Posted on September 30, 2013
Rec Therapy Clinics held throughout entire year (Part 1)
Editor’s Note: Christy is a Mary Free Bed therapist who agreed to write a guest blog on her role working with sports clinics throughout the year. Part 1 of 2.
My name is Christy VanHaver. I am a Recreational Therapist for the Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Department. My role as the clinic coordinator gives me the wonderful opportunity to plan and carryout many adaptive sports clinics throughout the year.
The first clinic we have in January is the Adaptive Downhill Ski Clinic. This clinic is held at Canonsburg Ski Resort in partnership with Kentwood Parks and Recreation and Canonsburg Challenged Ski Association. Participants have the opportunity to have a 1:1 or 2:1 lesson (ratio depending on the equipment and level of assistance needed). The clinic is an opportunity to trial adaptive downhill skiing for the first time. If our participants are interested in further lessons they can sign up with CCSA http://skiccsa.org/.
The second clinic we have, usually one in the spring and one in the fall, is our Adaptive Rock Climbing Clinic. This clinic, in partnership with Kentwood Parks and Recreation, is held at Higher Ground Climbing Center. We give the participants the opportunity to experience the physical and cognitive challenge rock climbing offers and the thrill of success as they ring the bell at the top of the wall!
This year we held a New Adaptive Camping Clinic in partnership with Kentwood Parks and Recreation. Part I was held at Clock Mobility. We had two former Mary Free Bed patients bring the equipment they use to camp. They provided an orientation to their camping process and allowed participants to tour their equipment for a hands on learning opportunity. Part II was intended to give participants the opportunity to take their new found knowledge of adapted camping and go camping with the support of Recreational Therapy staff. The event was cancelled due to small registration numbers. We plan to try this clinic again at another time to try to recruit more interest.
