CORE – CENTER for RESTORATIVE EXERCISE
Aaron Baker:
My name is Aaron Baker, and I am a recovering quadriplegic. Prior to my injury I was a professional motocross racer. May 26, 1999 I crashed while practicing, breaking cervical vertebras 4-5-6 in my neck. Lying there in the dirt motionless and completely aware of my plight brought forth a life altering realization of my place in life. No longer a professional motorcycle rider, or skate boarder, surfer, snowboarder, mountain biker, or even a simple fisherman made me realize that I am destined to do far greater things in my life than winning championships aboard a motorcycle. Things that affect people’s lives and can help people through my own adversity bringing hope and inspiration to those without.
While in the hospital my neurosurgeon diagnosed me as a complete quadriplegic, having only a one in a million chance of regaining any function below my level of injury. However, through my intense desire to optimize the quality of my life, through eternal optimism and exercise I have been able to focus my mind and energy resulting in a slow tedious return of function and strength.
From the moment I hit the ground I knew I was to embark on a journey of almost unimaginable power, for to overcome an injury of this magnitude takes more than just the fire inside me. I am blessed with a family and friends that have united to embrace each other turning tragedy into triumph. With the selfless support of these amazing people I have been able to set and achieve many goals for my self on my long road to complete recovery and independence.
I am an athlete, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I choose to face my challenges and to rise above and overcome with excellence! I am committed to inspiring not only through my words but my actions. I am of the philosophy that “what the mind can conceive and believe you truly can achieve”. I am honored to have the opportunity to share my experiences and to influence people in the world of spinal cord injury and disability.
PURPOSE:
CORE is a niche gym that fulfills a unique need by providing the benefits of ongoing restorative exercise for individuals with chronic illness and/or debilitating conditions. Our restorative exercise programs are based on the TKI System developed by renowned award winning Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Taylor-Kevin Isaacs.
CORE is committed to changing perceptions regarding the ongoing treatment and management of catastrophic injury and chronic conditions. CORE is a state-of-the-art facility, equipped with unique and specialized equipment, providing low cost integrated, structural, personalized and progressive evaluations, treatment plans, and education to help improve function, independence, and self-efficacy.
It is our goal to provide special need individuals the opportunity to improve the quality of their life by opening CORE facilities, which are not only feasible but accessible, in every major city nationwide.
Mission Statement:
It is CORE’s belief and enduring philosophy that the risk of secondary complications and degenerative changes that typically follow disability may be prevented and/or significantly reduced if exercise became an important part of the daily routine of every disabled individual following the release from medical intervention. Additionally, the concept of extended care through specially designed exercise programs is critical for continued improvement in functional movement and independent skills, ultimately enabling the affected individual to return as a productive member of society.
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