Auburn students, faculty and staff with disabilities have a free exercise program designed just for them.
The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Beard-Eaves Coliseum Room 1129.
"Even if someone doesn't have a physical disability, they are still welcome to come," said Nancy Gell, a graduate student in kinesiology. "We want to help anyone who needs assistance with working out, whether that involves a pain issue or a physical disability."
Gell and Jeanine Fittipaldi-West, Ph.D., act as trainers, helping the disabled participants exercise.
"The program started about 15 years ago," Fittipaldi-West said. "I started it up again when I came back for my Ph.D. in health and physical education in 2005."
Fittipaldi-West credited the Office of Affirmative Action at Auburn for giving the program grants that provide equipment for participants.
"There have been 12 participants overall," Fittipaldi-West said.
Monday's program had three participants.
Two of them were Rick Thompson, a senior in industrial design, and Franklin Butts, who just graduated with his masters in industrial design.
"Rick is one of our most faithful," Fittipaldi-West said. "He's here every single time and the improvement shows."
Thompson plans to attend graduate school at Auburn after graduation. He found his way to the program through another regular, Butts, who began attending the program in 2005.
"My physical condition has improved tons," Butts said. "On one of these machines, I started out doing five- to 10- pound weights, and I've gone up to 30 pounds."
A C6 quadriplegic, Butts broke his neck in a truck accident and is in a wheelchair.
"I went up two ramps of the coliseum today," Butts said. "I've never been able to make it that far up before."
Butts also said his range of movement has improved since participating in the program.
"We've really become sort of a family, a real support group," Fittipaldi-West said. "We'll go out a couple of times during the week and celebrate each other's birthdays when they come up."
There are other recreation opportunities at Auburn for students with disabilities. The Lifetime Wellness and Fitness Program offers fitness and nutritional assistance.
The Instructional Pool at the Aquatics Center is equipped with a ramp and lift to assist in getting in and out of the pool. The Instructional Pool is open Monday through Friday from 5:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information on the program, contact Gell at gellnan@auburn.edu or stop by Beard- Eaves Memorial Coliseum.
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