S.T.R.I.V.E., a division of Winning Wheels, is a 16-bed intermediate care facility for individuals who are diagnosed as developmentally disabled due to severe physical disabilities incurred early in life (for example, congenital disorders like Cerebral Palsy and Spina Bifida). S.T.R.I.V.E. provides rehabilitative treatment and training in self-care skills in a comfortable, homelike environment.

S.T.R.I.V.E. is a stepping stone in the Winning Wheels continuum of care, and is designed to optimize client levels of functional independence. The facility provides rehabilitative treatment and training in self-care skills in a comfortable, group home environment. We offer a wide array of rehabilitation services to meet each client’s individual needs.

Each client is evaluated by licensed physical and occupational therapists. Clients are assessed in the areas of muscle tone, movement, balance, endurance, ambulation, wheelchair maneuverability, strength, posture, and motor control. Gait and mobility training and passive and/or active assistive range of motion are provided to prevent and/or reduce contractures in both the upper and lower extremities.

Clients are evaluated by a Speech & Language Pathologist and/or audiologist as necessary. Therapy is provided for clients with speech, language, voice, swallowing, or cognitive communicative impairments. Evaluation and training with augmentative communication devices is also available.

The Recreational Therapy Department utilizes recreation services to improve or maintain physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning and to assist clients in expressing independent lifestyles. A diversity of creative, psychosocial, religious, physical, intellectual, and community-based recreational programs are provided seven days per week, including evenings and weekends. Various community outings are regularly scheduled, including shopping, dining out, cultural, and sporting events. This allows clients real-life opportunities to practice the financial management skills and social skills they have learned through their comprehensive rehabilitation programs.

The Vocational Training Program is coordinated in conjunction with the local community college and provides the skill training necessary for clients to become competitive microcomputer software application specialists. The program provides its participants with the training necessary to overcome physical, psychological, social and economic barriers, to facilitate their placement in community-based employment. Clients use specialized adaptive equipment that enables them to operate computer hardware and software.

The Developmental Training Program enables clients to acquire adaptive living skills by providing programming in areas such as independent living, nutritional planning, consumer education, and interpersonal skills training. Clients also learn functional skills which can be utilized in their everyday lives. These include money management/personal budgeting skills, meal preparation and leisure education/planning.

Anne Dunbar has been the S.T.R.I.V.E. Administrator from the beginning. Anne says, "S.T.R.I.V.E. has never fit the mold of a typical DD facility. In working with individuals who all use wheelchairs for mobility, we often have to adapt or create our own equipment and ideas for groups. We are driven by the needs of the residents we serve and are lucky to have a very creative staff who bring energy and new ideas to provide positive experiences. At S.T.R.I.V.E., quality of life is always about treating the whole person, exposing them to new experiences, in addition to providing good care. As in the last 20 years, I know that S.T.R.I.V.E. will continue to keep current with the times and offer the same technology and comforts that non-disabled people enjoy. We are always looking for ways to make our residents' lives better."