Ten-times Australian Solo Speedway Champion Leigh Adams has just concluded a successful trip to Project Walk in the USA.
Adams was seriously injured last year while practicing for the Finke Desert Race and has since been wheel chair bound.
"My family and I had a great time over there, and we were based just outside of San Diego, California," Adams said.
"We were made to feel really welcome by the whole team at the Project Walk headquarters, but my trainers certainly worked me hard! I did two hours a day, four days per week, which doesn't sound like much when you've traveled half way across the world (my initial thoughts), but believe me it was enough! I was completely exhausted after every session as the exercise was so intense.
"Visibly, there probably doesn't look to be much difference (I'm still living life in a wheelchair for now), but I know in myself that I have more strength and control in my legs, which enables me to do daily things easier and that's ultimately what it's all about.
"The walking thing may come with time and exercise, so we'll see. But you can't believe walking can be so hard! Towards the end of my visit at PW, I did do some walking practice. It's very taxing on the mind as well as the body, and I'm continuing to practice at home. Kylie did a training course during our final week at PW, to enable her to train me. It's all about continuous exercise and weight bearing, in order to re-organise the nervous system and regain that connection below my injury.
"I have extensive hardware in my back, which I hope to have removed later in the year. Hopefully that will eventually allow me more mobility and my aim is to return to PW for another concentrated stint sometime after that.
"I want to thank the Hagon family (Hagon Shocks), along with Billy and Christina Hamill and their family for their generous help and support during our stay in California. We couldn't have done it without them. Finally of course, a big thank you to all supporters and organizers of Gillman Speedway for helping us make it happen," Adams concluded.
Project Walk is a Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center, an internationally recognized non-profit organization, exists to provide an improved quality of life to people with spinal cord injuries through intense exercise-based recovery programs, education, support and encouragement.
