serious play: the importance of a meaningful life after a catastrophic injury

Speaker: Joanne Finegan, MSA, CTRS CEO, ReMed

NRH/ReMed Joint ConferenceOctober 27, 2011

Serious Play:The Importance of a Meaningful Life After a Catastrophic Injury

FACTS…from the World Health

Organization (WHO) Report on Disability

Disability is part of the human condition. Almost everyone will be temporarily or permanently impaired at some point in life, and those who survive to old age will experience increasing difficulties in functioning.

How are the lives of people with disabilities

affected?• They have poor

health outcomes.• They have lower

educational achievements.

• They are less economically active.

• They experience higher rates of poverty.

• They cannot always live independently or participate fully in community activities.

WHO Report on Disability

Understanding Disability

Health (medical) Conditions

• Diseases

• Injuries

• Disorders

Social Conditions

• Attitudinal

• Environmental

• Lack of Opportunities

Rehabilitation and Education can pave the way for a more fulfilling

LIFE

“PLAY” Defined

What does good ‘ole Webster have to say:1 a: to engage in sport or recreation: FROLIC

2 a: to take advantage c: to move or function freely within prescribed limits4 a: to engage or take part in a game b: to engage or occupy oneself

Synonyms: dalliance, frolic, fun, fun and games, recreation, relaxation, rollicking, sport

What Then Is Serious PLAY?

Someone Who “PLAYS” with Intent and with Variety that Includes:

• Physical • Intellectual• Social• Emotional• Spiritual

Do We Still “PLAY” as Adults?

Should “PLAY” End After a Catastrophic Injury?

Pre- Brain Tumor Post

President Harry S. Truman with the Bowlers Victory Legion (now called Bowlers to Veterans Link) winners at the Whitehouse

Bowling Lanes

"BVL holds the distinction of being the only national sports organization specifically devoted to providing therapeutic and recreational therapy for our veterans. These "extras" are essential to the social and psychological rehabilitation of these men and women." http://www.bowlforveterans.org

Think DIFFERENT

We need to challenge people to think BEYOND their Disabilities, this is how

successful outcomes occur

Each of Us Want Lives Where We:

are supported by & contribute to our communities

Have our own dreams and our own journeys

Have opportunities to meet new people; try new things; change

jobs; change who we live with & where we live

Have what/who is important to us in everyday life; people to be

with; things to do, places to be

Stay healthy & safe (On our own terms)

(with apologies to Abraham Maslow)

Michael Smull

Outcomes

KEY outcomes of Recreational Therapy in rehabilitation are:– Effective re-entry into the community

with or without supports– Opportunities for socialization and

development of friends– Stable activity pattern

– Finding Meaning, Purpose and FUN!!!

Where To Begin??

What We Do Reflects Who We Are…

How Do We Really Spend Our Time?

Source: Csikszentmihalyi

and Graef 1980• Productive Activities 24-60%– Working or Studying

• Maintenance Activities 20-42%– Housework– Eating– Grooming– Driving, transportation

• Leisure Activities 20-43%– TV and reading– Hobbies, sports, movies, restaurants– Talking and socializing– Idling, resting

Getting Started

• Interest Inventory-Interests/passions?-Motivators?-Goals?-What did the person like or spend time doing before?

• Brainstorming Process-What resources are available in my community?-Ask widely - Support groups, former therapists, physicians, family, friends, work colleagues, church and other community people…

“I don’t have to worry about my disability or being treated

differently out here” Jason

Our quality of life everyday is determined by the presence or

absence of things that are important to us – our choices,

our rituals.

M. Smull, 1996

Can Recreation Change Lives, Add Value, Decrease Costs???

Other Outcomes: Health Outcomes From Exercise, Fitness

and Relaxation• An improvement in physical health status• Reduction in complications related to

secondary disability• An improvement in long term health status

and reduction in disease risk factors• An improvement in cognitive functioning• A reduction in reliance on the health care

system

“It feels so good to finally be able to do stuff

again…”

Carter, Van Andel, and Robb Therapeutic Recreation: A Practical Approach

One way to ensure lives are improved is by enhancing

personal wellbeing through involvement in leisure

activities.

community resources and experiences give individuals the

opportunity to enhance their activity plan, quality of life, and

improve/practice their skills

Inclusive Recreation Is:• Having the same choices and

opportunities in recreation activities that other people have.

• Being accepted and appreciated for who you are.

• Being with friends who share your interests, not your disability.

• Being a valued customer and a welcomed participant in community recreation programs regardless of ability levels.

Options and Opportunities in the

Home and Community

The List is Endless.

What’s Out There• Parks• Community Centers• Churches• Senior Centers and

Services• Chamber of

Commerce• Educational

Institutions – schools, community colleges, universities…

• YMCA/YWCA• Fitness Clubs• Community Calendar

• Support Groups • Meals on Wheels • Shelters• Club Houses or

Sports/Activity Centers• Malls• Art Center• Library• Nature Centers• Museums• SPCA and animal

shelters

What’s Out There

• Equestrian Programs• AA/NA…• Adult Ed/Night School• Senior Living

settings• Township or

community programs• VA and other hospitals• Learn To Swing Golf

clinics and other sports instruction

• Online connections and social groups i.e. “Meet Up”, Facebook, blogging…

• Clubs – biking, hiking, horticulture

• Wii• Brain Games and other

online resources• Yoga, massage,

meditation

What’s Out There

• Carnivals and Fairs• Amusement Parks• Bingo Tournaments• Board and card

games• Camps• Volunteering • Walking, Jogging• Other exercise

• Yard work• Starbucks or local

coffee shop• Movies• Community

gardening• Concerts• Sporting events• Programs offered

by local hospitals, rehabs

What’s Out There

• Singles Groups• Family events• Nightclubs and

Dancing• Reading• Cooking classes• Spectator events• Fishing

• Bowling• Craft groups and

classes• Other Hobby groups

and classes• TBI specific

groups and events

• Brain Injury associations

• Blue Pages

There is no Magic Bullet or Solution, Just Lots of

Experiences to See What Fits

Examples of Meaningful Engagement

Volunteer Opportunities

• Senior Centers/Retirement Communities-Bingo, board games, cards -Socializing with residents-Doing nails-Reading newspapers/current events-Writing/reading letters for residents-Kitchen work/serving lunch

• Hospitals• Camps/summer programs• Township/community programs

Special Interest Organizations

• Food Pantry-restocking shelves, packing bags

• Churches-Special programs and events-Administrative-Ushers

• Fundraising Organizations– ALS – American Cancer Society– Diabetes

Support Groups

Wayne Art CenterWayne, PA

Arts for The Mind:Painting & Ceramics for Persons with

All Disabilitiesinfo@wayneart.org

www.vsarts.org

National Sports Center for the Disabled Courage, Strength and Determination

www.nscd.org

www.k94life.org

America the BeautifulThe National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm

National Capital - Washington DC, DE, MDDavid Folkerts, Regional Coordinator david.folkerts@projecthealingwaters.org

Three Rivers Adaptive SportsWestern PA

www.traspa.org

Everyone Can Dance!!!www.americandancewheels.org

www.eaga.org

Resources for the Disabled Hunter and Outdoorsman • Helping those with disabilities

make life in the Great Outdoors accessible

http://followmeoutdoors.com

Additional Resources

What is Rails-to-Trails?The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy was established in 1985 as a national non-profit

charity with its mission to enhance America’s communities and countryside by converting thousands of miles of abandoned rail lines into a national system of public

trails. So far, nearly 7,000 miles of interconnected rail-trails have been converted. In

addition to hiking trails, some trails have been designated for other uses such as bicycling, skiing, or snowmobiling.

Rail-trails are safe, easily accessible and many times very scenic. For a guide to the system write to: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, The Duke Ellington Building 2121 Ward

Ct., NW 5th Floor Washington, DC 20037

Visit Rails-to-Trails for more information.

An Adult Education ProgramE-mail: kmackenzie@remed.com

www.disabled-world.comFree Federal Parks and

Recreation Access Pass

http://www.usga.org/rules/disabilities/Rules-for-Golfers-with-Disabilities/

Parade.com/braingames

Brain Training Gamespublished: 09/22/2009

Share139                      

Lost in MigrationGet distracted too easily? Then this is the game for you! Focus on the center bird without letting

the other birds distract you.                      Word Bubble

Our most popular game! Come up with as many words as you can that begin with the three

letters provided.                      

Memory MatrixChallenge yourself to remember patterns that

grow bigger and more complex as you improve.                      Speed Match

Feeling like your reaction time could use some improvement? Race against the clock and put

your reaction speed to the test.

Cafe Plus

open every Saturday afternoon from 12 to 4. There's coffee, bagels, ice tea, popcorn, conversation, and much more!

What makes it different? Simple. It's run by and for head-injured people. Of course friends, family members, and professionals are always welcome

too.Try your hand at :

Meeting new people and making friends Playing cards, checkers, or other games with cool people

Listening to music Watching a movie

Playing computer games or surf the Internet Join an exciting writing group

CLUBHOUSES

Other Stuff

Target offers free and reduced-price events across the country.  If you go to the Community Outreach area of the Target website, you can select a city and see what

programs are available in your area.  In Washington, DC, for example, they have free or reduced prices to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

TARGET

From project basics to giving your child the opportunity to say, "I built it!", our Build and Grow kid's clinics are a great way to help build confidence! Bring the kids into any Lowe's store and build a FREE wooden project. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.

More Other Stuff

• www.factorytoursusa.comThis website lists free or low cost tours to a variety of interesting factories across the US.

• www.kidsbowlfree.comThis website lists bowling alleys that offer 2 free games to kids most weekday mornings.

• www.regmovies.comFree movies for kids on Tues and Wed mornings

PA Adaptive Recreation Resources

• Blue Ridge Adaptive Snow Sports (BRASS)- offers ski and snowboard instruction for people with disabilities at Ski Liberty in Carroll Valley, PAP.O. Box 1414, Severna Park, MD 21146 www.brasski.org717-642-8282, ext. 3479

• Two Tops Mountain Adaptive Sports Foundation- Provide adaptive snow skiing opportunities for people with disabilities at Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg, PA.675 Mower Rd. Chambersburg, PA 17240Email- twotopadaptive@yahoo.com717-507-7668

more, Pennsylvania Adaptive

Recreation Resources

• Three Rivers Adaptive Sports (TRAS)- promotes quality of life, education and to provide quality year-round sports and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities, their families and friends

PO Box 38235 Pittsburgh, PA 15238www.traspa.org412-848-8896

Maryland Adapted Recreation Resources

• Baltimore Adapted Recreation and Sports (BARS)-is a community based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing year round recreational opportunities to both children and adults with disabilities. Among other activities BARS offers an adaptive snow ski program at Ski Roundtop in Lewisberry, PAP.O. Box 878 Sparks, Maryland 21152www.barsinfo.org410-771-4606

National Recreation and Leisure Resources

• NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association)- changes lives by promoting excellence in equine assisted activities. Lists 24 NAHRA Centers in Pennsylvania www.narha.org

National Center for Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD)- promotes substantial health benefits that can be gained from participating in regular physical activity. The slogan of NCPAD is Exercise is for EVERY body, and every person can gain some health benefit from being more physically active. www.ncpad.org

Run.

Walk.

Get inspired.

Get involved.

Make a new friend.

Make a difference.

Take the first step.

Join the Race.

Key Lesson from Mark Ylvisaker, PhD

“In the absence of meaningful engagement in chosen life activities, all interventions will ultimately fail”

The End

Questions and Comments

THANK YOU!!

and “PLAY” on…