By Indiana Department Of Natural Resources
SPENCER — Thanks to a generous donor, McCormick’s Creek State Park now offers guests access to a Grit Freedom Chair. The Grit Freedom Chair, designed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is called the “mountain bike of wheelchairs” because it can handle easy to moderate hiking trails, sandy terrain and snow.
The donor suggested the idea of making this all-terrain wheelchair available at one of Indiana’s State Parks. The Indiana Natural Resources Foundation, along with the Division of State Parks, chose McCormick’s Creek, Indiana’s first state park, as the location to introduce this wheelchair.
One recent person who used the chair was a retiree in his late eighties who had once helped staff research the park’s caves. The man’s wife had recently passed away, and a friend brought him to the park in hopes the trip would cheer him up. Wyatt Williams, interpretive naturalist at the park., said the visitor had a positive experience.
The chair was tested on a snowy day at McCormick’s Creek, and it rode remarkably well through the snow compared to other wheelchairs. It will take some training to learn how to maneuver it, so guests should allow extra time to practice before taking on a trail. It is recommended that riders enjoy outdoor excursions in the chair with a friend, in case they need assistance.
The donor who made the purchase of the chair possible did so at a time when the benefits of accessibility to the outdoors is garnering more attention. According to a 2017 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, there are proven social, physical, and mental health benefits that people living with disabilities gain from spending time in nature. Mental benefits noted in the study included stress relief and improvement of cognition and relaxation. The study also reported improvements in self-confidence and self-esteem.
Anyone interested in using it can make a request at the McCormick’s Creek Nature Center when they arrive at the park. It is propelled by the rider’s arms and requires some upper body strength. The levers keep the rider’s hands clean as they go, and there are handles on the back to push and assist the rider if needed.
For more information on McCormick’s Creek State Park, visit in.gov/dnr/parklake/2978.htm. For more information about the GRIT Freedom Chair, visit gogrit.us.
