Amputee Surfing

Surfing has always been something Ive always wanted to try! Ever since I can remember going to my first beach and seeing people surf I wanted to give it a go.  So I came to thinking how people with physical disabilities or amputees are able to surf.  I cam across this website which is the AmpSurf Association and it's a non-profit organization made up of amputees, veterans, friends and families of disabled.  They are solely dependent on donations to keep this association up and running.  Their main goal is to promote, inspire, educate, rehabilitate people with disabilities, especially our veteran heroes through adaptive surfing.  One in five Americans struggle with a life long disability and nearly two million men and women have served our country overseas and coming home and looking for ways to feel good again.  Whether they are an amputee, blind, suffer from PTSD, have quadriplegia or TBI this association is looking to help those people.  AmpSurf offers a unique program to bring the healing power of the ocean and adaptive surfing together for an experience that is both mentally and physically one of the rehabilitating.  They also offer clinics and lessons for a majority of people who don't know how to surf.  This is a great non-profit organization that truly wants to make a difference not only for amputees but for any populations or veteran. 

http://ampsurf.org/

Wheelchair Rugby

I ran across this sport of wheelchair rugby and it caught my eye because I would've never thought it would be possible and there is actually a US Quad Rugby Association.  Wheelchair rugby is played indoors on a hardwood court.
The rules of the game are kind of similar to wheelchair basketball, or ice hockey.  Its actually played with a volleyball on a basketball sized court.  The  object of the game is to cross the goal line with possession of the ball, the team with the most points when time runs out wins.  Quad rugby is a full contact sport but no personal contact is allowed like punching, slapping, scratching, or biting is allowed.  Penalties are enforced and are time deducted just like the game of hockey.  It looks like a pretty intense sport for more information head to their website!!

http://www.quadrugby.com/

Wheelchair Dancing

The American DanceWheels is an artistic organization that trains people with disabilities and their able-bodied partners different types of dances.  Melinda Kremer and Ray Leight are the creators of American DanceWheels.  They have been developing and performing wheelchair dances for almost five years now.  They have received national recognition for their innovative style, artistry, and presentation.  These two are actually the first and current wheelchair dance champions.  Melinda got started with wheelchair dancing when her daughter became physically disabled and needed to use a wheelchair where she then met Ray.  Ray also needed to use a wheelchair from a past accident he had.  With both of their athleticism and support for each other they formed the perfect team.  They have traveled throughout the country promoting wheelchair dancing so that people with and without wheelchairs realize everyone and anyone can dance despite them being in a wheelchair.  You can use either a manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair the sky's the limit!
After trying wheelchair dancing in class it is a blast!  It takes a lot of hard work and talent but it comes to show that anyone can dance whether they can walk or not. 

Here is the website for the American DanceWheels Foundation:
http://www.americandancewheels.com/

Here is a short YouTube clip I really enjoyed on a wheelchair dance competition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJ9NqyChCA0

Just Dance!

In this generation a new gaming system has come out that has opened a world of new technology and gaming techniques.  The Wii was introduced as not only a gaming system but also as a therapeutic intervention.  Nursing homes and other facilities are starting to integrate them into their facilities.  They can be very beneficial to any age and population for either means of exercise or entertainment.
Just Dance is a game for the Wii that is all about dancing and following the moves that scroll across the screen.  Its a music and rhythm video game that allows you to escape your daily routines by mixing it up with a little dance.  This is a very innovative game because you don't have to necessarily be standing to dance and do the moves.  The controller is the sensor and you hold it in your hand so even people who are in wheelchairs can dance and have a good time too!  This dancing video game can be used for exercise to get your heart pumping and to have a good time while doing it, or it can be used to get people out of their shell.  When you are in the mode and mindset of the game everyone looks silly doing it and it can boost your self-esteem.  This is something I would like to see incorporated in more facilities for different populations.  Its a very easy thing to facilitate you pick and song and pull it up on a big screen and many people can dance along!  The thing i thought was pretty cool is they even have it available on YouTube now so you don't even need the Wii and controllers, which makes this activity a fun and cheap therapeutic activity!

Wheelchair accessible Swings

There are many types of swings out there but one type of swing I found very innovative was the wheelchair accessible swing.  I noticed this swing at camp and it was pretty cool because I've never got to see one before.  Its a metal platform with front and rear ramps for the wheelchair to get up then the ramps are folded up and the wheel chair is locked in place.  It gives individuals who are in wheelchairs a chance to do a very basic thing such as swinging.  Its an activity that most people enjoy its very relaxing and it gives you a chance to think.  I feel this would a great modification for all parks to have because most parks these days aren't wheelchair accessible.  So having a swing set with a wheelchair accessible swing would be the first step in right direction for a leisure pastime that is accessible to everyone.

Biking

A new bicylce design was created for people with disabilities to ride the bike more independently.  Disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disabilities, and Acquired Brain Injuries can affect basic motor functions such as balance and strength, hindering their ability to operate a bike as an individual.  This specific bike helps support the rider by helping them balance.  This design also instills confidence so that they can ride the bike without any assistance.  This design looks very mainstream and modern.  This bike helps increase the riders self-esteem and encourages them to be more active in society.  This specific type of bike looks like a normal bike but it has two slanted wheels in the back for stability. 

There are also several other types of innovative bikes for people with disabilities.  Another type of bike is one where there are arm pedals that move the bike rather than foot pedals.  This specific type benefits people who are paraplegic and don't have leg control so they use their arms.  There also is another type where there is a seat in front of the bike for an individual who can't physically bike, to be able to sit in the front for the feeling like their biking but someone else actually is behind them.  

Here is the link for adaptive bikes!
  http://www.brucefreemanrailtrail.org/trail_plans/universal_access.html

Innovative Hula Hooping

After Ally came to our class and talked to us about her passion for hula hooping we came to talking about different ways of hooping for different people.  It got me thinking how innovative that is, that you just don't need to hula hoop around your hips.  You can hoop around your arm, neck, or someone can simulate hooping around your wheelchair.  This is a great activity that anyone can benefit from and have a good time!  The hula hoop is a really simple toy that can be modified and you can use it in many ways.  It can benefit and entertain many populations.   

Paper Keyboard

I was at Easter Seals Respite Camp this past weekend and I specifically noticed one camper who was non-verbal and had Autism.  His way of communication with his parents and other people is a laminated paper keyboard so he can communicate.  So all you do is hold out the keyboard and he will take his finger and type in the letters that spells what he wants to say.
I thought this was very innovative because it gave him an outlet to express what he's thinking instead of trying to point or write it down on paper.  It was quick and easy for him to type it in, and for the coulselor or one of his parents to find out what he was trying to say.  Its a great, quick, cheap, innovative technique!

One Handed Woodwind Musicians

A lot of people are musically talented, especially growing up everyone wants to try out an instrument.  Well not everyone has the ability to play a woodwind instrument because they don't have full functioning of two hands.  Well the One Hander Woodwind Program was created for people with disabilities to play instruments. 
Dr. Nabb a musical professor at the University of Nebraska Kearney.  He had passion for the saxophone and after a massive stroke, one side of his body became paralyzed.  After his rehab he designed a one-handed saxophone "toggle-key" saxophone with a repair show owner (Jeff Stelling) and returned to his teaching job.  The personal experience is what motivated Dr. Nabb and Jeff Stelling to create a one-hander woodwind program at the University of Nebraska.  Yamaha has agreed to donate the parts for future one handed instruments.  Starting this program has also set up an international forum on musical instruments adapted for persons with disabilities.   

Here is a link to their website with a great YouTube clip!
http://onehandwinds.unk.edu/

Hula Hooping!

In class on (4/26) Ally Surber a fellow classmate in TR came in and shared her passion for hula hooping with us.  She started introducing herself and how she got into hooping and just how therapeutic it really can be.  She showed us a couple YouTube videos which were really cool and got me really excited to make my own hoop and try it out.  After introducing us to hula hooping and its benefits we actually made our own hoop and decorated it with colored duct tape to fit our own liking.  You start out making a hoop by cutting irregation tubing to the perfect size for you, then putting it together with a coupling and blow drying it to melt it together.  Then the fun part, decorating it with colored duct tape.  After we decorated them we took them out to the parking lot where we practiced and had a fun time hula hooping! This is a very beneficial and cheap project you could do at like a summer camp with kids and they would have a blast.  It really gives you time to yourself when you are in your own "hoop" to focus on yourself physically and mentally.

Long Presentations Con't

In class on (4/19) the last three groups presented their long activities.  We started off the day doing team sports, we did a variety of different activities while working in a group.  My favorite activity was the spider web game where we had to pass the hula hoop through our group while we are all linked hands.  It really challenged us when we came together as a group and some of us had to balance on one foot while everyone else had their eyes closed.  This is a great activity to use with groups of people because it really focuses on people working together as a team.  Following team sports the next group presented drama, where we started off making a commercial based on a random item then wheelchair dancing.  Wheelchair dancing was really fun because it was an innovative activity that a majority of us haven't tried before so it was something completely new.  It also gave us the chance to be in a wheelchair and try it out to understand what its like to be in a wheelchair.  Finally my group presented relaxation where we started off making stress balls out of balloons and sand, followed by guided imagery and breathing techniques.  We really wanted to stress the breathing techniques because its an important aspect in relaxation and you can focus on breathing anywhere in any place and it can relax you.  We also showed guided imagery because it can benefit any population and put anyone in a better mood and relaxed state, its also really easy and doesn't involve much planning.  We thought this could benefit the geriatric population, or youth population especially youth in the hospitals because its a really new unfamiliar environment and peoples stress and anxiety levels are usually increased.  Also making stress balls was really easy, fast, and cheap.  Its definitely useful for finals coming up!

Long Presentations

In class on (4/12) the first three groups presented their long presentations to the class.  The first three categories we focused on were book altering (arts and crafts), challenge courses, and finally music and rhythm.  The most innovative and unique which was my favorite was book altering.  Ive never seen or heard of it before so it really caught my eye and I'm excited to finish my book and definitely use this in the future!  What I really liked about book altering was it can be used and adapted to many populations.  Its a great outlet for self expression and really focuses a lot on fine motor skills.  By taking and old book you are personalizing it to make it your new book.  Some of the stations they had set up were shadow windows, magazine clippings, paint, bubble paint, and paper mache.  For example if you wanted to do this with youth at risk, maybe having a volunteer help with scissors or having bald ended scissors, and having a volunteer help with the box cutter for the shadow boxes would make this activity more appropriate for this population.  Other than a few adaptations this would be a great activity for kids to express themselves!

Ice Owls

The Ice Owls are a very unique and innovative hockey team from Toronto Canada.  They are a hockey team composed of players who are blind or visually impaired.  Now many  of you are wondering how this is possible but its the puck which makes this possible.  The puck is a hollow plastic wheel composed of nuts, bolts, and hardware.  It rattles and hisses flying across the ice which makes it quite easy for the players to follow the flow of the game.  The Ice Owls team was formed in 1972 and has been growing ever since then.  Some of the rules are different compared to a normal hockey game, the biggest rule change is the height of the puck on a shot into the goal.  To make it possible and fair for the goalie to stop the puck it has to be below 3 feet to count the goal.  As another rule the forwards usually have the greatest degree of sight, followed by the defense men, then the goalie who is usually completely blind. 

Here is the website for further information: http://www.iceowls.ca/

Relaxation

In class on (4/5) we learned about relaxation and actually did some guided imagery to relax ourselves in this stressful part of the semester.  We talked about how we personally reduce our stress levels and learned some different techniques.  We learned that breathing is a very important step in the relaxation process.  Some of the different techniques we looked at are laughter yoga and guided imagery.  Laughter yoga is pretty innovative and definitely takes the right person to facilitate this.  Watching a video on it just makes me feel uncomfortable for the person leading it, its something I would never be able to facilitate.  Guided imagery is really relaxing and really focus on  breathing and relaxing every part of your body.  After this lesson on relaxation we broke off into our groups to plan for our long presentation.  My group actually has relaxation so we were planning on doing some of the things he mentioned in his PowerPoint.  It we great to get a little insight to relaxation before our groups turn to present. 

Virtual Schools

In class on (3/29) a teacher/representative came in from Wisconsin Virtual Schools to talk to us about online virtual school for kid’s k-12.  This virtual school is not only for students with disabilities but also any students that feel the need to move faster than in a classroom or maybe they don’t like the social setting of going to school at a brick and mortar school.  It was a very interesting presentation since I never knew this existed that we could do all of our schooling through the computer.  I’ve taken one online class so far in college and I don’t mind it, it’s very convenient and suitable for some people.  But on the other hand it lacks interaction and face to face communication with the professor which can be tricky in some instances.  He mentioned multiple times that this school based through a computer is great for some people but not for everyone.  The gentleman covered everything you need to know about the virtual school from how to enroll through actually showing us certain courses he is teaching as of right now.  The biggest advantage to virtual schools is having the ability to move at a pace that you are comfortable with.  It gives you the time you need to process information and accomplish tasks needed.  It doesn’t give you the pressure of being in a social setting with classmates pushing you at a faster pace than you are comfortable with.  He seemed to stress a lot how flexible they are with student’s schedules which I thought was pretty cool.  For example is a student likes to sleep in and focuses well in the afternoon to supper time, that will be the time when they have class.  Virtual schools give you freedom to control when you want and feel most confident learning. 

Towards the end of the class period he handed out IEP’s to each group to look at and become familiarized with.  An IEP is and individualized Education Plan.  Each student has one of these explaining their interests and strengths along with what to watch out for along with their disability if they have one to be able to form a plan suitable for them specifically.  When each of the groups received one we had to think of five recreational activities we might plan to do with our student based of their care plan on the strengths and weakness.  This activity gave us a hands on experience, learning how to read about someone and how to implement activities that will help them learn and grow.  Here is their website for more information:  http://wisconsinvl.net/about-wvl/

Fun with Puppets!

In class on (3/22) we learned about puppets and how to incorporate them into Therapeutic Recreation.  Dr. Navar came in and taught us the basics of puppetry using the kids on the block puppets.  The kids on the block puppets are unique, they aren't just normal puppets.  They are puppets that have different disabilities, and they are used to teach people about specific disabilities.  Sometime they are used with kids because they may feel more comfortable talking to a puppet about a disability rather than talking to human face to face.  We watched a video to learn the basic techniques on how to maneuver the puppet to bring it to life.  The video taught us about lip synchronization, moving the puppet across stage, and posture.  Making the puppet "come to life" is a challenge and not as easy as it looks, its a good workout for your arm!  Its a great teaching tool but takes a lot of time and practice.
We also talked about other uses for puppets and other types of puppets.  Some different uses for puppets are muscle tone, memory, social skills, self expression, medical play, and entertainment.  Different kinds of puppets include hand paintings, paper bag, sock, finger, shadow, and ventrilaquists.  Following this discussion we got into our groups to create our own activity using puppets.  Our population was young teens with eating disorders, we thought to have them making a sock puppet in a way that would represent them, and basically having them create their own performance and writing their own script to describle struggles they delt with.  This was a great class period that introduced us to an activity we all forgot about due to the increases in technology!

Group presentations and Videos

In class on (3/8) the final two groups presented their activities.  My group went first and our topic was rock climbing and hiking and while doing research for our PowerPoint I ran across a lot of interesting equipment that is used as adaptations for hiking.  Hiking itself seems like a very easy and basic activity but there are adaptations out there to get everyone involve.  For example the trailrider is a very common wheelchair used to accommodate individuals with physical disabilities so they can still enjoy the outdoors with friends and family.  The second group presented on hunting and fishing.  Throughout their presentation they included a magnitude of equipment that has been accommodated to many populations of individuals.  They also included the prices of all the equipment which I found really interesting.  They also noted that there are special hunting permits to allow people with various disabilities a special time to hunt
Following the presentations we watched two videos that highlighted the past activities we learned about.  It showed individuals with disabilities completing their favorite activities despite their impairment.  These videos were very interesting to see just how driven and successful those individuals were to not let their disability get in their way.  We were asked what a CTRS would learn from these stories.  I feel that they could learn a lot, not only just how many activities are out their for people with disabilities but also learning just how much determination that these individuals put into their passion.  Learning and seeing that a majority of activities have modifications that apply to different populations and to find out the clients interest and go off that.  Don't settle for anything less than you are capable of.   

Group Presentations

In class on (3/1) groups started to present there short group presentations.  The first group to go presented on boating and kayaking. Their presentation was very entertaining, we all sat on top of our desks pretending we were kayaking, not to mention kayaking to Pocahontas.  Not only did we learn about kayaking with different populations and modifications to that but we learned different rowing techniques which could come in handy in the future!  We also learned about the different kinds of boats and which type to use for each population.  Very fun and entertaining presentation!  The next group presented on therapeutic and recreational horseback riding.  They passed out stuffed animals so we each had our own "horse" when learning and listening from the horse whisperer.  Not only did we learn about different techniques to help comfort horses and care for them we learned about different adaptive equipment for populations.  There are saddles that have backs, there are special cushions for the saddle, safety stirrups, different handles for holding the horse, and different lifts to get people up and onto the horse.  This presentation was interesting for me because I don't have much knowledge on horses or horseback riding.   The third group presented on adaptive painting and sculpting.  We actually watched this very interesting video on this man who had a visual impairment and he became and amazing artist.  It just comes to show that anyone can do anything they set their mind too.  There are so many activities that have adaptive equipment out there to make it possible for virtually anyone to try.  I also learned about all the adaptive tools involved with painting and sculpting, very interesting.  The final group presented on high ropes courses, where we learned about three innovative activities.  One being team beams, where two participants support each other as they cross narrow beams.  Another is the high balance beam where individuals cross a high beam in the air with no hands, and finally the hour glass activity where participants cross three crisscross ropes to the finish platform. 

Array of Activities

In class on (2/22) we started off with one last short activity.  This activity was artist, clay, and model, which was a very unique game where one person was the artist who had a blindfold on, another person was the clay which the artist shaped, and finally the model who chose a creative pose.  This activity was really innovative and included no outside materials besides ourselves.  Its a great activity to have as a backup because its quick and easy to explain and do. 
After completing that activity we moved to talking about ways to change and modify simply games to meet different needs and goals of individuals.  We looked at the game red light green light, another way Dr. Lewis explained to us was using a train with different rules.  It was very interesting and may appeal to different populations of people.  Then we broke into our groups to construct a program for the population spinal cord injuries based around the show Project Runway.  My group chose to construct a program based around creating a hat out of non traditional materials like feathers, leaves, or pipe cleaners.  Its a fun way for participants to express themselves.  These activities are great and innovative and can be tweaked in ways to accommodate many populations to accomplish any array of goals.

Short Activities

In class on (2/15) our groups presented our short activities we chose.  The first group presented innovative art, which was really fun and gave us the participants a chance to express ourselves using random household items like cotton balls, sponges, ribbon, feathers, and leaves.  There were different colors of paint to create our own masterpieces on paper.  This was a very positive activity that many populations of people could benefit from!  The second group presented making magical music which was also a very creative activity where groups had to construct their own band to make music for the class with random supplies.  Our group decided to play a version of twinkle twinkle little star with our innovative instruments.  The third group presented musical expression which was a very unique game.  It was a very relaxing activity where groups got together to draw our feelings out on paper as different genres of music played in the background with the lights off.  After each song played we would switch papers and draw on that one.  It was really interesting at the end to turn the lights back on and see the creations we made.  The fourth group started off presenting an ice breaker game called shoe ID, we all took one of our shoes off and threw it in the middle of the room then picked up a random shoe and chatted with it's owner to learn a little more about our classmates.  Following the ice breaker we were instructed some basic chair yoga stretches.  This activity brought us all together to relax.  Finally my group presented egg drop, this activity is an active activity where groups collaberate together to form a contraption around their egg using straws, paper, and tape to prevent the egg from breaking.  Groups seemed to get pretty competitive when we dropped the eggs of the third floor balcony.  This was a great team building activity which involved good communication skills.  Overall this was a very fun class period and I learned a lot of good activity which I will add to my bag of tricks for the future!

Research in WINGS

Last week (2/8) we met in the technology center where we learned different techniques to use when researching for our upcoming paper.  We learned a great way to access journal articles by  logging on to our library website, and searching by key words or terms to really narrow down our search results to specific finds directed towards our interests.  This is really a good spot to find accurate interesting journal articles which can help us in our future as TR professionals or in other college classes.  Its a short simple search that will help us greatly in the future!

Tape Art

This past week in class (2/1) we learned about collaborative arts specifically tape art.  We were given clear packaging tape and plastic wrap along with other random objects to represent and relate Therapeutic Recreation and our assigned populations.  This group activity was very innovative and fun but we still learned a great deal from it!  My group was given addictions, which at first seemed pretty challenging and it took us a couple minutes to think of an idea and get to work.
Eventually we thought of an idea it snowballed from that.  We decided to make a long tunnel with an arm coming from one end reaching towards a light with barriers in its way like alcohol and drugs.  This symbolizes not only a goal of someone with an addiction but a metaphor of the meaning "reaching for the light at the end of the tunnel".  When talking about the benefits of this activity for an addictions population we said its good social skills for the individuals to interact with each other in a safe environment which ties into good communication skills allowing them to express themselves.  Some problems to watch out for is to set guidelines so their tape art is appropriate, and to have good ventilation because the tape did have a strong scent. 

This was a great activity and I feel our group worked well together given the time frame and materials involved.  This is something I will hold on to for awhile and use in the future.  Its cheap, fun, and easy! :)

Intro

Hi I'm Molly and I am currently a junior.  Therapeutic Recreation is my major and I'm minoring in psychology.  As of right now I'm still up in the air with what population of people I want to work with, but I love working with kids.  I love to volunteer with different organizations, throughout this year I've been volunteering over in West Salem at Lakeveiw Health Center with the geriatric population which I enjoy very much!
I grew up in Appleton Wisconsin and attended high school at Kimberly High.  I love sports and being outside so in my future I would love to incorporate those into my career.  I enjoy meeting new people and trying new things which makes me excited for this class!