“Feeling the thrill of riding a bicycle again was very encouraging,” said Joe Fort, a York resident who suffered a brain injury and stroke nearly nine years ago and participated in a recent adaptive cycling event.
“Being able to ride again left me inspired and more confident,” Fort said. “I felt like a human-powered go cart that was able to push myself a bit to see what I was capable of doing and what I have regained over the years of rehabilitation and therapy.”
More than 18 individuals and their families of all abilities gathered to experience the transformative power of movement through adaptive cycling at WellSpan Surgery & Rehabilitation Hospital in York. Hosted as a free community event, the day showcased how adaptive cycling can open new doors for people living with physical or cognitive challenges.
“We hope events like these remind our patients, their families and the community at large that they can overcome challenges, regain independence and help promote lifelong wellness after an injury or in dealing with a new disability,” said Erin Long, acute rehab specialty program coordinator at WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital.
“We look to connect with our patients to activities they enjoy. This adaptive cycling exercise gave people a chance to experience movement in a new way, and for many, it’s a step toward rediscovering something they thought was lost.”
Participants had the opportunity to try a wide range of adaptive cycles including hand cycles and recumbent trikes, each tailored to meet different mobility needs. Trained team members and volunteers were on hand to assist, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone to explore what was possible.
At the heart of the event was Dan Zimmerman, founder of Spokes Fighting Strokes, who shared his powerful story of recovery and resilience. After surviving a stroke, Zimmerman turned to recumbent trikes as a way to rebuild strength, independence and confidence. His message was clear: Adaptive cycling isn’t just about exercise; it’s one way anyone can reclaim freedom and joy through their recovery journey.
Families and caregivers joined in the fun, cheering on loved ones and even hopping on a few cycles themselves. The atmosphere was one of celebration and community with smiles all around as participants discovered new ways to move and connect.
That spirit of encouragement and possibility didn’t end with the final ride. The event is part of a larger ongoing commitment to compassionate, innovative care that continues through our care team at WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital.
This commitment was recently reaffirmed by t the hospital’s reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities with the gold standard of care across inpatient medical rehabilitation, amputation specialty, brain injury specialty, spinal cord specialty and stroke specialty care programs.
Additionally, the hospital was named a “magnet hospital,” the highest honor for nursing awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
For more information about services and programs offered at WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital, readers may visit www.WellSpan.org.
