was amazed that Sanford FL is actually one of the few locations in the South East that offers such a unique recovery facility. From what I have learned, Step It Up is about getting the patient out of the wheel chair and making them work and train their muscles, based on “Project Walk” in Carlsbad, California, a facility that uses the Dardzinski Method. The concept behind this method is to strengthen the muscles of the paralyzed parts of the body without having to actually feel them.
Training at Step It Up
Step It Up is a facility for patients who want to be active and keep a positive attitude despite their injuries. As the name already suggests, this organization is very up beat and you can sense the positive energy. I really liked their approach and I was glad to see how much everyone involved supports Step It Up.
Now, I am not an expert on the topic and don’t want to say anything that isn’t correct. If you want to learn a bit more or even better, if you want to get involved and support Step It Up please visit their web site at StepItUpRecovery.org.
Step It Up is located at 508 Central Park Drive in Sanford, just past the Seminole Town Center Mall, off highway 46. They can be reached at 407-878-3757. I also wanted to make you aware of their upcoming fundraiser at Crane’s Roost Park in Altamonte Springs on September 12, 2009 (walk starts at 9am, registration at 8:15am).
This is such an awesome SCI recovery center! It has made a huge difference in my brother, Aaron’s, life. He is a C-5 quadriplegic, and although he lives in Pensacola, he makes regular trips to Orlando just to work out with the gang at Step It Up. It’s really more of a family environment…once you’re in, you’re part of the family and that’s exactly how you’re treated! Aaron has made major progress just in the few weeks he’s been there…it was awesome to see him standing, cycling and even walking (with the help of a walking device and the recovery specialists). My family is so grateful to have this facility in our “backyard!” Step It Up is a non-profit organization, therefore they work off of the community’s support. They are holding their first annual Walk-n-Roll-athon on Sat, Sep 12th at Cranes Roost Park! It will be an awesome event and will be even more awesome with the community’s support. If you can grab some free time that Sat morning you should come out to the event…you may win some awesome raffle prizes! For more info on Step It Up and the event, be sure to click on the link provided in Claudia’s blog.
I’m a C-5 quadriplegic and have been hurt for four years now and have working out with the Dardzinski Method for the past three years. I first started my therapy at Project Walk in Calif, but once Step It Up opened here in Sanford, Fl I have been doing my works out there instead. Ive seen a huge improvement once I started at Step It Up. It’s been a true blessing being able to have a place in Florida that gives you hope and is willing to help you in anyway to see you reach your goals. I believe i will walk again some day thank to Step It Up. The only problem with Step It Up is that one of the trainers is a Florida Gator fan. Haha Go Noles