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!