Prolonged Absence Unexcused

As my close friends know, Andrew has been overwhelmed with additional back surgeries and a nasty bone infection since last November (my last posting). Sorry for the prolonged absence, but life has taken a few unexpected (and time-consuming) turns. Hello 2011. Will try to more frequently come out from all the snow and ice and relay interesting and/or informative news to you on the subject at hand. Here goes...

Good people do great things. Recently, an amazing young man named Hans Smith opened doors so people with physical limitations can access the joy and fun of video games. Our 14 year old, and his older brother, as well, are keen to try this out. If only I hadn't taken the video games away so everyone would read more! Hmmm...guess I better get on that.

Let us know if you're familiar with other news of this kind. It always warms my heart to see and hear about the strides folks are making to help make recreation and entertainment enjoyable for ALL.

Now, play ball!

Recreation for all Abilities

As Cyndi Lauper says, "Girls just want to have fun!"   Boys, too.  And we all know that's harder for some kids than others.  Finding physical activities in which our children can participate and excel in is tough, but there are all kinds of places available to help us.  Here are some good starting points:

Sailing -- Boston seems to have some great organizations committed to providing access to people with disabilities.  Andrew's Camp SFAH has adapted a small boat and uses it each summer.  Seating is key.  Kids love it.

Motor-boating -- We use a Tumbleforms chair to adapt our small Boston Whaler so Andrew can ride for hours and sit safely "strapped down." We bring the urinal so toileting is not an issue. We use a life vest with head support which he wears AT ALL TIMES.  He even goes tubing (very slowly) off the back in a round-rubberized model that enables an adult to assist.  Mom says, "Slow down!" Andrew yells, "Faster!"  Everyone loves that EVERYONE can participate.

Swimming -- Even with a good life vest specifically designed to keep his head up, Andrew cannot swim independently.  But we're working on it.  Special Olympics is a goal. Good aquatic therapists can help.  Great cardiovascular exercise especially.  Andrew has been going at least once a week (year round) since he was two.  Loves it.

Skiing -- We've been to Mt. Snow in Vermont and Crested Butte, CO. Most major resorts across the country have adaptive programs.  Mt. Snow even faxed Andrew's file to Crested Butte for us so they had all the equipment and instructional information when we arrived.  Fabulous. Recommend lots of hand and foot warmers, plus duct tape to help hold on to the bar/bi-ski. He loves it, but he gets really cold.  Lots of hot cocoa breaks!

Biking -- Freedom Concepts makes a great bike and I understand some organizations offer scholarships to help  pay for such things.  As he's gotten older, this has become something Andrew actually like to do more.  Unfortunately, it requires someone to walk/run behind him...so we can't use it for family rides.  Still looking for an affordable way to bring him along when the rest of us go out.  

Baseball -- Challenger leagues abound.  So many benefits to being on a "team." Andrew likes to drive his chair around the bases.  We prefer having able-bodied "buddies" push him in a manual chair.  They can also help him bat.  Several years ago, Andrew decided to stop playing so he could continue his theatre class on Saturday mornings.  We're okay with this, but it is great fun if you can make it work.

Jump-rope -- Wonderful with other able-bodied children.  We tie one end to his wrist and he can "turn" with a partner, while someone else jumps.  Instant inclusion!

Basketball -- We haven't tried it, but there are leagues for all abilities.  Andrew still enjoys playing "3-2-1 shoot" in the driveway.  A partner counts down "3-2-1" and then Andrew pushes the ball off his lap...it dribbles onto the pavement and the partner picks it up and shoots it.  If he/she scores, it's Andrew's point.  So much you can do with this, really.

Playgrounds -- Boundless Playgrounds rock!  Need I say more?

Wheelchair Races -- Now doesn't this look like fun?!?

What do you do to make sure your kids "get in the game?"