Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity are participating in the second-annual “No Boundaries Week” Sept. 29-Oct. 4, which raises awareness for people with disabilities.
A variety of activities took place in conjunction with “No Boundaries Week,” including a video presentations about Push America, the fraternity’s philanthropic effort, and the Journey of Hope. An empathy dinner was held, and fraternity brothers will operate an information booth at the Festival of the Oaks this Saturday, Oct. 4.
A new experience this year was to spend a day in a wheelchair, where fraternity brothers experienced the challenges that people with disabilities face everyday. Each wheelchair was sponsored by a campus organization, including sororities and Habitat For Humanity. The wheelchairs helped raise awareness among students and faculty about wheelchair accessibility in campus buildings and residence halls.
The individuals, in wheelchairs each day, faced the difficulties of traveling up hills, over curbs and into buildings. They developed a sense of respect and appreciation for the challenges that individuals with disabilities face each day. Brothers received no assistance throughout the day, making the experience as realistic as possible.
The experience made an impact on those who took part. Pi Kappa Phi brother William France said, “my experience in a wheelchair has shed light on what life is really like for those confined to a wheelchair. People take for granted how fortunate they are to have the mobility to go from one place to another on their own two feet. Being in a wheelchair has given me a ton of respect for those who have to live with disabilities each day. At the same time, people in wheelchairs are just the same as all of us; disability does not mean inability.”
“No Boundaries Week” is part of Push America, Pi Kappa Phi’s National philanthropy. The mission of Push America is to promote volunteerism and encourage education and awareness about persons with disabilities around the United States.