(Updated: Adds video, participant comments, and Destination Rehab)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — From rock climbing to walking exercises to games and painting, people with disabilities got active Saturday at Destination Rehabilitation’s SOAR 2024 Activity Day at the Bend Pavilion.
The nonprofit helps people with conditions such as stroke, brain injury and spinal cord injury, and Destination Rehab helps people regain their confidence and independence so they can get outside again and do the activities they love.
The SOAR program is a free, annual community event that allows participants to take part in a variety of activities they never thought they could do before or after their diagnosis.
Participants took part in activities such as watercolor painting, beautiful landscape painting, pickleball and wheelchair basketball.
“It’s really wonderful to see our community growing and coming together,” said Barbara Sutton, program and clinic coordinator for Destination Rehab. “Just coming together and getting outside, that’s the goal of Destination Rehab.”
“I’ve had Parkinson’s disease for 20 years now, and for a long time there weren’t any programs for physical activity or proper physical therapy,” said Larry Graves, a Redmond resident. “But what Destination Rehab and other facilities around the city are offering has really extended my life.”
About 100 people registered for this year’s SOAR Activity Day, including walk-ins, and the event continues to grow each year.