Rehabilitation and Fitness Program for persons with physical disabilities

The University of Calgary’s Rehabilitation and Fitness Program continues to uphold the vision of the Active Living department by enriching our community and providing exceptional experiences through our facilities, programs and services, fostering lifelong active living for all. The program is currently running at capacity with 303 registrations, the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. With assistance of the Scotiabank Endowment Fund, the program has been able to maintain the same participant fees since 2016. It was also able to purchase two new pieces of adapted upper body weight machines that are accessible to wheelchair users.

Greg was diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) in June 2016. As a result of his MS, he had to stop doing many of the things he loved such as teaching, driving and participating in sports. He also had to learn to write with his left hand, hire home care to assist with personal care and scale back activities with his children. 

Greg started with the Rehabilitation and Fitness Program in the spring of 2022. His ultimate goal was to travel again with his family, which meant he needed to learn to transfer more independently, improve his upper body strength to control his manual wheelchair and improve arm function and control to get his driver’s licence back. Through his hard work and commitment to the program, Greg is on his way to reaching his goal. His core muscles are stronger and he can bend over and right himself again. Greg is living a more active life and he reports his wife is happy that he can clean and do the dishes now! Greg also reports feeling much better mentally. He really enjoys the interaction with the volunteers, staff and other clients in the program.