Physical challenges can’t stop man from making his push for YMCA

MARYSVILLE — Push, push, push. About once per second, Quinton Morris gripped the top of his wheelchair’s push rims with gloved hands. He powerfully propelled himself forward, moving more than his own weight and that of his manual chair. Behind him, chained to the wheelchair frame, was a 15-pound wooden box. Inside the box were two 5-pound dumbbells.

Push, push, push. Morris went around and around the gym’s perimeter Wednesday at the YMCA’s Marysville Family Branch. He smiled but stayed focused as he passed people gathered along one wall to cheer his effort.

Morris was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects movement and muscle coordination. He has other disabilities, including vision problems. None of that stopped the 25-year-old Stanwood man from raising money for Y programs through his Draggin’ Dumbbells for Disabilities fundraiser.

He kept up his strenuous effort for about an hour Wednesday. Even before he started, about $800 had been raised for adaptive fitness programs at the Marysville Y. And more was being raised with every lap.

“It’s hard. There’s no coasting. If I do that, my shoulders hurt,” said Scott Ballenger, an adaptive fitness trainer at the Marysville Y who works with Morris. Ballenger, 57, also uses a wheelchair. A quadriplegic, Ballenger was 15 when he broke his neck diving into shallow water.

Money from the fundraiser will support adaptive swimming, dance and fitness programs at the Marysville Y, Ballenger said. “Our adaptive fitness training is inclusive. We’re alongside all the other Y members,” he said.

Morris lives in a Stanwood group home and takes Dial-A-Ride Transportation to the Marysville Y about four times a week. A graduate of special education programs in Stanwood, he has a job at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett and has volunteered at a nursing home.

His Draggin’ Dumbbells for Disabilities event coincided with this week’s launch of the YMCA of Snohomish County’s annual community support fund-raising campaign, said Colleen Temple, the organization’s director of marketing and communications.

“The Y is more than a gym. It’s a cause,” campaign chairwoman Kelly Shepherd said in a statement released by the Y on Monday. “As a charity, we’re dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving our community’s health and well-being, and giving back and providing support to our neighbors,” said Shepherd, principal of Everett’s Sequoia High School.

The Y’s 2015 campaign goal is $1,381,000. That goal includes fund-raising efforts by the YMCA Board of Trustees, five local YMCA branches (Everett, Marysville, Mill Creek, Monroe/Sky Valley and Mukilteo), the Stanwood-Camano YMCA initiative office, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate.

Mary Bredereck, executive director of the Marysville branch, said her facility’s goal is $180,000.

Last year, the YMCA of Snohomish County’s financial assistance program, supported by contributions to its annual campaign and United Way of Snohomish County, provided $1,895,420 in direct financial assistance to 9,925 people. In addition, nearly $3,985,232 was provided in YMCA program subsidies.

JJ Frank, the Marysville Y’s associate executive director, was watching Morris pull the weighted box, which had carpet on its bottom to keep from scratching the gym floor.

“What I’m most proud about Quinton, he is making a difference in his community,” Frank said.

Before starting Wednesday’s effort, Morris said the Y helps him stay positive. “I realize I do have friends who have disabilities, and also that I can help them,” he said.

Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.