About
Spokes fighting Strokes (Spokes) introduces Recumbent Trikes as a form of recovery through exercise and fun to Stroke Survivors, amputees, able-bodied humans, and those with or who have had traumatic brain injury(TBI), neck and back injury, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis(MS), and cerebral palsy(CP). The program emphasizes overcoming fear, which the founder, Dan Zimmerman, Stroke Survivor, experienced as he began his own recovery on a Trike himself. Dan Zimmerman is a Stroke Survivor.
Program Details
Mission
Spokes's mission is to reach every stroke survivor and individual with TBI, Parkinson's, and MS to show them that recovery is possible. Through our Spokes Adaptive Cycling clinics in the USA, we help stroke survivors rebuild their life by regaining strength, ability, hope, and freedom. The goal is to make adaptive cycling available to the stroke community and increase awareness about stroke and Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), which is also the cause of the founder, Dan's, stroke.
Description
Exercise makes recovery possible and fun, which is the motivation behind Spokes’s creation of groups and chapters who ride together on a regular basis, creating great bonds and camaraderie.
Spokes has 18 recumbent trikes in our trailer, which travels the USA as we provide presentations and clinics for the introduction of recumbent trikes to participants. Presentation venues include hospitals, bike rallies, rehab centers, health expos, State Parks, support groups, and Rail to Trail's events.
Spokes has helped many individuals in their recovery. Many came from wheelchairs with Aphasia and are walking and talking again. These individuals make up only a portion of the success stories, all told from those who Spokes has touched.
The program plans for multiple chapters in each state, with interest in expanding worldwide to Australia, New Zealand, UK, and Canada.
Services Offered
While Spokes does not sell trikes, we work with shops that provide the trikes and services to provide a recumbent trike to each rider. Riders receive guidance with being fitted to the trike and are given instruction on trike shifting and braking for their first ride. Services also include maintenance, bike accessories, bike safety, road safety, lifting the trike, and loading trike. Riders always back from their first ride with a “Trike Grin”.
Contact Dan Zimmerman, Founder dan@spokesfightingstrokes.org (602) 558-0820 (contact via text only) Spokes Fighting Strokes
Populations Served
Stroke survivors, amputees, able-bodied humans, and those with or who have had TBI, neck and back injury, Parkinson’s, MS, and CP—all of any age.
Staff Composition
The staff is composed of the founder (Dan Zimmermann) and 11 volunteer Chapter Leaders.
Cost to Participate
Participation is free; donations are accepted but not solicited.
Affiliations
Georgia State University, Department of Occupational Therapy
Capstone project and seeking accreditation
Tessa Chung, OTS
tchung5@student.gsu.edu
Cell: 678-818-2898
Dr. Pey-Shan Wen, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy Department
pwen@gsu.edu
