Freedom of Frame Running
At 10 years old, my son Ashton has learned to walk three times in his short life. Ashton lives with right-sided hemiplegia (a form of cerebral palsy), vision impairment, and a brain tumour. He can only walk short distances and is often in a wheelchair.
By Renee Jurgielan, co-founder of Frame Running Wollongong
At 10 years old, my son Ashton has learned to walk three times in his short life. Ashton lives with right-sided hemiplegia (a form of cerebral palsy), vision impairment, and a brain tumour. He can only walk short distances and is often in a wheelchair.
Then Ashton discovered frame runners – a custom-built three-wheeled frame where the runner is fully supported by a saddle and leans against chest support, to propel themselves forward by the feet (one or both) while using the hands and/or arms to steer.
The frame runner allowed Ashton to escape the confines of his wheelchair and move freely. It brought him so much joy.
It was then that I came together with two other Illawarra women to ensure that more children with mobility challenges could benefit from the physical movement and social interaction of frame runners.
In 2021, our not-for-profit group Frame Runners Wollongong was born. The group is an initiative of myself (Renee Jurgielan), Sian Napper (mum to Pippa, who has cerebral palsy, and a primary school teacher of 19 years), and physiotherapist Suzy Lock. We support children with disabilities to participate in inclusive sporting activities and enjoy ‘the freedom to run’.
The program runs every Monday afternoon (during the school term) at the Sports Hub at the University of Wollongong. Each session is designed by a paediatric physiotherapist and educator and tailored to suit the children’s needs and abilities.
Sessions involve activities such as moving around cones and using the frame runner as support to stand and play throwing and catching games. There’s also a race or two for those kids who enjoy the thrill of the chase.
Sessions allow children to develop their cognitive and physical abilities and support their mental well-being as they make new friends.
During the program’s first year, Frame Running Wollongong has grown to support 18 participants and their families. Thirty-eight registered volunteers help to facilitate the activities each week.
We have now received $18,000 in funding from the IMB Bank Community Foundation to expand the program for preschool children aged 3 to 5 years old. Funding is instrumental in supporting charities like ours.
Not-for-profits can apply for 2022 grant funding via www.imb.com.au/community before 30 June.
