WHEELCHAIR PARTICIPANTS GEAR UP FOR CANTON ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS & INDUSTRIES’ 6TH ANNUAL REEBOK / CANTON HOMECOMING ROAD RACE ON SEPT. 25
By Judy Bass
It’s a wonderful event for the entire family that brings the Town of Canton together, encompasses a road race that raises money to support numerous worthy organizations, features a silent auction, and boasts an enjoyable atmosphere for people of all ages and interests.
But you may not be aware that among the scores of individuals who compete in the Canton Association of Business & Industries’ (CABI) Annual Reebok / Canton Homecoming Road Race are many dedicated wheelchair athletes who train hard and join in with robust high spirits while taking immense pride in themselves and their ability.
This year’s Road Race, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, with a 7:30 a.m. registration time, will feature a 5K, 10K, a challenge for local health clubs to enter teams for the 5K race (the winning club will earn the title and trophy for Fittest Sports Club), a mile-long “Fun Run” for children under 13, as well as a race for those with motorized or manual wheelchairs.
Among the handful of wheelchair athletes this year are two students from the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton - Kerby, 20, and Martial, 16. (Federal healthcare regulations prohibit the use of pediatric patients’ full names.)
Founded over a century ago, the Massachusetts Hospital School assists children and young adults ages 6 to 22 with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders, myelodysplasia, spina bifida, and trauma-based disabilities including brain injury.
Kerby has done the wheelchair race twice before, and says he really likes it for several reasons – the thrill of competing, having people he knows on the sidelines cheering him on, including his friends who are excited for him, and the fact that it takes place fairly close to the school, which is located at 3 Randolph Street.
Being part of the Road Race also boosts his self-esteem and confidence, Kerby says.
In addition to wheelchair racing, he plays basketball, skies, and swims.
Getting ready for the Race is an endeavor in itself, Kerby says. He practices every week at the track at the school, and works on going up and down some of the hilly areas near the school campus. He does cross-training, too, which involves weight training and swimming, all of which build his overall strength, stamina, and endurance.
A special treat comes after the Race, when Kerby gets to go out to eat at a local restaurant, says Coordinator of Therapeutic Recreation Tricia Devine of the Massachusetts Hospital School, who assists Kerby with his preparation for the Race.
“Yes, he’s ready right now,” she affirms. “He’s always ready to rock ‘n’ roll, always willing to go, go, go.”
Kerby’s goal is to finish first, of course. That means he’ll have to edge out all the other wheelchair racers, among them Martial, who has done the Road Race five times before, heading the pack every time except once.
Like Kerby, he is a multi-sport enthusiast and participant who does basketball, football, ice hockey, track and skiing.
Martial likes feeling good about himself and his capacity to do the Race, and he gratefully acknowledges the tremendous support provided to him by Devine and other staff members at the school who “help me get better at what I’m doing.”
Referring to the Race, Devine says, “It’s outstanding to have something so local for the kids to take part in that allows the public to see what the young people from the Massachusetts Hospital School can accomplish and how they break through barriers.” In the past couple of years, she noted, there have been at least half a dozen kids from the school in the Race.
Devine also thanked the Canton Association of Business & Industries for everything they have done for the school, such as donating skies and sleds for the students and sending a child to Disney. She calls the organization “a great, supportive group of people” who have “not just giving hearts, but giving hands.”
“Reebok has been the main sponsor and the kingpin for us to get this race off the ground so quickly,” says Howard Goldman, President of CABI and founder of the Road Race. “Due to their support and name recognition, this Race has become a major event in our area. They have never hesitated to provide financial and moral support for the Race, which is why it is called the Reebok Homecoming Race.”
According to CABI Executive Director Paul Hannigan, there were 600 runners last year in the Road Race, with 10 wheelchair racers. The total amount raised was approximately $50,000, which was distributed to organizations such as the Canton Food Pantry, the Canton Block Party, and the Canton Fire and Police Departments. In addition, scholarships were awarded to two students from Canton High School and to two students from Canton who attended Blue Hills Regional Technical School. Mobile computers were also presented to the Galvin Middle School.
Hannigan said that there are several ways for the public to support the Road Race. Individuals or companies can donate items to the silent auction by contacting Julie Quinn at 781-821-3499, ext 101 or emailing her at jquinn@clarkeschools.org. Ads can be purchased in the Road Race booklet, and organizations can sponsor a water table, which entails being included in event publicity and having the company’s name on a banner for $150. For $1000, sponsors can have their name emblazoned on t-shirts, and for $2500, they can have their company name and logo on t-shirts. There is also a 5K Corporate Challenge for companies that want to field a team of racers. All sponsors will be acknowledged at a future CABI meeting.
Hannigan noted that wheelchair racers are encouraged to participate in the Race.
For information, contact him at 781-828-2555 or email him at phannigancai@earthlink.net.
