Hurricane Challenge

UMPT students have sponsored the Annual Wheelchair Challenge at the University of Miami Patio since 1986. The focus of the event is to increase campus and public awareness of persons with disabilities and to provide a day of fun for students with disabilities from all around Miami-Dade County.

Dr. Robert Gailey, faculty advisor for the event said, "the University of Miami has adopted a philosophy that part of the curriculum should include learning how to host these events so our students will go out and become involved in their communities. It is a way to show PT students how to become active members of their community by doing what they do best, and that's working with children with disabilities."

The theme for a past year’s event was “Under the Sea Adventure”, featuring water games, obstacle courses, a dunk tank as well as food, music and a variety of entertainment. What made this Wheelchair Challenge so special was the appearance made by the Harlem Globetrotters. The Globetrotters entertained the students with their basketball tricks and funny antics. Also in attendance are mascots from some of the local professional athletic teams such as Billy the Marlin (Florida Marlins) and TD (Miami Dolphins), as well as Sebastian the Ibis (University of Miami mascot). Donations received from area sponsors help the students with disabilities participate in sporting events all around the state, such as the Junior Orange Bowl Sports Ability Games.

The event has been attended by as many as 600 students and 100 teachers and parents from Miami-Dade County. Dr. Gailey adds, “It really makes the children feel special; it is the one day of the year that they are singled out – they have a special treat that none of the able-bodied students are involved in.”

Dr. Gailey also made the following comments: “one thing our faculty would agree on is that our students, as a result of this type of exposure, have higher expectations for the abilities of their patients. They know that they raise the bar of expectations for their patients and also channel them into more positive experiences as they go through rehabilitation. More and more, we are having to rely on a greater number of resources in order to help our patients because today’s health care system is not affording us the luxury of spending a great deal of time with them.”

Efforts put forth by the UMPT students benefit both the participants in the challenge as well as clients these PT students will encounter in their future careers as therapists. Congratulations to the UMPT students and Dr. Gailey for creating such a successful experience.