Spring Into Health: A Timbers Wellness Event
CPRF partners with GraceMed, Hunter Health for disability health and wellness event
WICHITA, Kan. – Three local nonprofits collaborated to create an inclusive health and wellness event for people with disabilities, a community often left out of the conversation surrounding fitness and healthy lifestyles.
The Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas partnered with GraceMed and Hunter Health for the first “Spring into Health” wellness event for residents of The Timbers, CPRF’s wheelchair-accessible apartment community located in northeast Wichita. GraceMed provided dental screenings and cleanings, while Hunter Health performed blood pressure checks and glucose screenings for participants. All services were provided at no cost to Timbers residents.
The event also featured tours and demonstrations of CPRF’s Exercise & Wellness Clinic – an on-site, fully accessible fitness facility that features parallel bars, hand cycles, gait trainers, a para-gym, and more. In this program, a certified restorative aide works one-on-one with clients to perform stretching, strength-building, cardiovascular, and other training regiments prescribed by a doctor or occupational therapist.
The Spring into Health event provided Timbers residents the tools they need to be proactive in improving their overall wellness by identifying risk factors and ways to minimize them through diet, regular medical and dental care, and routine exercise.
“We want everyone at the Timbers to be aware of all the wonderful community resources like Hunter Health and GraceMed that are available to us in Wichita,” said Michelle Pryor, Timbers Housing and Urban Development service coordinator and event organizer. “Our goal is for our residents to feel empowered to achieve and maintain the highest level of health that they can.
About the Collaborating Agencies
About CPRF
Founded in 1972, CPRF is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide people with disabilities of all ages the customized services, support, and technology they need in order to facilitate their chosen economic and personal independence, with an emphasis on employment and training opportunities. To accomplish its mission, CPRF offers employment and employment services, certified computer training, accessible housing, transportation services, customized wheelchair services and repair, equipment funding, adult day programs, disability benefits counseling, and case management. CPRF serves the entire state of Kansas. For more information, visit www.cprf.org.
About GraceMed
As one of the largest networks of community health clinics in Kansas, GraceMed saw patients for more than 33,000 dental appointments last year. They provide both preventative and restorative services as well as a sedation program for patients who have disabilities. Oral hygiene care is provided throughout their Wichita network of clinics, while dentists are available to provide the full range of dental services at their Helen Galloway Clinic on the Via Christi St. Francis Campus, at their Ablah Family Clinic in southwest Wichita and at their McPherson Clinic. GraceMed is a Christ-centered ministry serving underserved patients and providing holistic care that also includes vision and behavioral health services. For more information, visit www.gracemed.org.
About Hunter Health
Since 1976, Hunter Health Clinic has been offering affordable care to members of Sedgwick County and the surrounding communities. Hunter Health Clinic is a community-based health center focused on providing patients with more than just heartfelt medical care. Our providers strive to educate patients, so that they may continue to improve the condition of their lives even outside our clinic walls. We care about each of our patients individually, and offer a tailored treatment plan that best fits their lifestyle. Choose Hunter, and join us in completing the circle of health. Hunter Health Clinic accepts all patients regardless of their insurance or financial status. For more information, visit www.hunterhealthclinic.org.