As a quadriplegic who’s very used to being paralyzed, I never really had a fervent desire to go to a place like Project Walk. However an opportunity has come about for me to finally try one of these “paralysis recovery centers.” Project Walk, one of the first to administer this type of therapy, just opened a branch in my hometown, and an email invitation to their opening arrived in my inbox last week.

Holy cow was this something I never expected! Project Walk is based in San Diego, the land of sunshine and never-ending spring and summer. As a resident of Minnesota, I tend to think that the frozen tundra we reside in half the year is the last place a chain would expand to, but they have. It turns out the founder is from Minnesota. Then I noticed the invite was from Matthew Roderick, a filmmaker and spinal cord injury research advocate as well as father of a local young man with a spinal cord injury. So I replied with a capital “HECK yes!”

The grand opening was last Saturday and let me tell you, seeing this place in-person — all sparkly new with excited employees eager for the possibilities that lay ahead — even gave me a sense of hope. Not “hope” in the sense that I would walk again, but hope for the future. Maybe that’s what moving your body (all of it, not just your arms) can do for the brain?

I received the grand tour. There are about 15 machines all set in a circle, with their hallmark piece of exercise equipment that horizontally gets you standing. It’s a pretty cool piece of equipment — you lay on your back and your feet are braced on a platform. Then comes the cool part — the surface you’re lying on moves up and down a track, mimicking a standing motion.

And then there is this really cool multiple strap set-up the trainers use to help us stand. This looked a bit daunting to say the least. I think I’ll save that for the incompletes, ha! I’ll just be happy to get on the standing frame with the footrests that move.

There is also a stationary bicycle they claim they can put me on to help me pedal. I asked them, “You mean ‘pedal’ with my arms right?” And they said no, “your legs.” I’m still not quite sure how that’s going to work.

For their first month, their initial three-hour assessments are free, so of course I’m going later this week. After October ends, the likelihood I’ll continue going is not that stellar because of the cost of the program and insurance not covering it, however they do offer a scholarship program. I may apply if the assessment later this week is awesome.

What say you? Have you been to a Project Walk-type center before? What did you get out of it? And would you recommend it’s a little ol’ me?