Beyond Boundaries
September 11 - 13, 2009
Mississippi Palisades State Park
Savanna, IL

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Beyond Boundaries is an outdoor adventure program that provides a rich and challenging outdoor adventure experience for individuals with spinal cord injury, their friends and families, and the health care professionals that support them in their rehabilitation and in getting about the business of life. The program is a partnership between the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois, Adaptive Adventures, and the top five rehabilitation hospitals in the Chicago area. The program creates an opportunity for participants to challenge themselves physically and mentally while working toward common goals in an outdoor setting. As featured in Outdoor Illinois the program includes rock climbing, cycling, hiking, kayaking and camping in some of Illinois most scenic areas. All experiences include professional training and supervision with safety as a paramount concern.

Beginning with the initial program conducted over four days and three steamy nights in August of 1995, the Beyond Boundaries (formerly known as Moving Mountains) Outdoor Adventure Program has taxed both the physical and mental stamina of its participants. Over the past decade, this unique team challenge has offered more than 250 participants the opportunity to experience some of Illinois' most scenic attractions while exploring both personal and professional growth. Since 2001, the program has been held at Mississippi Palinodes State Park in Savanna, IL. Anyone cycling, hiking, climbing, kayaking, or camping at the Park during that time would have noticed something different. That's because the most visible group at the park over that three-day weekend included more than a dozen men and women with spinal cord injury taking on everything the park could offer. Joined by approximately 20 health care professionals specializing in various aspects of spinal cord injury rehabilitation and a program staff of 12, the Beyond Boundaries™ program was not only taking on all challenges, it was also challenging our preconceptions about the people with disabilities. Or should we say, "abilities."

The first team of four participants represented the Spinal Cord Injury Association, the professional rehabilitation community and the spinal cord injured community. The entire support "team" comprised the association's executive director and the wife of one of the participants. Ever since, the Beyond Boundaries core concept has been to bring together rehabilitation professions and spinal cord injured individuals for a multi-day, multi-experience outdoor challenge designed to expose participants to the outdoor adventure experience and open doors to many other life enriching opportunities. This unique mix has helped to create the environment of support, challenge and growth that has been central to its success. As the program has grown, it has enjoyed the support of professionals from both the rehabilitation equipment and supply industry and the broader outdoor adventure industry. Additionally, scores of volunteers have given their time and efforts to further the success of the program.

At the heart of this summer's Beyond Boundaries experience will be the opportunity to kayak with the Adaptive Adventures Kayak Chicago program, cycle with Project Mobility, and rock climb on the sheer limestone cliffs of Mississippi Palisades State Park overlooking the majestic Mississippi River. Spinal cord injured athletes use both standard equipment and specialized gear and techniques adapted for each activity. Able-bodied participants are given the chance to try the adapted techniques to gain a better understanding of the challenges involved and to demonstrate the "Abilities," rather than the "disabilities" of the participants. One thing is certain, whether you're staff, a volunteer or a team member, the Beyond Boundaries™ experience will change your perspective on life's many challenges.

History

In 1999 we were joined by Mark Wellman. Mark is probably the most recognized outdoor adventurer in the physically challenged community. He has climbed both El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite Valley National Park, the two most recognizable "big rocks" in the U.S., using adapted gear. Mark presented a slide show that focused on many of his adventure experiences including the big rock climbers (El Cap rises 3,000 feet from the beautiful valley floor of Yosemite!). We hope to have him join us again for our 2001 program. The climbing has also proven to be a great experience for the able-bodied team members, many who have never climbed before the program.

Other experiences that have been critical to the success of Moving Mountains have been adapted kayaking, adapted sailing, adapted water skiing, recumbent bicycling, wheelchair adaptations for hiking, and challenges of camping out in tents. Over time other activities have been added around the campsite like wheelchair repair and a frisbee golf tournament to round out the three day program. All participants seem to recognize the unique nature of the program and many share supportive comments among one another and with staff.

Among the lighter "challenges" that Beyond Boundaries participants have overcome through the years have been..... the attack of the killer caddis flies, near heat stroke, near hypothermia, being blinded by farmer's tans, a hereafter banned cover version of John Mellencamp's Jack and Diane courtesy of our original climbing instructor, downpours and winds of Biblical proportions, the monster burritos that ate Cleveland, late night card games, uncountable hours of 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon (followed by uncountable hours of theme music), unintended transfers, ten "accidents," "rogue" wheelers, unbelievably "picky" eaters (If you can't be satisfied with Margaret's down home cookin', you can't be satisfied), flat tires, busted caster forks, myriad out-of-body insect bite experiences... to name just a few. All of which add to the wonderful experience of the weekend. Remember, through challenges, life is experienced.

One thing is certain, whether you're staff, a volunteer or a team member, the Beyond Boundaries experience will change your perspective on life's many challenges.