Coming Together

Two Companies Come Together

Three businesses in two different fields have come together because of one type of exercise machine. 68 Inside Sports, owned by former KC Chiefs all- pro lineman Will Shield isn’t your typical sports/health club. They were trying to become more disabled friendly and so started utilizing the Alter G treadmill, also known as the “Anti Gravity.” The machine was originally meant for sports injuries but Travis Worley at 68 Inside Sports saw a need to help more than just those suffering from sports injuries. He called Tony at United Access to see if the equipment would benefit the disabled community. The people at UA took the idea and ran with it. We started thinking, “who can we get to try this system?” The first person that came to mind was our customer, friend and employee Brian Bradford.

Not knowing what was in store for him when using the Alter G treadmill Brian was nervous but very excited. He has a type of muscular dystrophy and gravity isn’t very kind to him - he always worries about falling. When Brian heard about the Alter G he was very eager to try it. He loves to get into swimming pools because he can walk in the water, but when he gets out he is exhausted and needs a lot of help the rest of the day.

It was a struggle to get him on the treadmill, but he tells everyone that it was worth it. It was an awesome feeling and experience. He could raise his knees up and pick up his feet without any thoughts of failing or hurting himself. Also, when the compartment was filling with air, it pushed his hips up and eased the pain in his lower back. Until now, exercising like this can only be done in a pool by most people with physical limitations like Brian’s. The Anti Gravity treadmill works by creating air pressure strong enough to lift 400 pounds around the lower half of your body. This lets you jog and run at up to 80% less gravity. It works without putting any stress on your bones, joints, and ligaments.

Brian only used the treadmill about 7-8 minutes, not knowing if it would exhaust him like using a swimming pool does. But to his surprise, he felt no ill effects. He had no problem doing the other things he normally would do everyday. When he was at home with his family, he got a little emotional telling them about his experience on the treadmill and about the incredible feeling of being able to walk like he did twenty years ago.

Tony then went to customer and friend Thomas Eddy at Quest to Walk, another organization that bridges the gap between spinal cord injuries and recovery. They have certified SCI recovery specialists that coach and help individuals reach their goals. It seemed a perfect fit to have the companies work together. Quest to Walk and 68 Inside Sports, along with United Access are currently working together in a joint effort to help the disabled reach their personal goals, be it to walk again or in Brian’s case to use exercise to help with circulation, back pain, and a general improvement in his health utilizing 68 Inside Sport’s Alter G specialized equipment and Quest to Walk’s SCI recovery specialists.

United Access has proudly worked with both organizations for a number of years and is proud to say we are currently working with another organization called Groovablity. They are a wheelchair ballroom dancing group that is currently working on plans to do “Zumba Wheelchair-Style” at 68 Inside Sports. Please check out our future newsletters and our Facebook page to see updates on this and many more awesome projects.

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