serious play: the importance of a meaningful life after a catastrophic injury
TRANSCRIPT
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
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 [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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- [email protected]
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…