Washington, DC– October 21, 2010 – The George Preston Marshall Foundation awarded the National Center for Children’s Rehabilitation (NCCR) at National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) a $15,540 grant to purchase a variety of specialized equipment for the hospital’s pediatric recreation and sports programs. The goal is to create and maintain a lending inventory of adaptive equipment to be made available as a resource for disabled pediatric patients in the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Since its opening in 2003, NCCR has acquired a variety of adaptive sports chairs and equipment for use with hospitalized pediatric patients as an integral part of its Recreation Therapy Program. Adaptive equipment for specific sports and activities, however, are expensive and specialized for each sport/activity and must be fitted to the individual end user. The NCCR lending inventory will provide families the opportunity to test equipment for a trial period with proper training to be sure of their child’s interest and need before making a large financial investment.
Included in the equipment purchased through the generosity of The George Preston Marshall Foundation is the Hippocampe “All Terrain” Beach Access Chair. This unique vehicle is easy to maneuver and can access the beach, snow, and hiking trails through the use of interchangeable wheels. Additional equipment purchased includes attachable hand cycles which convert conventional wheelchairs into hand cycles, a traditional hand cycle sized for children, wheelchairs adapted for basketball and tennis, and portable suitcase ramps.
NRH, which opened in 1986, has been a leader in rehabilitation technology. The NCCR has followed this initiative since it opened in 2003. These advancements allow children to enjoy every day activities and fun despite their limitations.
The George Preston Marshall Foundation aims to support child welfare, health, education, sports and recreation.
National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) is a private, not-for-profit facility located in Northwest Washington, D.C. NRH’s services are designed specifically for the rehabilitation of individuals with disabling injuries and illnesses such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury and disease, arthritis, amputations, post-polio syndrome, chronic pain, back and neck pain, occupational injuries, cancer and cardiac disease that require medical rehabilitation, and other neurological and orthopedic conditions. NRH admits approximately 2,200 inpatients annually, has appeared on the “Best Hospitals” list in U.S. News & World Report for 16 consecutive years and is currently ranked among the top hospitals in medical rehabilitation in America. NRH has the only CARF accredited specialty program for both Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke in the region. In addition, NRH’s Spinal Cord Injury Program has been designated one of only 14 Model SCI Systems of care in the country by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), a part of the Department of Education. NRH is a proud member of MedStar Health.