Freedom through sport
Having lost both legs to a suicide blast in Afghanistan, Master Corporal Paul Franklin knows the importance of grit and perseverance. He suffered through 26 surgeries, including a double above-the-knee amputation, before beginning his long road to recovery.
It was on that road that Franklin found his new mission in life: teaming up with the University of Alberta and the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital to create the Northern Alberta Amputee Program.
"It’s not about what can’t be done; it’s about what can be done"
Paul Franklin
As he began searching for ways to improve care for amputees, it struck him that injured American soldiers were recovering far more quickly by integrating sports and fitness into their rehabilitation.
And so began Franklin’s partnership with the U of A’s Steadward Centre for Personal and Physical Achievement and a new program called Freedom Through Sport, which empowers amputees to live full physical lives and defy limitations.
“The key for us is to introduce people to sports or activities that they’ve never thought of doing,” says Franklin. “It challenges mindsets. One lady said she was afraid to walk to the store in winter weather, but after successfully scaling the climbing wall, she said she wasn’t afraid anymore.
“It’s not about what can’t be done; it’s about what can be done. Freedom Through Sport will allow amputees the opportunity to go beyond their injury to regain a positive and healthy life.”
Serving Through Knowledge
The 2009 Report to the Community recaps an exciting year for the University of Alberta.