OUR ABILITY LEADS TWO-WEEK-LONG ERIE CANAL JOURNEY
Buffalo to Albany trek to raise awareness of the ability inside all with disabilities
An ambitious two-week journey across upstate New York along the historic Erie Canal to
begin in Tonawanda, N.Y. announced today.
Journey Along the Erie Canal – in partnership with Our Ability, the New York State
Canal Corporation, New York State Industries for the Disabled, Parks & Trails New
York and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor – will increase awareness of the
ability inside all people with disabilities, and raise funds to support adaptive sports,
accessibility, education, and employment for all New Yorkers with disabilities.
The event was conceived by renowned entrepreneur, advocate, and motivational speaker
John Robinson, whose personal story has inspired thousands. Through his organization,
Our Ability, Robinson mentors, connects, and inspires people with disabilities toward
education and employment.
John Robinson, President & CEO of Our Ability said, “The Erie Canal is the symbol of
inspiration and achievement! A dream to cooperate for a purpose spurred on American
development. Our Ability chose the Erie Canal to help inspire all people touched by
disability towards a new wave of economic development. Inspiring all people with
disabilities toward education and employment through achievement can help re-build our
economy.
Beginning in Tonawanda, Robinson and members of Our Ability will bike, boat, run and
walk the Erie Canal and Canalway Trail all the way to Albany, to raise the public’s
consciousness of the strides that people with disabilities have made and continue to make.
As the tour makes it way across New York, numerous advocacy groups and organizations
supporting the rights of people with disabilities will join Robinson for parts of the trip.
Additional sponsorship has been provided by SEFCU, Price Chopper and Goodwill
Industries.
Brian U. Stratton, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, said, “We are so
very proud to sponsor this ambitious and exciting Journey Along the Erie Canal. The
Erie Canal offers something for everyone, and John Robinson’s important work will help
demonstrate that people of all abilities can visit, use, and enjoy America’s most iconic
waterway – the Erie Canal – and the Erie Canalway Trail. We look forward to
welcoming John and the Our Ability team in Albany on July 8 at the conclusion of their
365-mile adventure across upstate New York.”
Beth Sciumeca, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
said, “Our Ability's journey inspires us all to push harder, dream bigger, and go farther
than we thought possible. It gives us an opportunity to gain new perspectives and learn
what gaps may need to be filled to accommodate travelers of all abilities. We are honored
to be part of the group's support team and we'll be cheering them on every step of the
way.”
Our Ability will chronicle the ride providing daily video, blog, and social media updates,
all the while recording stories for a follow-up to the PBS documentary, Get Off Your
Knees: The John Robinson Story. The winner of several awards including 2010 Telly
Award, Get Off Your Knees has aired on more than 100 public broadcasting stations in
the U.S. as well as six other countries around the world.
Ron Romano, President and CEO of New York State Industries for the Disabled, said,
“At NYSID, our mission is to provide opportunities for employment, an important focus
for all New Yorkers – with or without disabilities. What John and his family are doing to
raise awareness of accessible tourism in our state is yet another aspect of a fully inclusive
life. As the Robinsons prepare to put their best feet forward from one end of our state to
another, we commend their inspirational example of the human spirit.”
As a congenital amputee born without full arms and legs, John Robinson overcame
countless obstacles to become a successful businessman, family man and inspirational
keynote speaker. He founded Our Ability, as a way of helping to mentor and inspire
people with disabilities through positive video stories.
For Events during the Journey Along the Erie Canal:
http://info.ourability.com/Journey_Along_Erie_Canal
And, to support Journey Along the Erie Canal – DONATE or REGISTER here:
http://journey.ourability.com/
The Journey Along the Erie Canal full schedule is as follows:
Date
6/23
6/24
6/25
6/26
6/27
6/28
6/29
6/30
7/1
From
Tonawanda
Lockport
Albion
Spencerport
Fairport
Palmyra
Newark
Weedsport
Syracuse (Dewitt)
To
Lockport
Albion
Spencerport
Fairport
Palmyra
Newark
Weedsport
Syracuse
Canastota
7/2
7/3
7/4
7/5
7/6
7/7
7/8
Canastota
Rome
Utica
Little Falls
Canajoharie
Amsterdam
Niskayuna
Rome
Utica
Little Falls
Canajoharie
Amsterdam
Niskayuna
Albany
###
More than three-quarters of the 365-mile Erie Canalway Trail from Buffalo to Albany is
now completed. For more information, visit www.ptny.org/canalway.
The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the
Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles, the
waterways link the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes,
Niagara River and Lake Erie with communities rich in history and culture. For more
information about the New York State Canal system, vacation opportunities and events
call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.ny.gov.
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