Children’s Lightning Wheels, a Paralympic Sport Club, sponsored by Children’s Specialized Hospital and a part of the Kohl’s Cares program, is a sports team for athletes ages 5 – 22 that have a primary diagnosis of a physical disability.
When founded in 1981, the team was primarily a track and field team, but since that time swimming, archery, table tennis and weightlifting have been added. In 2003, the team embraced athletes whose disability does not require the use of a wheelchair. These athletes may use walkers, crutches, wear orthotics or braces or may have motor planning difficulties. Many of the past and present members of the Children’s Lightning Wheels are national record holders in track, field and swimming.
Athletic competition is one of the truest tests of the human spirit. Children’s Specialized Hospital is committed to nurturing that spirit in every way possible.
The objectives of the program are:
- To have fun!
- To make new friends.
- To increase independence, self-confidence and self-esteem in the athlete with a disability.
- To improve the level of physical fitness, through exercise, for the athlete with a disability.
- To improve the individual’s physical skill level through instruction and providing varied activities.
- To help establish an awareness of living a healthy lifestyle.
- To work with the complete individual or athlete, i.e. not concentrating only on the physical aspects of the activities but also taking into account other factors like the social, emotional and psychological well-being of the individual.
- To increase individual effort and encourage team involvement.
- To promote a “carry-over” effect, i.e. to stimulate a desire within the athlete to continue pursuing any activity at his/her present activity level or at a greater level once he/she “graduates” from the program.
- To motivate the athlete with a disability to attempt a variety of new sports or activities.
- To increase the athlete’s awareness of his/her own individual capabilities, by introducing different techniques through instruction and offering suggestions for modifications.
- To offer the opportunity to travel and see new places.
- To create a peer group for parents and family members.
Practice Schedule: 2012-2013
Track and field practice:
- Indoor practice will begin in March 2013 at Children’s Specialized Hospital
- Outdoor practices will resume again in April 2013 at Kehler Stadium Track, Westfield, NJ – Thursdays, 6:15pm - dark
Swim Practice:
- Cranford Pool & Fitness Center, Cranford, NJ, Wednesdays, 7:30pm
Strength training and conditioning:
- Gold Medal Fitness, Garwood, NJ, Tuesdays, 7:30pm-8:30pm
Archery Practice:
- Oak Ridge Park, Clark, NJ – days & time TBD
