At the Carousel with Eleanore’s Project

Last night was our first time hosting an awareness and funds raising event in the summer at A Carousel for Missoula. The concept seemed great – presumably nice weather, with lots of folks attending Downtown Tonight, a community event with live music and food vendors just down the way.

But it poured rain so the turnout was poor – some Downtown Tonight vendors packed up and left early on. We stuck it out and those folks who joined us at the Carousel enjoyed unlimited rides for the purchase of a hand knotted bracelet from Peru, and had opportunity to learn about wheelchair needs in Peru as well as in the United States. In addition to photos of our wheelchair clinics in Peru, there was an educational area about threats to wheelchair funding here and the Complex Rehabilitation Technology legislation in Congress that would improve access and fair regulation if it becomes law.

When the rain let up for a bit we were able to set up the wheelchair skills course we had planned. While the numbers of participants were small, they had a good time and some came back for a second try at mastering wheelies and shooting baskets! A big thanks to Laura Miklautsch, board member extraordinaire who organized this event pretty much single handed, and A Carousel for Missoula for generously allowing us use of the Carousel. We hope to try this again in the future – with better weather!