The Axel: For this week’s story idea, I would like to do a story on Happy Valley FitLink which is a community for adults with disabilities. I would like to discuss the importance of creating a community that is surrounded by positivity for the people who struggle with disabilities and feel different from everyone else.
The Riders: The best people to tell this story would be the two people who helped develop this program. Student, Jacob Corey, and Kinesiology professor, Jonna Belanger developed Happy Valley FitLiknk. They would be two great people for this story because they were the ones that brought this program to life and have seen benefits from it. Corey would be so beneficial because he has a disability so he could explain why FitLink has bettered his life. Another great source for this story could be a special education teacher from one of the elementary schools or high schools downtown. They could give insight on how Happy Valley FitLink could be beneficial for the children they work with currently or maybe how incorporating younger people could benefit both adults and children with disabilities. I think someone from the LifeLink group who also attends Happy Valley FitLink could also help tell this story because they can share how FitLink is different from LifeLink. Overall, anyone who has a disability or works with people who have disabilities could be a great source for this story because they directly experience what it is like to have a disability or work with someone who does and the challenges involved.
The Spokes: For this story, I think a video clip of people at a FitLink class would be great because it will bring the story to life and show what happens in the class and what the people do during the class. To get a clip of people moving around during this class with some sound of the music they listen to will be good for the story as well. Additionally, I think getting a soundbite from a kinesiology professor and an adult who attends the FitLink classes will be excellent for this story as well. I also think it could be interesting to get a soundbite of an outsider who just has a general opinion on this program.
The Rim:
Begining: I would start with the eagerness to create FitLink and the “ah-ha” moment the student and professor had to create FitLink.
Middle: I would discuss the benefits of FitLink and the perspective people with disabilities have on FitLink and the benefits to it. I would discuss how it differs from the LifeLink program and how this program gives them more confidence than any other.
End: I will end it with how the FitLink community is so strong and powerful for adults with disabilities and how it will better them. I would love to get a clip here of someone who attends FitLink saying how it has made them stronger and more confident. FitLink also makes our community stronger because it shows that we are a community that loves to help and cares about one another.