May 15 Walk & Roll to honor patients

At 10 a.m. on May 15, the Wilson Research Foundation at Methodist Rehabilitation Center (MRC) will host its inaugural Walk & Roll for Research to honor past or current patients and residents. The event will be held at Methodist Specialty Care Center, One Layfair Drive in Flowood (located between Mirror Lake Plaza and River Oaks Hospital.)

“Joining us for this walk and roll is a great way to honor a loved one who recovered ability, hope and quality of life because of Methodist Rehab Center,” said Chris Blount, Wilson Foundation director. Walkers and rollers (those in wheelchairs) of all ages are welcome.

Proceeds will benefit research at MRC. “This will help us find better ways to improve walking, use of hands, speaking, swallowing, mood and memory after a stroke, brain injury or spinal cord injury. And it will help us provide assistive technologies for better quality of life for severely disabled persons,” Blount said.

There is no cost for registration, which can be done online at www.active.com/donate/methodistrehab, or by calling the foundation staff at 601-364-3598. Participants may walk individually, join a team, or form a team.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. in front of the Specialty Care Center, with live music provided by “The Mississippi Swing!,” and a wheelchair fencing demonstration by Methodist’s award winning fencing team, The Blade Rollers.

The one-mile walk will then take place on the paved trail around Mirror Lake, followed by refreshments provided by MMI Dining Systems. Participants will meet and reunite with Methodist researchers, therapists, doctors and nursing staff. Also in attendance will be residents and staff of Methodist Specialty Care Center, a residential care facility for people with severe disabilities.

“Even if you cannot attend the May 15 event, you can be a ‘virtual walker’ and make a contribution, and encourage others to donate in your name,” Blount said. For details, visit the event website or call the foundation.