Quadriplegic Marine Using Hand Cycle to Cross the US

US Marine Aaron Roux, who uses a wheelchair due to a spinal cord injury that left him with paraplegia, continues on his journey across the United States on a hand cycle. Roux and his team, “Trans America Quad,” are completing the 62 day hand-cycling trip across America in order inspire others with physical limitations, raise awareness about quadriplegia and raise money for summer camps for children with physical disabilities.

Roux is part of a team of several hand-cyclists to complete the journey. Medical complications forced another quadriplegic cyclist to withdraw, but Roux remained dedicated to completing the ride. In preparation for the event, Roux and the team have hand-cycled over 6,000 miles.

Team Trans America Quad began their hand-cycling journey on January 15 in San Diego, California and will complete their amazing journey around two and a half months later in Saint Augustine, Florida. Team members will cycle about fifty miles per day during the over sixty day trip. The cycles used by the team are specially developed to allow those with physical disabilities to cycle using their hands and arms.

With the cross-country trip, Team TAQ and Roux want to raise awareness about the possibilities for physical activities for those with physical disabilities such as quadriplegia, as well as raise awareness about spinal cord injuries and the different levels of quadriplegia. One of the event organizers and scheduled hand-cyclist Rick Mason stated, “There is a common misconception about what a quadriplegic is, the varying degrees and what is possible. A ride like TAQ provides a dramatic example of what is possible even after a surviving a life altering physical disability.”

Roux and Team TAQ are planning to raise $30,000 with the trip that will provide assistance to a non-profit organization that runs summer camps for children with physical disabilities. The money raised by Team TAQ will provide funding for adaptive equipment needed by the camps, as well as financial assistance for children to attend the camps.

Source:

http://www.ashtongazette.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=1547&page=72