Keeping kids fit, active and healthy are just a few of the benefits of participating in team sports.
It’s no different for kids who aren’t able to participate on school or community teams because of a physical disability, vision loss or because they are on the autism spectrum.
Eric Larson, supervisor of Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute’s Sports & Recreation department, is here to explain the opportunities available for kids as young as 5 to participate in adaptive individual and team sports.
Benefits of Adaptive Sports for Kids With Disabilities
Featured Speaker:
Learn more about Eric Larson, CTR
Eric Larson, CTR, -Supervisor Sports & Recreation department, Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
Eric Larson, is the supervisor of Sports and Recreation for Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute.Learn more about Eric Larson, CTR
Transcription:
Benefits of Adaptive Sports for Kids With Disabilities
Melanie Cole (Host): Keeping kids fit, active and healthy are just a few of the benefits of participating in team sports, but it is no different for kids who aren’t able to participate on school or community teams because of a physical disability, vision loss or because they are on the autism spectrum. My guest today is Eric Larson. He is the supervisor in the Sports and Recreation Department at The Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. Welcome to the show, Eric. Tell us about The Courage Kenny and what it has to offer for adaptive sports and recreation.
Eric Larson (Guest): Good morning. For over 35 years, Courage Kenny has offered a whole host of seasonal, recreational and competitive sports opportunities for kids and adults and folks of ages that have a physical disability. Our goal, really, is encouraging active living, encouraging participation and now allowing a disability or a functional limitation to impede someone’s participation in sport or their activity of choice.
Melanie: What are you doing with kids at Courage Kenny that gets them involved and makes them feel as if they are part of a team?
Eric: Essentially, we provide a year round opportunity - seasonal recreational and/or sports opportunities. We provide high level competition to just come on out and to try it. Wheelchair sports are something that our program has been known of for a number of years. We’ve hosted national competitions and we’ve sent teams to super high level competitions and have won those. But, we are also just really trying to get folks to realize that there is a super benefit to being active and not using their disability as a reason to sit on the sidelines. Providing seasonal-based recreational opportunities for people to choose how they get involved in the community and participate in sport is really what our goal is.
Melanie: Are there some kids that don’t want to participate in team sports? They are wanting to do individual things? How do you work with those kids?
Eric: Absolutely. A fundamental principle of leisure and recreation and in living independently is to be able to choose. Choice is a cornerstone of recreational participation and/or sport participation. We want people to explore different sports and/or recreational opportunities. We do that through one-day events and specialized opportunities for people to come out and try a piece of equipment – so to speak – whether it’s a hand cycle that you peddle with your hands or a ski that you sit down in. We are really trying to meet people where they are and sometimes an introductory or a discovery activity turns into “Hey, I’d like to get involved in a team” or “I’d like to get involved in this on a more regular basis.” So, whether it’s team sports or recreational participation we have the tools and the expertise to get people pointed in the direction of living an active lifestyle.
Melanie: Give us some examples of some kinds of adaptive sports that you work with kids on.
Eric: As far as our wheelchair sports program, we certainly have one of the most robust wheelchair basketball programs in the country. We have a power wheelchair soccer program which is the game of soccer played from a power wheelchair using a larger ball. We have a track and field program. We have archery. We have a competitive swimming program. Downhill skiing is probably the hood ornament to our program. It is the one that is the largest and requires the most input in really getting people exposed to something that, in a lot of cases, people feel is a big barrier and that’s outdoor recreation participation in the winter here in Minnesota. Those are some examples. We really have about 18 different weekly programs for folks to choose from throughout the year. It is supported by volunteers. We have volunteers that come from all aspects of the community that contribute their time and expertise in order to remove those barriers for participation.
Melanie: I understand you even offer rock climbing now.
Eric: Absolutely. Rock climbing is one of our newer opportunities. It can have a competitive aspect, but, really, there is a lot of physical functional benefit to that activity. It really is less of a team sport and more of an individualized sport. Of course, you want to provide those opportunities for people that don’t want to be a part of a team to take part in something. Typically, we offer that six to eight weeks in the spring and then in the fall. Working one to one with individuals--there is a group of kids that show up and then get splintered out into working with an individual that has a lot of background in rock climbing that coaches them through how to progress through the sport. It is a great, exciting opportunity for, more or less, kids at this point. Some of the children that are taking part are more ambulatory and, perhaps, have an autism spectrum diagnosis or have some other physical disability. Great program.
Melanie: Adaptive sports can be quite expensive – as can any sport participation. For parents, it can be quite expensive, but I would think adaptive sports even a little bit more so. Do people have to provide their own equipment?
Eric: That is one of the areas that we work hard to remove that barrier to participation. You are absolutely correct. Some of the equipment that we use is very specialized and very expensive. We provide the equipment. We provide the necessary adaptive equipment for people to take part in, whether it is a specialized ski or bicycle that you peddle with your hands or different modifications needed to rock climb, or to paddle a kayak. Yes, we provide all of the adaptive equipment necessary to take part. Sometimes, people choose that they don’t want to participate in the program but they just want to just borrow--through our equipment loan program--a piece of equipment that they might decide to go ahead and purchase on their own but before doing so they want to try some different pieces to make an educated purchase. Like you said, it’s many things--specialized wheelchairs that you might play on a court surface are different than the chair that you would use for your primary mobility. Not everybody has it in their budget to buy a second wheelchair to play in, so we make that happen.
Melanie: Tell us a story about someone that has impacted you, because what wonderful work you are doing. Give us a little hope. Tell us a story.
Eric: I have been a part of this industry for 22 years and I’m privileged and proud and honored to be a part of it. Every day, there are stories that either I or team members get to share in. A particular instance, I guess it has been eight or nine years ago now, there was a father of an individual came to me that said, “I coach hockey and my older son is playing. One of my younger sons has spina bifida and unable to take part because of his physical disability. We understand that you have some specialized skates that you sit down in. We would like to see if this might work for our son or daughter.” That particular individual we helped out that day. I made that skate available and this individual has gone on to great strides in his sled hockey career and is now taking part in the Minnesota Wild Sled Hockey Program. We don’t offer sled hockey per se, but we have skates available. We help reduce a barrier to participation, not only for the individual, but for the family. Not only was it something that happened immediately, but the success was that he went on to compete at a high level and still competes today. We have a number of those stories. We try to get to people early. We want to set the tone at 5, 6 and 7 and not waiting until they are 14 because people start to set patterns of behavior of active living early and often. If we can get to them to help them choose that path early, we’re more apt to see engaged, healthy, fit teenagers. That’s one story but there are literally hundreds of them.
Melanie: How cool are you? How can people find out more information about the adaptive sports program?
Eric: I think the best way – I don’t know how cool I am – but I try to have a lot of fun in my life and in my work. We’re excited to be able to provide the work that we do. Allinahealth.org/adaptivesports is a great way to find out programming that is happening in north eastern Minnesota, north western Wisconsin and in addition to our Twin Cities locations. That’s one way and probably the most effective way. Certainly a phone call to myself 218-726-4762, Ext. 4 is another option. On-line is probably where you can see all of the opportunities available there on our website.
Melanie: Thank you, Eric. It’s such great information. We applaud all of the great work that you are doing. For more information on adaptive sports through Allina you can go to AllinaHealth.org/adapativesports and see all that they have to offer. You’re listening to The WELLcast with Allina Health. You can go to AllinaHealth.org for more information. This is Melanie Cole. Thanks so much for listening.
Benefits of Adaptive Sports for Kids With Disabilities
Melanie Cole (Host): Keeping kids fit, active and healthy are just a few of the benefits of participating in team sports, but it is no different for kids who aren’t able to participate on school or community teams because of a physical disability, vision loss or because they are on the autism spectrum. My guest today is Eric Larson. He is the supervisor in the Sports and Recreation Department at The Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. Welcome to the show, Eric. Tell us about The Courage Kenny and what it has to offer for adaptive sports and recreation.
Eric Larson (Guest): Good morning. For over 35 years, Courage Kenny has offered a whole host of seasonal, recreational and competitive sports opportunities for kids and adults and folks of ages that have a physical disability. Our goal, really, is encouraging active living, encouraging participation and now allowing a disability or a functional limitation to impede someone’s participation in sport or their activity of choice.
Melanie: What are you doing with kids at Courage Kenny that gets them involved and makes them feel as if they are part of a team?
Eric: Essentially, we provide a year round opportunity - seasonal recreational and/or sports opportunities. We provide high level competition to just come on out and to try it. Wheelchair sports are something that our program has been known of for a number of years. We’ve hosted national competitions and we’ve sent teams to super high level competitions and have won those. But, we are also just really trying to get folks to realize that there is a super benefit to being active and not using their disability as a reason to sit on the sidelines. Providing seasonal-based recreational opportunities for people to choose how they get involved in the community and participate in sport is really what our goal is.
Melanie: Are there some kids that don’t want to participate in team sports? They are wanting to do individual things? How do you work with those kids?
Eric: Absolutely. A fundamental principle of leisure and recreation and in living independently is to be able to choose. Choice is a cornerstone of recreational participation and/or sport participation. We want people to explore different sports and/or recreational opportunities. We do that through one-day events and specialized opportunities for people to come out and try a piece of equipment – so to speak – whether it’s a hand cycle that you peddle with your hands or a ski that you sit down in. We are really trying to meet people where they are and sometimes an introductory or a discovery activity turns into “Hey, I’d like to get involved in a team” or “I’d like to get involved in this on a more regular basis.” So, whether it’s team sports or recreational participation we have the tools and the expertise to get people pointed in the direction of living an active lifestyle.
Melanie: Give us some examples of some kinds of adaptive sports that you work with kids on.
Eric: As far as our wheelchair sports program, we certainly have one of the most robust wheelchair basketball programs in the country. We have a power wheelchair soccer program which is the game of soccer played from a power wheelchair using a larger ball. We have a track and field program. We have archery. We have a competitive swimming program. Downhill skiing is probably the hood ornament to our program. It is the one that is the largest and requires the most input in really getting people exposed to something that, in a lot of cases, people feel is a big barrier and that’s outdoor recreation participation in the winter here in Minnesota. Those are some examples. We really have about 18 different weekly programs for folks to choose from throughout the year. It is supported by volunteers. We have volunteers that come from all aspects of the community that contribute their time and expertise in order to remove those barriers for participation.
Melanie: I understand you even offer rock climbing now.
Eric: Absolutely. Rock climbing is one of our newer opportunities. It can have a competitive aspect, but, really, there is a lot of physical functional benefit to that activity. It really is less of a team sport and more of an individualized sport. Of course, you want to provide those opportunities for people that don’t want to be a part of a team to take part in something. Typically, we offer that six to eight weeks in the spring and then in the fall. Working one to one with individuals--there is a group of kids that show up and then get splintered out into working with an individual that has a lot of background in rock climbing that coaches them through how to progress through the sport. It is a great, exciting opportunity for, more or less, kids at this point. Some of the children that are taking part are more ambulatory and, perhaps, have an autism spectrum diagnosis or have some other physical disability. Great program.
Melanie: Adaptive sports can be quite expensive – as can any sport participation. For parents, it can be quite expensive, but I would think adaptive sports even a little bit more so. Do people have to provide their own equipment?
Eric: That is one of the areas that we work hard to remove that barrier to participation. You are absolutely correct. Some of the equipment that we use is very specialized and very expensive. We provide the equipment. We provide the necessary adaptive equipment for people to take part in, whether it is a specialized ski or bicycle that you peddle with your hands or different modifications needed to rock climb, or to paddle a kayak. Yes, we provide all of the adaptive equipment necessary to take part. Sometimes, people choose that they don’t want to participate in the program but they just want to just borrow--through our equipment loan program--a piece of equipment that they might decide to go ahead and purchase on their own but before doing so they want to try some different pieces to make an educated purchase. Like you said, it’s many things--specialized wheelchairs that you might play on a court surface are different than the chair that you would use for your primary mobility. Not everybody has it in their budget to buy a second wheelchair to play in, so we make that happen.
Melanie: Tell us a story about someone that has impacted you, because what wonderful work you are doing. Give us a little hope. Tell us a story.
Eric: I have been a part of this industry for 22 years and I’m privileged and proud and honored to be a part of it. Every day, there are stories that either I or team members get to share in. A particular instance, I guess it has been eight or nine years ago now, there was a father of an individual came to me that said, “I coach hockey and my older son is playing. One of my younger sons has spina bifida and unable to take part because of his physical disability. We understand that you have some specialized skates that you sit down in. We would like to see if this might work for our son or daughter.” That particular individual we helped out that day. I made that skate available and this individual has gone on to great strides in his sled hockey career and is now taking part in the Minnesota Wild Sled Hockey Program. We don’t offer sled hockey per se, but we have skates available. We help reduce a barrier to participation, not only for the individual, but for the family. Not only was it something that happened immediately, but the success was that he went on to compete at a high level and still competes today. We have a number of those stories. We try to get to people early. We want to set the tone at 5, 6 and 7 and not waiting until they are 14 because people start to set patterns of behavior of active living early and often. If we can get to them to help them choose that path early, we’re more apt to see engaged, healthy, fit teenagers. That’s one story but there are literally hundreds of them.
Melanie: How cool are you? How can people find out more information about the adaptive sports program?
Eric: I think the best way – I don’t know how cool I am – but I try to have a lot of fun in my life and in my work. We’re excited to be able to provide the work that we do. Allinahealth.org/adaptivesports is a great way to find out programming that is happening in north eastern Minnesota, north western Wisconsin and in addition to our Twin Cities locations. That’s one way and probably the most effective way. Certainly a phone call to myself 218-726-4762, Ext. 4 is another option. On-line is probably where you can see all of the opportunities available there on our website.
Melanie: Thank you, Eric. It’s such great information. We applaud all of the great work that you are doing. For more information on adaptive sports through Allina you can go to AllinaHealth.org/adapativesports and see all that they have to offer. You’re listening to The WELLcast with Allina Health. You can go to AllinaHealth.org for more information. This is Melanie Cole. Thanks so much for listening.