YMCA Training Helps Proud Dad Ascend to Heights for Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

As a 30-year member of the North Suburban Y, Mike Dawson of Northbrook appreciates the value healthy living.  However, a life-changing event in his family has raised the stakes for his fitness enthusiasm. He is training hard for a climb to the top of the Willis Tower in a fundraiser to support the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where his daughter received vital treatment after suffering a stroke in 2011.

Mike will participate in “SkyRise Chicago 2013” on November 3, climbing 2,109 steps to the top of the Chicago’s tallest building to raise funds and awareness for RIC. His personal connection with RIC began when his daughter, Heather Kroupa, experienced a devastating stroke at the age of 27 shortly after giving birth to her son Joshua. Months of post-surgery intensive therapy at RIC enabled her to regain her strength, coordination and speech. Heather enlisted her husband Adam, her brother Dan, cousins and friends to join her as a team of climbers with the inspirational name, “Where There’s a Willis, There’s a Way.”

“Without the care of the therapists at RIC, I would not be able to run, write, cook, carry Josh and Allison, or even talk the way that I can today,” notes Heather. “I thank God for providing me the opportunity to attend RIC after I had my stroke.”

At age 63, Mike knew that preparing for the climb would be essential to his success. He has been working toward his goal with Y personal trainer Gary Reed, emphasizing lunges, squats, core work, and Stairmaster training. After months of training, Mike feels ready to attack the tower.

“After being asked by Heather to join her team, I said yes then thought - what did I agree to!” remembers Mike. “I knew I had to get ready, so I interviewed with Casey Schmit, the Y’s Director of Health and Wellness. Casey assessed me and my goal, and then assigned me to trainer Gary Reed who developed a number of creative routines to develop all my muscle groups, with special attention to my legs, core, breathing and stamina.”

The guidance and support of his trainer was essential to Mike’s successful preparation. “When I would slack, Gary would push, and when I would doubt, Gary would encourage,” notes Mike. “With Gary’s encouragement and instruction, what started out as something daunting has evolved into an attainable goal. I have not been this fit since my teenage years!”

Funds raised in SkyRise Chicago benefit RIC’s cutting edge patient care and innovative research in the fields of spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, neurological rehabilitation, outcomes research and rehabilitation engineering. To support the team “Where there’s a Willis, there’s a Way”, visit http://tinyurl.com/SkyRise2013.

About the North Suburban YMCA

The North Suburban YMCA is a not-for-profit entity and relies on donations to fund capital improvements and transform the facility. All board members are community volunteers, who donate their time, talents and financial resources.  Located at 2705 Techny Road in Northbrook, the YMCA has served area families in its fifteen-city region for over 40 years.  The Y is about youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, providing programs and services that meet the needs of our community and are accessible to all.  For more information or to make a donation, call Barb Flanagin at 847-272-7250, bflanagin@nsymca.org, or visit www.nsymca.org.