 Bryan O. C6/C7 incomplete taking steps at the event |
 Jamie G. C6 incomplete (left) & Ted Dardzinski (right) playing basketball at the event |
2008 Steps to Recovery
November 1, 2008
The yearly celebration took place on a beautiful San Diego day full of sunshine with family and friends traveling from around the country and world to participate. Jun Watanabe, owner and head trainer at J-Workout, came with some of his clients and their families from Japan; the Carr’s, owners of Standing Start in the United Kingdom, took part with their two therapists spending a couple of weeks training with us at the center ending with Peter taking a few steps during the event; Tim Wiseman, from Walk On in Australia, was here finishing up his month-long training certification; as was Gray Godwin from Roll 2 Walk in Austin, Texas who is in town beginning his Certification training. It was a great day for all of us at Project Walk.
The event was a little different this year as we changed it to emphasize each client. They each went by themselves while the MC explained their personal story and level of injury. To really showcase the clients, we shortened the long walk and added a short one-on-one basketball game between Ted and Jamie, a client with a C6 injury. Jamie won! The inside was reserved for our Phase III and IV clients. Each walked down a runway that was roped off allowing the growing crowd to observe and cheer them on. We had a live band outside to entertain as well as vendors that support the SCI community with their products. The day was an overwhelming success.
 Keith-Ann (C6/C7 incomplete) on her graduation day |
 Paige & Kenny accepting the Rudy Award |
Rudy Award
Each year we evaluate our full-time clients and our staff chooses the individual that represents the work ethic and desire that has made our program a success. The Rudy Award is named after the movie about a football player who never gave up his dream of playing for Notre Dame. Our Rudy Award is given to the client who shows up everyday, trains to their potential, and never gives up. Of course we have many to choose from, but this year, the Rudy Award goes to Kenny Evans. Kenny and his wife, Paige, relocated to San Diego from Virginia in pursuit of recovery. Kenny has a quiet man personality and is pure business. Each hour, each day, each month, he just works. Congratulations, Kenny!
Keith-Ann Award
New for 2009, this role-model award is based on Keith-Ann Steed. As a full-time CPA in downtown San Diego, Keith-Ann would leave work two days a week to drive the 40 miles up to Carlsbad and Project Walk for her workouts. She was also a regular Saturday client, never missing a workout. In addition to this, for two years, Keith-Ann volunteered to organize the silent auction during our Steps event. In September, she moved to Austin, Texas, and is now working as a full-time CPA while also raising money and organizing the new nonprofit, Roll 2 Walk, a certified Project Walk Provider.
She has done it all and has set the bar high! The award in her name will go to the client who best represents Keith-Ann’s strong work ethic and desire to have a full life post SCI. The finalists will be chosen based on training (should be a finalist for the Rudy Award), they must work full-time or go to school with a full load of credits, and they must be active and donate their time to helping others in the SCI community.
