This year Virginia “Ginny” Conway ’78, an alumna from University of Wisconsin – Madison’s School of Education with a degree in Physical Education and Michael Conway ’78, an alum from Engineering, created two funds in support of the School of Education. One in the Adapted Fitness Program of the Kinesiology Department, and the other in the Dance Department.
When asked about their donation, the Conways said, “When we took our tour of the Kinesiology Department we were very impressed by the Adapted Fitness Lab. It combined practical problem solving for a range of undergraduates and graduates as well as providing a needed service to the surrounding community. For us, it was a clear area to provide support.” Their gift has provided the Kinesiology Department with the means to offer a Graduate Fellowship to Ph.D. candidate, Kecia Doyle Greene, who will provide graduate-level training and assistance to the Adapted Fitness Program.
Kecia Doyle Greene, is the first-ever recipient of the Conway Graduate Fellowship Fund in Adapted Fitness. Kecia has always been passionate about working with people suffering from movement disorders. In 2004, she started with the Adaptive Fitness Program as a volunteer, having the pleasure to work alongside the program lead, Tim Gattenby, as well as all of the dedicated participants and families who are amazing advocates for the program.
It isn’t only the participants that make the Adaptive Fitness Program so special- the adapted fitness team’s dedication to their participants played a large role in the Conway’s decision to help fund the program. After their tour of the facility, the Conways commented on the struggles those with diverse abilities often experience stating that “People who are faced with a mobility challenge often deal with an overbooked [physiologist] who is trying to help you but also the other three to five clients that are assigned to the same time period. After a consultation it’s ‘off to the hand bike for ten minutes’; ‘fifteen repetitions on one foot then the other’ and so forth. Time permitting your movements may be observed for the first two reps and then only again if you fall over.” This is a stark contrast to what participants experience in the Adapted Fitness Program where “your presence is welcomed. Your first steps are applauded. Those scary wobbles can be supported with the enthusiasm of your team.” The Conways ended on a hopeful note, stating that “Attitudes like this can help motivate the patients and turn around a situation from ‘No I don’t want to go back there’ to one of ‘I have to go back to the Lab, they’ll miss me (and I’ll miss them as well)’ I hope more fitness programs can embrace this paradigm.” Kecia is ready and eager to help set this standard confirming that because of her experience with the Adapted Fitness Program, she values “incorporating inclusive practices to encourage, inspire, and retain students and participants”.
Kecia is humbled, honored, and incredibly grateful for this generous gift, which has given her the opportunity to complete her doctorate while working with a program near and dear to her heart. The Kinesiology Department as a whole would also like to express its extreme gratitude. With their gift, the Adapted Fitness Program will now be able to offer an additional section of class and will be able to provide more assistance and oversight to existing classes. This will provide more opportunities to UW students to get involved with the department, as well as opportunities to those with diverse abilities to be able to take part in such an amazing program.
Mr. and Mrs. Conway, on behalf of the Adapted Fitness Program, the Kinesiology Department as a whole, and all of the students whose careers and opportunities you have helped foster- THANK YOU!