On your mark, get set, go!....Race Running (add'l blog #10!)

Another video or two for you to watch to preface this blog....warning you may or may not get goosebumps when you watch it, I know I did! Race Running. and What is Race Running?

So as you can see, race running is a sport that allows people with Cerebral Palsy a chance to get up and run! It uses a frame that resembles a bicycle with 3 wheels that lacks pedals. The sport, which can be both competitive or a source or exercise, was started in 1991 and has been expanding ever since. I think that is a a phenomenal idea that is extremely innovative. The idea behind the sport is simple enough, but what it enables individuals to do is incredible. For some of these individuals who rely on wheelchairs to get around, this sport gives them the freedom to get out of their chairs and exercise (no pun intended) a little independence. Even those who don't use wheelchairs but may lack some of the coordination that is necessary to run, race running allows them to take off at a pace that would be unimaginable otherwise. Losing balance or tripping  is not an issue when using the race running bike which provides the runners with a solid foundation to keep them stable. Although race running has not yet reached the United States, (to my knowledge), some of the countries who participate in the sport include Brazil, Canada, Denmark, England, Wales, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Sweden. Hopefully we will soon see this sport gain popularity in the U.S! I think it has the potential to change the lives of many and I would love to get involved in something like this! To visit the official race running website, click here.
 Until next time, Katie

Wheelchair Accessbile Hiking Trails (add'l blog #9)

As has been demonstrated, people who have disabilities are very capable of doing the same activities that the rest of the population can, with small adaptions to better accomodate them. For me personally, one of my favorite things to do in spring, summer and fall is to go hiking! I have come across a site that is dedicated to recognizing wheelchair accessible hiking trails throughout the U.S and in some other countries as well. Some of the qualities that are important in order for a trail to be w/c accessible may include having a hard surface (pavement, cement, planks, packed dirt or gravel), being free from ruts and rocks; being wide enough for a wheelchair or scooter to pass through easily, gradual elevation changes and of course the most important part: having beautiful scenery! It is important to research the trail you are going to before getting there to make sure there won't be any unwelcomed surprises that may inhibit someone who uses a w/c from proceeding. It is also important to be realistic about your ability. You don't have to start with the MOST challenging hike, but instead try starting on the easier end of the spectrum and work your way up the latter. If possible, avoid going on hikes by yourself incase you encounter a w/c malfunction that would require assistance in fixing.  It's pretty awesome to see how far we have come in w/c accessibility. It seems ridiculous that there was a time where accessibility wasn't inforced and people were simply SOL. Fast forward to the present and not only has the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protected people with disabilities from discrimination (transportation, employment, accomodations, telecommunications) but there has been an explosion of recreational opportunities available to them! For more information on w/c accessible hiking trails, or if YOU have any information of your own that you would like to make available to others (share the wealth!), you can visit this website :) Until next time, Katie

Tai Chi for Arthritis and other conditions... (Add'l blog #8)

Tai Chi is a form of martial arts that originated in China. It's an exercise that strings together a series of slow movements that form a dance, in a sense. It incorporates mental concentration, fluid movements, full body integration and controlled breathing. Some of the benefits that have been associated with Tai Chi have included improving one's physical condition, muscle strength, coordination, flexibility,  balance and sleep, decreasing the risk of falls, and easing pain and stiffness. Itcan be beneficial for a variety of individuals because it's intensity level can be altered depending on the individual and it is easy to learn. It can be especially effective for peole who have arthritis because it provides them with a form of exercise that is low impact and easy on their joints. It is a great alternative exercise for people with arthritis and one that some people might not initially consider. I imagine it is intimidating  and discouraging to try and exercise when you experience so much physical pain from it, but alternatives such as Tai Chi reduce the painful side effects that other, more strenuous types of exercise involve.  Hopefully more people learn about and take advantage of this opportunity! Until next time, Katie

Handicap Scuba Association: The Leader in disABLED diving (Add'l blog #7)



First it was sky diving, then it was exploring the wilderness at camp, then leaving land completely and going sailing, and NOW I'm going to share with you an opportunity for people with disabilities to explore the underwater world. That's right: Scuba Diving! The Handicap Scuba Association, also known as HSA, has been serving people with disabilities since 1981! Part of their mission statement says that their goal is to provide people with disabilities the same opportunities of quality training, certification and diving adventures as the rest of the population. Some of the disabilities they have accomodated in the past have included those with paraplegia, quadriplegia, those who are visually impaired, have high-functioning brain injuries or mild retardation. Based on the divers ability level, they will be assigned a corresponding level which states what their specific diving circumstances are. For example, if someone is a Level A diver, they are able to dive with as few as one other person. A Level B diver must be accompanied by at least 2 other divers and a Level C diver must be accompanied by 2 divers, 1 of which must be trained in diver rescue. They also offer a program called The Dive Buddy Course which allows an able bodied person to dive with someone with a disability. This is a great program for anyone who many want to try diving but would feel more comfortable doing it with a family member of friend, as well as for people who may want to increase the recreational spectrum of a family member or friend who has a disability. Overall, this association has instructors in over 45 countries worldwide! Every year, HSA plans several trips to exotic locations for the diving experience. What's more, the trips are actually planned by travel agents who have disabilities themselves and ensure that all aspects of the trip are handicap accessible! I am more and more amazed at the programs that I keep discovering that have amazing opportunities and I hope that those adventurous ones out there have the chance to experience all of these great things available to them! THe HSA website is available at this link. Until next time, Katie



Training in the pool before setting out to
the open waters of the ocean!



Challenged America: "We're more than just sailing" (Add'l Post #6)

Challenged America is a program that enables people who have a disability to experience the wonder of sailing....however they  express on their website that it is SO much more than just sailing. Located in San Diego, CA, Challenged America was first started back in 1978 when two disabled veterans were watching others sail and thought to themselves, “That looks like fun…and all of them are sitting too.  Now, that’s something we should be able to do.” With an idea as simple as that, Challenged America was established with the idea that offering people with and without disabilities the opportunity to sail, they could improve their health, build up their self-confidence, develop new skills and abilities, stimulate independence, and foster a competitive spirit in its participants. In fact, they consider themselves a form of vocational rehab where they encourage their participants to contribute back to the community through employment, self-employment and business ownership, volunteering, and returning to school. In the past, particpants have described their sailing experiences to bring great benefits. Some of these benefits have included temporary relief from chronic pain, relief from anxiety in those who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), an enhancement of other senses in those who are visually impaired, promoting mind stimulation and reflexes in those who have suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, increased self awareness and confidence in those on the Autism Spectrum, and promoting feelings of independence and control in just about everyone! On the outside it might appear to be sailing, but on the inside it is clear that the participants take away so much more. Although I think we have a long way to go to decrease discrimination in people with disabilities, it's great that programs such as this are being developed to broaden the spectrum of opportunities available to them! For more information, visit their website here! Until next time, Katie

NO Limits: Theater for children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (Add'l blog #5)

No Limits is a program located in California whose goal it is to help build up children's communication skills and self-confidence through an after school program and a theater program....but not just any children, children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.  Some people may be able to afford a speech language pathologist to help their children develop their abilities, however many people do not have the financial means to afford these services. No Limits was established with lower income families in mind who need the help but may not be able to afford it otherwise. Some of the services they provide include individual therapy, biweekly literacy program, weekly parent education courses, computer training, theatre and public speaking program , language enriched programs and support groups for children and their families. I think that this is a wonderful program that has the potential to change thousands of children and families lives. When you are a child, it doesn't take long before you realize that you are different from your peers and at that age, children can be very judgemental and exclusive. When I was younger I had a speech problem myself and I can still remember being made fun of, and that was about 12 years ago. By being in a program with people who are in similar situations, I think it would be easier because they can identify with the struggles that you have gone through. I also think it's great that No Limits provides education for the children's families because they are the ones who spend the most time with the kids and can make the most impact. At the end of every 10 week session, No Limits has a graduation to recognize the accomplishments that the children have made. It's great that they have an "incentive" to motivate the kids and give them a way to measure how far they've come. All in all I think that this is an awesome program that can make an impact that thousands of children. To learn more, visit their website here.  For information on OTHER theater-related programs for peole with disabilities, click here.
Until next time, katie

Wisconsin Badger TRIP&TRAVEL Camp (additional post #4)

Another little plug for WBC, I just can't say enough about that place :)  This time, however,  I am going to talk about the "Trip and Travel" Program! This is a program that is offered through camp that allows campers to travel to places around the midwestern region! It's really great because it gives them the opportunity to travel to different places that maybe they wouldn't otherwise have the chance to go. Some of the trips they offered this past summer included "Wisconsin Dells Adventure", "Packer Amusement Trip", "Oshkosh Odyssey", "Mall of America Excursion", "Under the Big Top Spectacular", Houseboat Voyage" and "Lake Michigan Mania". I think that programs such as these are very important because they allow people to have a break from their daily lives and have new experiences with new people! I'm not sure how many other programs like this exist, but I definitely think that they are beneficial!
Until next time, Katie

Wisconsin Badger PRIMITIVE Camp (additional post #3)

This past summer I was a counselor at Wisconsin Badger Camp in Prairie du Chien, WI. WBC as it is affectionately known as is a camp for adults with developmental disabilities. It offers 10 weeks of camp where the campers get to participate in activities such as Nature, Arts and Crafts, Recreation, Swimming, and Music. While our traditional camp is awesome and benefits a lot of people, that's not what I would like to focus on in this post. Instead I am going to talk about two other programs that WBC offers: "Primitive Camp."





"Prim" is a camp  session that goes a step beyond the regular weekly camp. It is definitely a little more rustic. Although the campers still sleep in cabins, they do not have any running water or electricity and all of their meals are cooked over the fire. All of their activities take place on the "prim" campsite, which is about a mile off of main camp.  They only come up to main camp twice a week to shower and have the opportunity to swim in the camp pool. It is however required that the campers who participate in "prim" are higher finctioning. I think that this is an awesome opportunity for many becuase it is so our of the norm for them. Being in the camp atmosphere overall is a great situacion because no one is judged by their disability and they are accepted for who they are, sometimes for the first time. Additionally, prim is a place for them to  gain some independence and get their  hands dirty, figuratively and literally. From my experience, many people who have disabilities are treated so delicately, like they are going to break if you aren't extra careful. It's hard to know what they are capable of unless you sometime push the boundaries. I think prim is a great opportunity for these individuals to have the chance to push themselves to do something out of the norm and see what they can really do! WBC is a great place and I am honored to have been a part of it :) Until next time, Katie  

freeeee fallin' AKA wheelchair bungee jumping (additional assignment #2)

I must be feeling awfully adventurous right now because I have another extreme wheelchair sport to share with you: Wheelchair bungee jumping, mmhmm that's right. Didn't think it was possible, well it is! Another video for you to watch if you're interested at this link. I am just amazed at all of these opportunities that are available to people who use wheelchairs. If you can imagine back just a few years ago (well within the last hundred years) when some people with disabilities were shipped off to institutions called "insane asylums" and compare that with the opportunities that those same people are presented with today. It's a world of difference, and thank God for it. I mean, bungee jumping in a wheelchair, that's pretty awesome!
Until next time, Katie

WHEELCHAIR skyDIVING (additional post #1)

First of all, you should watch THIS video before reading any further.....

..Did you watch it? How INCREDIBLE is that! For anyone to go skydiving is a brave feat. I know I would love to do it someday when I muster up the guts! However, can you possibly imagine the feeling of freedom for someone to go skydiving when they spend most of their time in a wheelchair? It must be incredible. Props to you all who have been brave enough to try it yourself! Just wanted to give you some food for thought today...This really goes to show you, you really only have a diability if you allow yourself to. As Scott Hamilton said, "The only disability in life is a bad attitude." Couldn't agree with you more.
Until next time, Katie

Internet techology for people with disabilities

Today a group presented to our class the benefits of internet technology for people with disabilities. For our generation the internet doesn't appear to be all that innovatibve becuase it we have grown up with. However, with the internet has come an EXPLOSION of opportunity for everyone, especially in the area of networking.With sites such as facebook and myspace, blogs, chatrooms, open forums, support groups and more, there are so many opportunites for people to communicate over the internet. For people with disabilities this can be especially helpful. Whether it's a mother of a child who has a disability who's networking with other parents in similar situations, or someone just trying to chat with a friend, the internet has made things a whole lot simplier. For many people with disabilities, leaving the house can sometime be somewhat of a process becuase they can't always just hop in a car and go. By means of the internet, they have the ability to talk with friends, meet new ones, share their struggles and triumphs, do research on cutting edge treatments or an unlimited amount of other possibilities with the click of a mouse. Although there are many positive aspects to the internet, one also has to be aware of the negative side of things as well. Becuase the internet does not always allow face to face interactions (although Skype is a wonderful thing), people sometimes have to be skeptical as to who they are really talking to. You may not want to give out too much personal information to someone if they only encouters you have had with them are in a chatroom or on a networking website. If used with caution, however, the internet can and certainly is a wonderful thing that we have all come to take for granted. I for one don't know where I would be without it, certainly not writing this post, THAT'S for sure! Until next time, Katie

Toxic waste, wheelchair soccer, take apart art, and crossfire youth ministries! whew!

Last week we had one busy class! It was our second session of long activities facilitated by my classmates. We started off by playing a game called toxic waste. The class was divided into two groups and we each had a styrofoam cup that had the same number of strings attached to it as the number of participants. The cup was full of beads and the object of the game was to transport the cup from one side of the room to the other, using the strings only, and dump the beads from the inicial cup to another. The specific population that the group had in mind when playing this game were people with drug or alcohol addictions. The dumping of the beads from one cup to the other symbolized ridding oneself of the drug that had taken over their life. The partipants had the option of sharing their struggle with the rest of the participants. I thought that this could be a valuable game if it was played with participants who are willing to share their feelings. I, however, think it might be a challenge for some people to take this metaphor seriously and be willing to share their feelings with the other participants. I guess it just all depends on who you're working with. I thought the group did a good job presenting, though, and it was a very creative idea.

The next activity we had a chance to take a part in was called, "take apart art". For this project, everyone in the class was given a small piece of paper with a design on it. We then had to copy the picture onto an 8x11 piece of paper. After everyone was done we put the pieces together (in a designated pattern) and it ended up making one large picture of a peace sign made out of handprints.  The population that the group focused on was youth at risk. They talked about some of the numerous benefits art has such as reducing anxiety and tension, an outlet for expression, a means of communication, can increase self-awareness, cognitive abilities, and reducing stress. I thought that this was a very beneficial activity and could definetely be beneficial as a creative outlet for the appropriate population. You can visit the official website here

Next we had a presentation from one of our classmates about a facility called "Crossfire Youth Ministry", located in LaCrosse. To view Crossfire's website, click here. This facility is geared towards youth in the LaCrosse area. It's a facility where teenagers can go and hangout with their friends in a safe and substance free environment. It provides a supportive and encouraging environment, which some might be provided at their own homes. I think this sounds like a wonderful program and I would be interested in doing some volunteer hours there next year!

Finally we headed over to the REC to play some wheelchair basketball. The group who facilitated this activity first showed us a short video about powerchair soccer, which you can see here. It's amazing to see the skills and abilities that these players have and I can definitely say that it is easier than it looks. We tried to play a few games ourselves and it was very frustrating because I felt like I had no control over where the ball was going and I was nervous when I was wheeling towards another chair. In the video however, you can clearly see that they are NOT gentle with each other, they ram into one another and have so much control over their chairs, it's amazing. It makes me have a lot of respect for all athletes who use wheelchairs because they have to overcome the barrier of their physical limitation but still manage to be incredible athletes!

FOOD for thought, CHARADES, and HOOPING

Our class this past week was just about one of the most fun ones that we've had yet, and it was led by yours truely amongst othet students! The focus of this class was for our groups to have a chance to facilitate a long activity that lasted approximately 35-45 mintues of the class. My group was the first to go, with the topic of food for thought. We supplied the class with a variety of fruits and veggies and gave them free range to create something that represented them/their group in a certain topic area. The specific population that we focused on was people who are severely depressed and so the topics which we assigned the groups to focus on included  things that scare your or give you anxiety, what do you hope for the future, how do you feel today, what is something about yourself that you would like to change, what is something that you regret, and what makes you happy. The class got very creative with this task and had some really wonderful sculptures. I wish we could have had a little more time to really allow everyone ample time to come up with an idea and carry it out to completion. I have included some examples (not from our class) of how others have gotten creative with food!  



The next activity that we got to partake in was called telephone charades, which was "gear towards" people who have hearing impairments, but by no means is limited to that population. What happened is one person from a team picked a prewritten scenario and had to act it our for only ONE other member of the team, while the rest of the team waits somewhere where they can not see what is going on. The person who witnesses the acted out scenario then acts in out for the next person on their team, even though they may not know exactly what it is they they are acting out. We have some classmates who could be potential actors/actresses I think! Some of the scenarios we had to act out were changing a flat tire, suddenly giving birth in a supermarket, getting into a hockey fight, setting up a campsite and catching your pants on fire, sneaking out of your parents house to meet a lover and many more. It was apparent that everyone in the class really enjoyed this activity and I think we all had had an ab workout as well from all of the laughing we did! I definitely think this would be a great game to play for people, with or without hearing impairments. We discussed how the people who do have the impairment would probably feel like an "expert" in acting out because they may have to use gestures in their everyday conversations as a conversational tool.



Lastly, our class was re-introduced to hooping....or at least I was. I haven't hoola-hooped in years! Although I don't remember ever being able to do it for as long as I did in class.....which I wish wasn't the case because when I was little I remember being in a hoola-hooping competition at a family reunion where the prize was $50 ....needless to say I didn't win :).... ANYWYAS! We didn't just hoola-hoop, but we made our own hoops! It was a very simple process. The only materials we needed were irrigation tubing, colored making tape, a blow dryer and a connecter which connected the two ends of the tubing into a hoop. Although we had a blast making the hoops, we had even more fun using them. We even had to go outside (keep in mind it was about 35 degrees) becuase we were getting so warm from all the hooping (a new verb I've never used before) we were doing. One of the really interesting facts that I learned about hooping is that when you hoop in one direction and then stop and go in the opposite direction, it is just about the closest both your left and right brain get to functioning at the same time. I think the physical and mental/emotion/social benefits of hooping were all pretty evident in our experience. Everyone was laughing and socializing throughout the activity; sharing strategies and laughing at how goofy we all looked. Not to mention I think we all got a good workout!

That's all I've got for today! Another round of "long activities" next week, which I'm very much looking forward to after this week.....not to mention I get to go home right after class for Thanksgiving break!

Until next time!

Katie



Pet Therapy

Last class we had two lovely ladies and their dogs, Gus and Cooper, come in an talk to us about animal therapy! It didn't take too many words to describe the effect that animals have on people....it was pretty evident the moment you walked into the room and saw the reaction the students had to the animals. Everyone seemed to be in a better mood, despite the fact that this is a night class from 4:00-7:00pm, because there were DOGS there. If the two women had come alone, granted they had wonderful personalities and did a great job presenting, it just would not have been the same. Some of the benefits of animal therapy that were described to us, and also sometimes visible in the students are: Giving a calming presence, a reduction in anxiety, morale boosters, increased self-esteem, reduced feelings of lonliness, and entertainment, amongst many others.


Gus, the Golden Retriever that came to visit us :)



Since our presenters really did need to do much explaining on the benefits of animal therapy, they talked about their experiences as being part of a therapy team (the team includes the animal and it's trainer). There are special requirements that their dogs had to pass in order to be classified as a therapy dog. Some of the things that they need to be able to handle include:

1. Be friendly with people upon their FIRST encounter. The dogs do not have time to get to know the people/patients/clients prior to their therapy session therefore the dog must be comfortable with people at their inicial meeting.

2. Be able to handle "high stress" situations. You never know what kind of situation you are going to encounter. Whether it's loud noises or little kids grabbing on to the dog's collar, the dog must be able to remain calm.

3. Be able to interact with other dogs.

4. Sit on command and stay in place



All in all, I thought that this was a wonderful presentation! For more information on the Coulee Region Human Society's program "Ambassadors of Love" click here I have two dogs of my own at my parents' house (4 hours away from school) so it was nice to be able to hang out with two dogs, even though they weren't my own :) I think that pet therapy is something that I would be interested in being involved with when I have the time and money to have a dog of my own! That's all for now, until next time!

Katie



Goal Ball

It's not everyday that I wake up with a huge bruise on my knee and realize it's from class the previous night; which was the case last week. In Innovative Activities, we were introduced to a game called "Goal Ball" and things apparently got a little intense (but we won, so it's cool). According to the United Stated Assoication for blind athletes, goal ball is, " a Paralympic sport played by athletes who are blind and visually impaired. Developed after WWII as a way to keep blinded veterans physically active, it has become the premiere team game for blind athletes. Played competitively by men and women, it is a very fast paced, physically challenging, strategic and exciting game." Here are some basics of the game. 1. There are two teams, each composed of 3 players. 2. The ball that is used has bells inside of it, so you can hear when it is headed your way. 3. The court that is used is the size of a volleyball court, and each team of 3 stays on their respective side. 4. A player from one team tosses/rolls the ball to the otherside of the court, with the intention of getting it past a designated area which would result in a goal. 5. The opposite team (without talking) listens for the ball to come to their side and strategically places their body on the floor to prevent the ball from passing their goal line. 6. When the opposing team receives the ball, they have 8 seconds to roll it to the other team's side and make a goal. For a more detailed description of the game, you can visit this website: http://www.usaba.org/Pages/sportsinformation/adaptations/goalballadapt.html I had a great time playing goal ball, despite the bruises! It was great to try this innovative sport and because we were blindfolded while we played, we could really get a feel for what it is like for someone who is blind! It was quite challenging and it made me have a greater respect for athletes who have to overcome such obstacles!
Until next time, Katie

ROAD TRIP to: Horse Sense for Special Riders!



Trail Ride at HSSR



This week we had a change from our normal classroom atmosphere by jumping in the car and going to visit Horse Sense for Special Riders. Click here to view there site and learn more! Anyways, we met with the lead instructor, Chris Gruendeman, who is a Physical Therapist and has been with HorseSense since ~2003. Chris explained to us the services that their facility provides and what some of the benefits of riding horse may include for populations with additional needs. Some of the skills that one might work on at Horse Sense could be, but are not limited to, balance, communication, an increase in self confidence, following directions, motor control, sequencing etc. Their facility has very skilled staff members and can accommodate a wide variety of disabilities and as long as the participants get "OKed" by a doctor. I really enjoyed visiting this facility and would love to volunteer there sometime. I have never assisted with any type of animal therapy and think it would be a great thing to experience!

LifeStriders Therapeutic Riding Center

After researching other therapeutic riding programs in Wisconsin, I discovered that they are few and far between, which means that many people do not have a program that could serve them in their area. Click here to view the therapeutic riding programs offered, according to county, in Wisconsin. I further looked into a program in Waukesha County called LifeStriders Therapeutic Riding Center. Similar to HSSR, LifeStriders is a non-profit organization that " provides life-enhancing, physical and psychological experiences and services to individuals with special needs." I think it is amazing how much horses and therapeutic riding programs have the ability to make such profound change in an individual's life. After being exposed to this type of therapy, I know that it is definitely something that I would like to know more about and experience for myself.

Until next time,

Katie

Handimals

Another interesting week in Innovative Activities, but by this time, I've come to expect nothing less :) This week we were introduced to hand art! The idea with had art is that one uses their hands and arms to make unique creations simply by painting them! Our class was very creative with this project! We had some people go with a Halloween theme, some made animals, and we even had a sea monster! Below you can see a few examples :) Hmmmm can you tell the difference between our class and the pros? :) This would be a great way for people to be able to express themselves in the TR field. It is important, as it always is, to keep in mind the population you are working with this activity. One population that we especially thought you would need be be cautious with would be the elderly becuase they generally have more sensative skin which might not tolerate the paint as easy as others could. We did, however, brainstorm an idea to overcome that obstacle. Since many of the students in our class did not particularly like the feeling of dried paint on their skin, we thought a great way to avoid it would be to wear gloves instead so that the paint does not actually have to come into contact with skin! For other populations, the focus may simply be the sensory feelings associated with the paint and paint brush on their skin or possible increased body awareness. I had so much fun with this activity! It's been awhile since I've been able to "get messy" in class :) I'm getting a much more comprehensive definition of  the word "Innovative" every week!
Until next time,
Katie



Elephant

 


Sea Monster!

 




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Dalmation

Mark Jenkins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kGkmCeHnVs&feature=related

If you watch the short clip of the video above, you will get a pretty good idea of how the course of our class went last Thursday. Mark Jenkins is an artist who makes sculptures using nothing more than an object, saran wrap and packaging tape! All of the figures in this video were made precisely this way, dress up in some street clothes and put on display throughout the city! Although our class had a lot of fun making our own sculptures, we also had a very meaningful conversation about how this activity could be presented to a variety of populations, for example, corrections, the elderly, persons with psychological disorders etc. Some of the things that we discussed were what goals could be accomplished through this task as well as certain considerations that the facilitator must make prior to the activity to make it more applicable/safe to the specific population. I thought that this was an awesome activity as could definitely be described as INNOVATIVE! It just goes to show you what kinds of amazing things can be done/created with such few resources :) I'm sure that this isn't the last time that I will be making a tape sculpture, and I can't wait to see how I can utilize this project in the future!

2 Short Activities, 1st formal facilitation of the semester :)

This week in Innovative Activities our groups all facilitated 2 short activities for the class to get a feel for what it is like to lead an activity. The activites ranged from ice breakers, to name games, to team builders to competitive games. Although I'm sure there are many areas in which we all can improve, I thought that everyone did a spectacular job for this being our first formal facilitation of the semester! It's funny that when I first declared this major, I was a little hesitant about speaking and leading activities for large groups but I already feel SO much more comfortable than I did before. I'm glad that I moved past that insecurity becuase now instead of focusing on being nervous, I can focus my attention on how I can facilitate the activity so that it will yield that greatest outcomes for the participants! I am very interested to get our group's review back to see how we can improve on our future presentations :) Until next time,
Katie

Facilitation Techniques

Our class subject this week was focused on how one can most effectively facilitate an activity. One of the first things that was pointed out was the subtle difference in identifying yourself as "leader" or a "facilitator". In my opinion, I think a group would be more likely to engage themselves in the activity and open themselves up when it is led by a "facilitator" because it is not such an authoritative term and the participants would have less reason to feel intimidated. Other key aspects of facilitating an effective activity depend on being in an atmosphere that is conducive to the activity and, what may be the most important factor in all of this, the reflection on the activity. It is through reflecting that the participants come to realize what they have learned and how it can be applied to other aspects of their lives. Without reflection, the meaning of the activity might just get lost in the fun of everything and "teachable moments" will pass right on by.... That's one of the things that I am most looking forward to experiencing out in the field; being able to create and facilitate experiences that people not only enjoy, but learn from as well :) It's funny, I think that realization just came to me while reflecting on what I learned in class. Ironic.
Until next time, Katie

Hereeeeeeeee we go!

The first post. How exciting. This past week was our first class of Innovative Activities. I must admit that I was not particularly looking forward to having a three hour class but, (thankfully!), it did not feel that long! The class focuses on activities, equiptment and facilities that can "enhance functional skills and foster meaningful recreation participation" for persons with additional needs.  One of our projects for the semester that I am looking forward to are the workshops that different groups will present to the class on different kinds of adaptive equipment/activities. My group was assigned to do our workshop on adaptive golf. I think that this project will be a great opportunity to network with professionals in the field, broaden our knowledge on the variety of adaptive equipment and activites that are available to different populations and lastly help us prepare for the kinds of professional interactions that are soon to come our way! Now as far as what we did in class last week....one of our in class tasks we had was to pick two random object out of a box and make some sort of game/activity using BOTH objects together. It was awesome how innovative everyone was with their objects :) It really showed me how you can  make something out of nothing, and what's more, use it to acieve a specific goal! I think that this activity is just the 'tip of the iceberg' of what is to come in this class and I can't wait to see how it unfolds!
Until next time,
Katie