A few years ago, I had a great idea- I wanted my son to be able to go on his school skating trips and experience skating like everyone else. The problem? He is in a wheelchair. Traditional ice skates are not an option for him. However, it seems a shame- since we live in a small town with very little to do, but there IS an ice rink beside the school that they DO walk to- that he miss out on a recreational activity he would enjoy. And, there were several kids who went to school with him who had mobility issues or used wheelchairs, who were missing out.

So, my mission became to get our town a few sledges.

What is a sledge? Well, you already know from the post's title- a sled is a sled-type thing with blades. It's a compo sled/skate. They use them for disabled hockey. They use them for recreation. Someone who is capable can self-propel it, or someone who can not (like my little man) could be pushed from behind.

It was going to be my mission- to get one or more of these sleds. I was going to approach the town to see if I could get permission to store and use them at the rink, then had fabulous idea on how to get funding. With a lot of research, I found a small company in Canada who makes them and I wrote to the company. They responded that they were going away for a month to the World Cup.

Then I got stuck. I didn't proceed. I pulled up that email. Two and a half years has gone by since I wrote it, and that was NOT the first time I had thought of doing this project. Two school skating seasons have passed, and I feel guilty because there is no sledge. Well, I'm back onto my mission! Enough is enough! First step- I sent a message to therapists who oversea these children to make sure they have no objections. They're keen on looking at this, once I get more info.

Now I'm stuck again. I need to find some of these sledge manufacturers. Where are they? I keep weeding through Google seaches that talk about sledge hockey (which is painful, because hockey is NOT my thing). If the Google Search Gods lead you to this post, and you know manufacturers, or have any great information on the topic, please send me a comment!  I promise to think of you every time I take my son skating.

Upon my research, I found a Youtube video of someone in a wheelchair being pushed around on the ice by another person, "skating". We have done this with my son several times. So, it got me to thinking- is a sledge really necessary? Would it be "different" to be in the sledge? And, the therapist brought up the point about transfers- maybe its best to STAY in the wheelchair? (My little guy can't really assist with transfers).

Which is funny that I was thinking this, because someone responded to the video in a similar manner:
I think that person had a really interesting question. Is it "different", or is it the social aspect of being able to be there, with the other skaters.

So, I added my own question, which I really hope the video poster gets (although its an old video) and responds to:

I'm researching ice sledges, to try to get the town to approve a few for my son & other kids in our area, so they can go "skating" with their peers. I thought the question that (the previous person) asked was a good one- how is the enjoyment level IN the wheelchair, compared to had you been sitting down in a sledge?
We've taken my little guy (who is non-verbal, so he can't tell me about this sort of thing) out on the ice in his wheelchair. I'd love your perspective. Thanks!