focused on making outdoor activities more accessible to people with spinal cord injury by funding the adaptive equipment needed to fully embrace life

Imagine not being able to go anywhere fun

The wheelchair is designed to be a replacement for walking, but falls short of allowing anyone to go wherever they want. Only suitable for use on flat and level ground, a wheelchair leaves users almost entirely restricted to man-made urban environments. So what if someone wants to go farther and explore the world beyond wheelchair ramps and concrete or enjoy recreation in the outdoors? They’re dependent on having access to activity-specific adaptive equipment that makes outdoor activities even more inaccessible due to high cost.

BACKGROUND

When I was paralysed my initial excitement at getting in a wheelchair and being mobile again was tempered by the massive frustration of being restricted by lack of equipment. Skiing, climbing, hiking, cycling; anything that provides respite from an everyday reliance on concrete and provides access to the outdoors requires special equipment that is often difficult to find and always expensive.

I was fortunate enough to get a sitski and handcycle that have since allowed me to enjoy a level of freedom and exercise denied to many with a spinal cord injury, who often lose their main source of income and to whom the ‘luxury’ of an activity-specific piece of equipment is not financially possible.

Every year, thousands of people suffer a spinal cord injury, becoming confined to wheelchair accessible environments with extremely limited options for recreational physical activity, an essential part of human life with massive health benefits.

• Only 1% of people with spinal cord injuries fully recover.
• In the UK,  2-3 people become paralysed as a result of a spinal cord injury, every single day.
• In the USA, almost 30 people everyday will suffer a spinal cord injury.
• 56% of injuries occur between the ages of 16 and 30.
• 20% of people leave spinal cord injury treatment centers clinically depressed.
• Only 10% of people with spinal cord injury own adaptive equipment designed for physical exercise.

Without access to the adaptive equipment necessary for activities, wheelchair users miss valuable opportunities to benefit from the physical, psychological and social rewards outdoor recreation provides. Being able to enjoy the outdoors goes further than simply providing a source of fun, the resulting ‘adventure therapy‘ helps build confidence, self-esteem and physical strength with an outcome that improves every aspect of life.

I believe it’s vital that people with spinal cord injury have access to the equipment they need to enjoy a life outdoors and decided to set up The Chutkara Initiative as a charity to help make the outdoors more accessible to all.

Vision

A world in which people with a spinal cord injury are not restricted from active participation in outdoor recreation by a lack of access to adequate adaptive equipment.

Mission

Provide adaptive equipment to people with spinal cord injuries that will allow them to actively enjoy the natural environment.

Aims

• Provide adaptive outdoor sports equipment for people suffering from a spinal cord injury.

• Raise funds for the provision of adaptive equipment through expeditions and events.

• Promote the outdoor-related opportunities available to people with a spinal cord injury.

• Help provide basic mobility equipment to people with spinal cord injuries in developing nations.

THE FUTURE

The Chutkara Initiative was established in 2011 and is currently on the road to becoming a registered charity in the UK with the aim of being funded and fully operational by Q3 2012 to benefit from my 30,000 Miles Around The World In A Wheelchair expedition.

The goal of raising £1,000,000 for the provision of adaptive equipment is set as a cumulative target from fundraising throughout the expedition, acting as the first round of funding toward the ongoing aims of the charity.

Once operational the charity will begin to accept proposals from candidates with equipment needs. Working with candidates, equipment manufacturers and an advisory board comprised of both able-bodied and disabled subject-matter experts to asess requirements and source the most viable equipment solutions available.

Successful candidates will be encouraged wherever possible to help further the vision and aims of the charity by raising awareness of the outdoor opportunities for people with spinal cord injury, mentoring or advising future candidates and using their equipment in sponsored events to fundraise for The Chutkara Initiative and partner charities that provide mobility equipment for disabled people in developing countries.

get involved

Trustees

• If  you have skills, knowledge or experience which you think can help the The Chutkara Initiative and are interested in becoming a trustee then please get in touch. Trustees should have a strong personal commitment to the mission and aims of the charity and be fully aware of their responsibilities.

Subject-Matter Experts

• Able-bodied or disabled, if you can give guidance and advice on equipment, techniques and best-practice participation in a particular outdoor activity and would like to volunteer your knowledge and experience or act as a mentor then use the form below to get in touch. 

Equipment Manufacturers

• If you represent a manufacturer with the potential to help fulfil the mission of The Chutkara Initiative (to allow people with a spinal cord injury to actively participate in outdoor recreation) and would be interested in partnering and providing equipment then use the form below to get in touch.

Sponsorship

• If you are interested in aligning with the aims of The Chutkara Initiative and positive message of 30,000 Miles Around The World In A Wheelchair as a corporate sponsor or interested in using your own outdoor-related activities and adventures to benefit others please get in touch.