DENVER (CBS4) ― Craig Hospital patients took their rehabilitation outside on Friday for “Hobie Day.”
It was a chance for people with spinal cord injuries to show what they’ve accomplished on a visit to Cherry Creek Reservoir.
The patients were supported by family, nurses and therapists as they braved the water and boarded hobies, or hobie cats — small sailboats.
“Getting them out into the real world settings — the sun, the sand, the wind and getting on boats is applied therapy,” Craig spokesman Kenny Hosack said. “It’s disguised as fun.”
Many of the patients were nervous about leaving their wheelchairs and getting on the boats but the support teams made sure everyone was comfortable.
“It’s a great learning experience, too, out here — learning how to get around on the different terrain, for example on the beach and there’s a wooded area up here,” said Beth Stubstad, an occupational therapist at Craig. “It’s great mobility practice.”
One patient told CBS4 being on the sailboat made him almost forget he was paralyzed.
After the exercises everyone enjoyed a big barbeque lunch.
It was the 30th year for Hobie Day at Craig.
Craig Hospital was just ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals list as one of the country’s top 10 rehabilitation hospitals.
