An interview with Angel Frechette and Caleb Pitman by Brad Bloom
How “driven” are you?
You, your church and your fitness community can make the difference in the lives of more people. As many as 25 million Americans and up to a billion people worldwide (that’s about 1 in 6) have a neurological condition or disease. We visited DRIVEN, a facility in Las Vegas that specializes in providing fitness and other support to those with neurological conditions to see what they do and explore what more can be done in communities everywhere.
Our center takes a holistic approach to wellness. We emphasize that beyond your physical well being you also need to nurture your mental and emotional well being. We collaborate with others in the city who provide such services and thus make this a one-stop shop. This includes support groups: one that is largely a resource hub. The other is more intimate and gets into the emotional challenges of having to deal with a disability. We want to blur and even erase the barrier between disabled and able bodies. -Angel Frechette
Want to help more people live a healthy lifestyle and experience the compassion and grace of God? Read this feature and listen to our interview then CONTACT US to go further. Let’s make faith and fitness a team effort in your community #teamliftforlife.
LISTEN NOW
Faith & Fitness Magazine publisher Brad Bloom has a conversation with Driven’s Administrator, Angel Frechette and Activity-Based Trainer Caleb Pitman. [Total Length: 21:36]
FROM CAR CRASH TO COMMUNITY CARE
Sometimes the most devastating events lead to the most incredible action. Sam Schmidt was a driver in the Indy Racing League before suffering an injury in practice in January 2000 in which he sustained a C-3/4/5 spinal cord injury that left him a quadriplegic. He created the the foundation Conquer Paralysis Now. To date in total, the organizations have invested more than $15 million in research and programs looking to cure paralysis and support people with disabilities to live better lives. DRIVEN is a multidisciplinary center in Las Vegas, Nevada that is part of Sam’s foundation to help those with neurological conditions.
THE BASICS OF WHO THEY SERVE AND WHAT THEY DO
DRIVEN is a multidisciplinary center where individuals with disabilities can improve their physical, mental and emotional health, increase independence, and enhance their overall quality of life using a holistic approach to wellness. It is an extension of Conquer Paralysis Now, a 501c3 non-profit organization.
DRIVEN provides options for individuals with disabilities to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle.
DRIVEN serves people with all forms of neurological conditions and other disabilities, including:
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Cerebral Palsy
- Transverse Myelitis
- Other Neurological Conditions
DRIVEN offers the latest accessible equipment, highly trained professionals, and NextStep activity based therapy programs. They provide a lifelong continuum of care using: Guided Exercise Programs, Strength Training, Cardiovascular Exercise and Group Exercise Classes.
WHEN IN VEGAS — PLAN A VISIT!
Want to see the space for yourself, learn from the team, get ideas you can take back to your community AND make a donation in-person to support the incredible work they are doing? Go to the Driven NeuroRecovery Center website, contact them directly, let them know you learned about them through Faith & Fitness Magazine and request to schedule a visit.
BE D-R-I-V-E-N IN TAKING FAITH AND FITNESS FURTHER
Can practical and functional care be combined with spiritual care? Absolutely! Should that only happen in a church or faith-centered fitness facility? Well, for sure it should be done well in those places BUT it can also be done in any fitness, healthcare or community support organization — even if it isn’t specifically faith-focused and especially if it wants to be inclusive.
DRIVEN is a great example of how that happens. This business does not specifically identify faith as a component of their business. Nonetheless, they know that some of their clients WANT spiritual support as part of the total package experience. Since faith is a strength (an actual skill set, knowledge base and passion) that Caleb Pitman brings to his vocation, he has been given the latitude to incorporate that into the services he provides — for those who want it.
This video shows Trainer Caleb Pitman working with one of his clients using Galileo therapy and training to help the client with his neurological condition. Together they talk about the time they take to also pray together.
If you go to a church, fitness facility or other place that intentionally wants to make the Christian faith a valuable component of the experience offered OR if you work for or represent such a place then use the following criteria that Faith & Fitness Magazine has created to guide you. We liked the name “Driven” and all that this organization stands for so much that we decide to use D-R-I-V-E-N as a mnemonic/acronym to help you remember these actionable goals:
DESIRE
DESIRE is the starting point. You have to “want” your church and fitness community to have an attitude that pursues after and then celebrates people of all abilities. Pray for and create a culture where everyone can have the opportunity and desire to be active, fellowship and worship alongside each other together.
REQUIRE
REQUIRE nice ideas and good intentions to become real outcomes. You have to set an expectation for yourself that you’ll truly have compassion for others and follow wholeheartedly after a greater calling to be others-minded. Identify a clear goal, create specific actions and set dates with repeatable frequency. When you do this others at your church and gym will see the good work being done and be compelled to join.
INVITE
INVITE those with neurological conditions to church and your fitness community. Ask God to expand your territory by opening your eyes, heart and mouth. Research, identify and connect with organizations and services that can help you meet people with neurological conditions. Then have a heart that wants to get to know them and support them. As you develop a stronger relationship pay attention for opportunities where they express interest in becoming more physically active or exploring faith more deeply. THEN it is appropriate to invite them to a fitness or fellowship experience.
VESTED
VESTED fully in someone other than you is a big step to take. It is also a level of strength and maturity that transforms your understanding of 100%. Take ownership of a new reality where you do good privately for the deeper right reason — your personal obligation to God.
EDUCATE
EDUCATE yourself on simple ways you can better listen to people’s needs and practical ways you can help others. We can always learn more and differently. Set yourself up to continually educate your mind, heart and behavior with live training, instructional content and mentoring relationships.
NURTURE
NURTURE rich relationships. Doing that can be beautiful AND it can also be messy. There’s certainly no room for hurt feelings or attitudes on your part. Nurturing is done in tandem with the full range of a prayerful life. It is cultivating companionship that both physically and spiritually is experienced together. It becomes an incredible #teamliftforlife
It happens a lot more than you think – while all of our clients are genuinely happy there are times when they arrive and [as a trainer] you can just see it. Emotionally, they’re just in their head. I get to be a vessel – someone they can talk to about what they’re feeling. Being able to be invited into their world and help them recover is how I help them thrive. Our ‘disabilities’ are our platform for helping each other and that is a phenomenal atmosphere. -Caleb Pitman
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