For 25 Years, Therapy on the Slopes
DREAM Adaptive gives recreation opportunities to people with disabilities
DREAM Adaptive Recreation volunteer Bob Zahller, center, helps guide Phillip Sotello into a turn while descending Big Mountain under Chair Six at Whitefish Mountain Resort as Ryan McCoy follows closely behind. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
By Myers Reece, 01-12-10
WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT – The therapy is in the snow. It’s on the mountains, in the base lodge and on the bus rides.
Once a week during winter, high school students with disabilities head to Whitefish Mountain Resort to ski, train for the Special Olympics and, above all, have a lot of fun. For many of them, it’s unlike any other experience of their lives.
Their ticket to the mountain is DREAM Adaptive Recreation Inc., an organization established in 1985 to give disabled children and adults access to recreational opportunities in the Flathead Valley. DREAM stands for “Disabled Recreation and Environmental Access Movement.”
“There’s a huge amount of emotional therapy involved in being able to finally go out and finally access these things,” said Bruce Gibson, DREAM’s program director.
Twenty-five years ago, a small group of Flathead residents set out to expand accessibility to both recreational locations and activities for people with special needs. This was five years before the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Among the earliest leaders of this forward-thinking group were Dottie Maitland, Larry Dominick, Dennis Jones and Jane Lopp. They collaborated with the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies to create Glacier National Park’s Trail of the Cedars, a hiking trail that is conducive to disabled access, with a paved portion and a boardwalk.
In addition, they worked on accessibility surveys, along with projects at Foys Lake and Woodland Park, Lopp said. And they created perhaps their most defining legacy, the ski program at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Lopp is pleased to see Gibson continuing and expanding upon DREAM’s vision.
“I’m so glad Bruce is doing all he’s doing,” Lopp said.
The kids who traveled up to Whitefish Mountain Resort last week attend Glacier and Flathead high schools. They represent only a percentage of the total population that DREAM serves. The organization works with roughly 200 people with disabilities each year, Gibson said, about two-thirds of whom are kids.
The nonprofit assists people of many different disabilities, both physical and cognitive. The list includes cerebral palsy, autism, muscle degeneration, Down syndrome, amputees, paraplegics and others. Gibson is the only full-time staff member. The rest are volunteers.
“We have people that can work with about anyone,” Gibson said. “It’s pretty much across the board.”
DREAM Adaptive differs somewhat from the Bozeman-based Eagle Mount program, mostly in the area of professional therapy. Eagle Mount is more therapy based, while DREAM is more recreation based, Gibson said. But Gibson points out: “Therapy comes from getting out and skiing.”
“They’re structured a little bit differently, but for the most part they’re doing the same thing,” Gibson said.
The nonprofit also started a summer program in 2009 with water skiing, tubing and kayaking at Echo Lake. The program will continue, and perhaps expand, in future summers, Gibson said.
The “adaptive” skiing movement started in Colorado in the late 1970s, Gibson said. It has grown exponentially since then. There are adaptive programs in countries such as New Zealand and France, as well as in other states, but Gibson said “almost everything adaptive comes out of Colorado.” DREAM’s program was modeled after one in Winter Park, Colo.
DREAM Adaptive doesn’t charge for any of its services. It relies on community donations, grants and a large fundraiser held each year on the Friday before Valentine’s Day. The event, scheduled for Feb. 12 at the Hilton Garden Inn this year, features live big band music, dancing, dinner and auctions – both live and silent.
Also, the organization negotiates a yearly agreement with Whitefish Mountain Resort. It receives an unlimited amount of lower chairlift tickets for its participants and a fixed amount for the higher lifts. Volunteers who don’t have season passes get free tickets. When their volunteer time is done each day, they are free to use the rest of the day to ski.
The resort also provides DREAM with senior ski instructors and storage space. The required equipment list for skiers with disabilities is fairly large, including both bi and mono sit-skis, outriggers, gadgets that can either help spread legs or keep skis together, and more.
“Sometimes we just invent something based on individual needs,” Gibson said.
Volunteers must be intermediate skiers or better. Beyond that, they need no prior experience, Gibson said. After signing up, they take a training session. Then they are paired with skiers, with the advanced volunteers taking on more difficult tasks like guiding sit-skiers.
Gibson said his organization also seeks “off-snow” volunteers. These volunteers help with tasks such as grant writing and preparing for fundraisers. Donations are always needed as well, he said.
Last week was Chuck Cassidy’s first day as a ski volunteer, though he has followed the DREAM program for years. His son, Mark, has been skiing since 2004 and was one of the more accomplished skiers on the mountain on Jan. 7, if not the most enthusiastic. The gregarious 18-year-old Cassidy, a senior at Glacier High who has a learning disability, begins preparing for ski days a week ahead of time, his father said.
Cassidy, who saw many different school systems in his travels with the Navy, said the Kalispell school district has the best recreational program for kids with disabilities that he has seen. The district’s collaboration with DREAM is just one example, he said. There are also opportunities for activities such as softball, bocce, track and basketball.
“It’s really an awesome program,” Cassidy said. “The valley should be proud.”
Of the 13 high school students who skied last week, 12 were from Glacier and one was from Flathead, said Jodie McGough, who is the special education instructor at Glacier. A few of the regulars didn’t make the trip because of the cold.
The students ski with DREAM eight days per year to train for the Special Olympics, said Jenny Griswold, who teaches at Glacier and runs the Special Olympics program there.
“A lot of our kids never even have a chance to go fast in their lives,” Griswold said. “That’s why we’re up here when it’s 10 below.”
She added: “DREAM is the only way we have access to this.”
For more information on DREAM Adaptive Recreation Inc., and how to contribute, call (406) 862-1817, e-mail at dreamadaptive@yahoo.comor mail to P.O. Box 4084, Whitefish, MT 59937.
DREAM Adaptive Recreation volunteer Bob Zahller, center, helps guide Phillip Sotello into a turn while descending Big Mountain under Chair Six at Whitefish Mountain Resort as Ryan McCoy follows closely behind. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon
By Myers Reece, 01-12-10
WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT – The therapy is in the snow. It’s on the mountains, in the base lodge and on the bus rides.
Once a week during winter, high school students with disabilities head to Whitefish Mountain Resort to ski, train for the Special Olympics and, above all, have a lot of fun. For many of them, it’s unlike any other experience of their lives.
Their ticket to the mountain is DREAM Adaptive Recreation Inc., an organization established in 1985 to give disabled children and adults access to recreational opportunities in the Flathead Valley. DREAM stands for “Disabled Recreation and Environmental Access Movement.”
“There’s a huge amount of emotional therapy involved in being able to finally go out and finally access these things,” said Bruce Gibson, DREAM’s program director.
Twenty-five years ago, a small group of Flathead residents set out to expand accessibility to both recreational locations and activities for people with special needs. This was five years before the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Among the earliest leaders of this forward-thinking group were Dottie Maitland, Larry Dominick, Dennis Jones and Jane Lopp. They collaborated with the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies to create Glacier National Park’s Trail of the Cedars, a hiking trail that is conducive to disabled access, with a paved portion and a boardwalk.
In addition, they worked on accessibility surveys, along with projects at Foys Lake and Woodland Park, Lopp said. And they created perhaps their most defining legacy, the ski program at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Lopp is pleased to see Gibson continuing and expanding upon DREAM’s vision.
“I’m so glad Bruce is doing all he’s doing,” Lopp said.
The kids who traveled up to Whitefish Mountain Resort last week attend Glacier and Flathead high schools. They represent only a percentage of the total population that DREAM serves. The organization works with roughly 200 people with disabilities each year, Gibson said, about two-thirds of whom are kids.
The nonprofit assists people of many different disabilities, both physical and cognitive. The list includes cerebral palsy, autism, muscle degeneration, Down syndrome, amputees, paraplegics and others. Gibson is the only full-time staff member. The rest are volunteers.
“We have people that can work with about anyone,” Gibson said. “It’s pretty much across the board.”
DREAM Adaptive differs somewhat from the Bozeman-based Eagle Mount program, mostly in the area of professional therapy. Eagle Mount is more therapy based, while DREAM is more recreation based, Gibson said. But Gibson points out: “Therapy comes from getting out and skiing.”
“They’re structured a little bit differently, but for the most part they’re doing the same thing,” Gibson said.
The nonprofit also started a summer program in 2009 with water skiing, tubing and kayaking at Echo Lake. The program will continue, and perhaps expand, in future summers, Gibson said.
The “adaptive” skiing movement started in Colorado in the late 1970s, Gibson said. It has grown exponentially since then. There are adaptive programs in countries such as New Zealand and France, as well as in other states, but Gibson said “almost everything adaptive comes out of Colorado.” DREAM’s program was modeled after one in Winter Park, Colo.
DREAM Adaptive doesn’t charge for any of its services. It relies on community donations, grants and a large fundraiser held each year on the Friday before Valentine’s Day. The event, scheduled for Feb. 12 at the Hilton Garden Inn this year, features live big band music, dancing, dinner and auctions – both live and silent.
Also, the organization negotiates a yearly agreement with Whitefish Mountain Resort. It receives an unlimited amount of lower chairlift tickets for its participants and a fixed amount for the higher lifts. Volunteers who don’t have season passes get free tickets. When their volunteer time is done each day, they are free to use the rest of the day to ski.
The resort also provides DREAM with senior ski instructors and storage space. The required equipment list for skiers with disabilities is fairly large, including both bi and mono sit-skis, outriggers, gadgets that can either help spread legs or keep skis together, and more.
“Sometimes we just invent something based on individual needs,” Gibson said.
Volunteers must be intermediate skiers or better. Beyond that, they need no prior experience, Gibson said. After signing up, they take a training session. Then they are paired with skiers, with the advanced volunteers taking on more difficult tasks like guiding sit-skiers.
Gibson said his organization also seeks “off-snow” volunteers. These volunteers help with tasks such as grant writing and preparing for fundraisers. Donations are always needed as well, he said.
Last week was Chuck Cassidy’s first day as a ski volunteer, though he has followed the DREAM program for years. His son, Mark, has been skiing since 2004 and was one of the more accomplished skiers on the mountain on Jan. 7, if not the most enthusiastic. The gregarious 18-year-old Cassidy, a senior at Glacier High who has a learning disability, begins preparing for ski days a week ahead of time, his father said.
Cassidy, who saw many different school systems in his travels with the Navy, said the Kalispell school district has the best recreational program for kids with disabilities that he has seen. The district’s collaboration with DREAM is just one example, he said. There are also opportunities for activities such as softball, bocce, track and basketball.
“It’s really an awesome program,” Cassidy said. “The valley should be proud.”
Of the 13 high school students who skied last week, 12 were from Glacier and one was from Flathead, said Jodie McGough, who is the special education instructor at Glacier. A few of the regulars didn’t make the trip because of the cold.
The students ski with DREAM eight days per year to train for the Special Olympics, said Jenny Griswold, who teaches at Glacier and runs the Special Olympics program there.
“A lot of our kids never even have a chance to go fast in their lives,” Griswold said. “That’s why we’re up here when it’s 10 below.”
She added: “DREAM is the only way we have access to this.”
For more information on DREAM Adaptive Recreation Inc., and how to contribute, call (406) 862-1817, e-mail at dreamadaptive@yahoo.comor mail to P.O. Box 4084, Whitefish, MT 59937.
Labels: disabilities, skiing, Therapy
10 January 2010
Yoga Practice Enhances Life with Disability
Monica J. Foster
BellaOnline's Disabilities Editor
Yoga, an ancient Indian practice which involves moving the body and training the mind to achieve balance and well-being, can be beneficial for individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions through both physical postures, meditative visualizations and breathwork. It is an Eastern form of relaxation and exercise that has become increasingly popular in various forms here in the West.
If you are not comfortable with yoga, explore other mind and body-linked practices such as meditation or Tai Chi. The most important thing is to begin connecting your mind and body in whatever way works best for you and your disability's challenges.
As for yoga, each pose can be modified or adapted to meet the needs of the student. Yoga postures can be performed while seated in a chair or wheelchair. Look up yoga studios and practitioners in your area, as well as call your rehabilitation centers to see if they incorporate yoga in their work. You might be surprised what's out there for you.
Having mentioned the benefits of yoga practice, it should be noted that yoga is used to complement an individual's already established medical care, therapy program and exercise regime. Yoga should not be a replacement for any of these things and a doctor should be consulted before pursuing a yoga practice.
The overall health perks that can be gained include:
•Digestive system - Bending and stretching poses help move and stimulate the digestive system
•Cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary systems - Specific types of yoga can be a good form of aerobic exercise that increases one's heart rate. The practice of pranayama helps expand lung capacity and heart strength.
•Lymphatic system - This is a primary component of an individual's immune system. It relies on muscle activity and body movement for circulation.
Physical activity and stretching develops strong muscles that continually encourage lymph movement. Regular practice stimulates the lungs, diaphragm, and thorax.
•Skeletal system and muscular systems - Various postures encourage the individual to keep his or her body in proper alignment. Regular yoga practice strengthens the muscles and increases flexibility.
There are also various developmental benefits as well. They may include:
•Developmental milestones being are reached.
•Enhanced motor skills.
•Increased body awareness and orientation.
•Sharper focus and concentration.
•Encouragement of learning, creativity and imagination.
A welcome advantage to yoga practice is that it does not require any fancy equipment. Yoga can be practiced indoors, outdoors on the grass, or even on sand at the beach. Typically, a yoga mat or rug is used. Latex-free and eco-friendly mats are also available for folks like myself who have spina bifida and are more sensitive to latex. Yoga props such as blocks and straps aid in practicing postures safely, as well as help the individual go deeper into a pose. An eye pillow and a light blanket can be used during deep relaxation.
Your development as a self-aware individual with a disability and the growth of your caregiver (both professional and personal) are intertwined on a very deep level. Mind-body work such as yoga promotes the best outcomes for everyone involved. Yoga practice emphasizes the role of both the individual with a disability or chronic illness and the caregiver or loved one in the healing process. Also, it enhances your bond and mission to working together for one purpose -- your overall well-being.
Yoga creates an inner capacity for survival, grace, and acceptance, no matter the circumstance of your disability or chronic illness. Whether you are new to your disability as an injured veteran, born with your disability or are a parent wanting to establish a deeper relationship with your child who has special needs, yoga goes beyond the body to the heart and spirit's connections to each other forming the whole person. The practice, when kept constant, builds discipline, stamina, focus and patience in those who take on this mode of mind-body connection.
BellaOnline's Disabilities Editor
Yoga, an ancient Indian practice which involves moving the body and training the mind to achieve balance and well-being, can be beneficial for individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions through both physical postures, meditative visualizations and breathwork. It is an Eastern form of relaxation and exercise that has become increasingly popular in various forms here in the West.
If you are not comfortable with yoga, explore other mind and body-linked practices such as meditation or Tai Chi. The most important thing is to begin connecting your mind and body in whatever way works best for you and your disability's challenges.
As for yoga, each pose can be modified or adapted to meet the needs of the student. Yoga postures can be performed while seated in a chair or wheelchair. Look up yoga studios and practitioners in your area, as well as call your rehabilitation centers to see if they incorporate yoga in their work. You might be surprised what's out there for you.
Having mentioned the benefits of yoga practice, it should be noted that yoga is used to complement an individual's already established medical care, therapy program and exercise regime. Yoga should not be a replacement for any of these things and a doctor should be consulted before pursuing a yoga practice.
The overall health perks that can be gained include:
•Digestive system - Bending and stretching poses help move and stimulate the digestive system
•Cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary systems - Specific types of yoga can be a good form of aerobic exercise that increases one's heart rate. The practice of pranayama helps expand lung capacity and heart strength.
•Lymphatic system - This is a primary component of an individual's immune system. It relies on muscle activity and body movement for circulation.
Physical activity and stretching develops strong muscles that continually encourage lymph movement. Regular practice stimulates the lungs, diaphragm, and thorax.
•Skeletal system and muscular systems - Various postures encourage the individual to keep his or her body in proper alignment. Regular yoga practice strengthens the muscles and increases flexibility.
There are also various developmental benefits as well. They may include:
•Developmental milestones being are reached.
•Enhanced motor skills.
•Increased body awareness and orientation.
•Sharper focus and concentration.
•Encouragement of learning, creativity and imagination.
A welcome advantage to yoga practice is that it does not require any fancy equipment. Yoga can be practiced indoors, outdoors on the grass, or even on sand at the beach. Typically, a yoga mat or rug is used. Latex-free and eco-friendly mats are also available for folks like myself who have spina bifida and are more sensitive to latex. Yoga props such as blocks and straps aid in practicing postures safely, as well as help the individual go deeper into a pose. An eye pillow and a light blanket can be used during deep relaxation.
Your development as a self-aware individual with a disability and the growth of your caregiver (both professional and personal) are intertwined on a very deep level. Mind-body work such as yoga promotes the best outcomes for everyone involved. Yoga practice emphasizes the role of both the individual with a disability or chronic illness and the caregiver or loved one in the healing process. Also, it enhances your bond and mission to working together for one purpose -- your overall well-being.
Yoga creates an inner capacity for survival, grace, and acceptance, no matter the circumstance of your disability or chronic illness. Whether you are new to your disability as an injured veteran, born with your disability or are a parent wanting to establish a deeper relationship with your child who has special needs, yoga goes beyond the body to the heart and spirit's connections to each other forming the whole person. The practice, when kept constant, builds discipline, stamina, focus and patience in those who take on this mode of mind-body connection.
Labels: Disability, Therapy, yoga
28 December 2009
Using Wii As Therapy
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05 November 2009
Danielle’s Foundation Empowers Special Needs Families with Free Book
Growing non-profit devoted to helping families of children with cerebral palsy and brain injury commits to mission of informing and supporting parents
PHILADELPHIA—Danielle’s Foundation, a growing non-profit organization dedicated to helping parents of children with cerebral palsy and brain injury, announces the publication of its new book, Getting the Therapy, Benefits, and Resources Your Child Needs: A Guide for Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Brain Injury.
Authored by Richard P. Console Jr., one of the volunteers at Danielle’s Foundation, the book was written to help parents navigate the complexities and challenges associated with successfully raising children with brain injury and cerebral palsy.
The comprehensive, 176-page guide includes the following topics:
• Understanding your child’s diagnosis, and what it means for the future
• Funding your child’s care
• Securing effective and cutting-edge therapies
• Negotiating successfully with your insurance company
• Demystifying the often confusing world of government benefits
• Ensuring your child receives the education he or she deserves
• Estate planning for families of special needs children
“My reasons for writing this book are personal,” said Console, who helped found Danielle’s Foundation in memory of Danielle Vick, the daughter of a friend who passed away in 2008 from complications associated with anoxic brain damage at just 4 years old. “While Danielle’s life was short, it was incredibly inspirational, and though she is no longer with us, we take comfort in knowing that we can make her legacy live on forever”.
Console said the purpose of the book is to educate and empower families of children with brain injury and cerebral palsy, so they can effectively advocate for their children. While he admits that families of special needs children face difficult challenges, he feels that with knowledge and education comes hope. “Every parent wants the best for their child, but getting the benefits their child needs is not always easy, and a lot of parents don’t know where to turn for help and support. We want Danielle’s Foundation to be that guiding light to which families can turn.”
“Getting the Therapy, Benefits, and Resources Your Child Needs: A Guide for Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Brain Injury” is FREE to parents who call Danielle’s Foundation today toll free at 1-800-208-3494.
Parents interested in learning more about Danielle’s Foundation, and the support and services it offers, may visit www.DaniellesFoundation.org for more information.
About Danielle’s Foundation
Danielle’s Foundation is a non-profit resource that is committed to helping families of children with cerebral palsy and brain injury gain the knowledge to secure the therapy, benefits, and resources their children need. It was created by a team of grassroots volunteers whose mission is to help parents navigate through the challenges and complexities that arise while caring for their children. Their website, www.daniellesfoundation.org, also offers hundreds of articles related to treatments and therapies, education, estate planning, and legal and financial issues. Join Danielle’s Foundation today to become a part of their support network, where parents can unite to share and exchange their knowledge to educate and empower each other via their online forum.
Contacts
Danielle’s Foundation
Kristin Testa
1-800-208-3494
press@daniellesfoundation.org
PHILADELPHIA—Danielle’s Foundation, a growing non-profit organization dedicated to helping parents of children with cerebral palsy and brain injury, announces the publication of its new book, Getting the Therapy, Benefits, and Resources Your Child Needs: A Guide for Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Brain Injury.
Authored by Richard P. Console Jr., one of the volunteers at Danielle’s Foundation, the book was written to help parents navigate the complexities and challenges associated with successfully raising children with brain injury and cerebral palsy.
The comprehensive, 176-page guide includes the following topics:
• Understanding your child’s diagnosis, and what it means for the future
• Funding your child’s care
• Securing effective and cutting-edge therapies
• Negotiating successfully with your insurance company
• Demystifying the often confusing world of government benefits
• Ensuring your child receives the education he or she deserves
• Estate planning for families of special needs children
“My reasons for writing this book are personal,” said Console, who helped found Danielle’s Foundation in memory of Danielle Vick, the daughter of a friend who passed away in 2008 from complications associated with anoxic brain damage at just 4 years old. “While Danielle’s life was short, it was incredibly inspirational, and though she is no longer with us, we take comfort in knowing that we can make her legacy live on forever”.
Console said the purpose of the book is to educate and empower families of children with brain injury and cerebral palsy, so they can effectively advocate for their children. While he admits that families of special needs children face difficult challenges, he feels that with knowledge and education comes hope. “Every parent wants the best for their child, but getting the benefits their child needs is not always easy, and a lot of parents don’t know where to turn for help and support. We want Danielle’s Foundation to be that guiding light to which families can turn.”
“Getting the Therapy, Benefits, and Resources Your Child Needs: A Guide for Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Brain Injury” is FREE to parents who call Danielle’s Foundation today toll free at 1-800-208-3494.
Parents interested in learning more about Danielle’s Foundation, and the support and services it offers, may visit www.DaniellesFoundation.org for more information.
About Danielle’s Foundation
Danielle’s Foundation is a non-profit resource that is committed to helping families of children with cerebral palsy and brain injury gain the knowledge to secure the therapy, benefits, and resources their children need. It was created by a team of grassroots volunteers whose mission is to help parents navigate through the challenges and complexities that arise while caring for their children. Their website, www.daniellesfoundation.org, also offers hundreds of articles related to treatments and therapies, education, estate planning, and legal and financial issues. Join Danielle’s Foundation today to become a part of their support network, where parents can unite to share and exchange their knowledge to educate and empower each other via their online forum.
Contacts
Danielle’s Foundation
Kristin Testa
1-800-208-3494
press@daniellesfoundation.org
Labels: brain injuries, Cerebral Palsy, Therapy
28 July 2009
Wii makes therapy more fun
by BARBARA TRAININ BLANK For The Patriot-News
Sunday July 26, 2009, 12:00 AM
Vince Cassaro
Lori Rice of HealthSouth helps Army Maj. Neal Stasny, 43, of Lebanon, work out with a Wii at the rehabilitation center in Wormleysburg. Stasny, who is the deputy chief of staff of information management at Fort Indiantown Gap, is recovering from a stroke. Miriam Dreibelbis had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for many years. Knee surgery exacerbated the pain in her back, and the West Shore resident ended up in a wheelchair.
Seeking help at HealthSouth Hospitals and Outpatient Centers of Mechanicsburg, Dreibelbis found partial relief in "child's play."
HealthSouth is one of a growing number of outpatient and inpatient facilities that are incorporating Wiihabilitation into their physical therapy and rehabilitation regiments.
Wii (pronounced "wee") is an interactive Nintendo computer game that requires participants to move. A wireless remote connects the player to an on-screen digital icon, which mimics his or her movement in various sports and exercises.
Traditional games available on the Wii Sport software include bowling, tennis and golf. Another game attachment is the balance pad that goes with the Wii Fit software. Players stand on this pad to accomplish such things as walking a tightrope.
"Wii is part of a coordinated approach of physical, occupational and speech therapy at our outpatient facilities," says Laureen Martinelli, site coordinator for the HealthSouth center in Wormleysburg. "It has therapeutic benefits beyond 'straight' exercise. When patients come for outpatient therapy, they've already been through maybe months of conventional therapy. We need different tools to engage the brain, to use new muscles. The graphics of Wii are amazing."
The individuals who come for outpatient rehabilitation and physical therapy at the site include amputees and patients with brain injuries, strokes, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries.
The Lebanon VA Medical Center has had Wii software for two years.
"Initially we introduced it to the long-term care, nursing units," says Jennifer Coy, supervisor of rehabilitation therapies at the VA. "Then we bought it for the rest of the units, including the physical therapy and acute behavioral health units."
According to Coy, Wii "has gone over very well" and brings a lot of benefits, especially for long-term care patients. "It's given them a sense of camaraderie and satisfies their need for competition," she says. "Many of the patients are games- and sports-oriented, especially as our demographic has gotten younger. Wii uses something current that's known to them."
Among the other benefits are that Wii can improve perception, balance and range of motion, the latter especially for physical therapy patients. It also enhances attention span.
One of the other advantages the VA has discovered, says Coy, is that Wii helps fight depression, even if the patient comes just to watch rather than actually participate.
"Wii Sport improves hand-eye coordination and gives the patient a little cardio workout," Martinelli says. "Wii Fit will indicate your body mass index."
For Dreibelbis, Wii was not only effective but "fun."
"It's a nice thing to do," she says. "Wii helps alleviate the tedium of physical therapy exercises and gives patients a sense of progress. Wii worked on my balance, which has always been a problem for me."
Dreibelbis also praised the psychological impact. "I realized I had more capabilities than I thought. It makes you forget about your inabilities," she says.
Like the VA, HealthSouth has found socialization an important part of Wii's appeal and effectiveness.
"It's true Wii means people watching a TV screen, but at least they're moving, and it's interactive," Martinelli says. "It's another tool to add to the therapists' bag of tricks."
Sunday July 26, 2009, 12:00 AM
Vince Cassaro
Lori Rice of HealthSouth helps Army Maj. Neal Stasny, 43, of Lebanon, work out with a Wii at the rehabilitation center in Wormleysburg. Stasny, who is the deputy chief of staff of information management at Fort Indiantown Gap, is recovering from a stroke. Miriam Dreibelbis had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for many years. Knee surgery exacerbated the pain in her back, and the West Shore resident ended up in a wheelchair.
Seeking help at HealthSouth Hospitals and Outpatient Centers of Mechanicsburg, Dreibelbis found partial relief in "child's play."
HealthSouth is one of a growing number of outpatient and inpatient facilities that are incorporating Wiihabilitation into their physical therapy and rehabilitation regiments.
Wii (pronounced "wee") is an interactive Nintendo computer game that requires participants to move. A wireless remote connects the player to an on-screen digital icon, which mimics his or her movement in various sports and exercises.
Traditional games available on the Wii Sport software include bowling, tennis and golf. Another game attachment is the balance pad that goes with the Wii Fit software. Players stand on this pad to accomplish such things as walking a tightrope.
"Wii is part of a coordinated approach of physical, occupational and speech therapy at our outpatient facilities," says Laureen Martinelli, site coordinator for the HealthSouth center in Wormleysburg. "It has therapeutic benefits beyond 'straight' exercise. When patients come for outpatient therapy, they've already been through maybe months of conventional therapy. We need different tools to engage the brain, to use new muscles. The graphics of Wii are amazing."
The individuals who come for outpatient rehabilitation and physical therapy at the site include amputees and patients with brain injuries, strokes, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries.
The Lebanon VA Medical Center has had Wii software for two years.
"Initially we introduced it to the long-term care, nursing units," says Jennifer Coy, supervisor of rehabilitation therapies at the VA. "Then we bought it for the rest of the units, including the physical therapy and acute behavioral health units."
According to Coy, Wii "has gone over very well" and brings a lot of benefits, especially for long-term care patients. "It's given them a sense of camaraderie and satisfies their need for competition," she says. "Many of the patients are games- and sports-oriented, especially as our demographic has gotten younger. Wii uses something current that's known to them."
Among the other benefits are that Wii can improve perception, balance and range of motion, the latter especially for physical therapy patients. It also enhances attention span.
One of the other advantages the VA has discovered, says Coy, is that Wii helps fight depression, even if the patient comes just to watch rather than actually participate.
"Wii Sport improves hand-eye coordination and gives the patient a little cardio workout," Martinelli says. "Wii Fit will indicate your body mass index."
For Dreibelbis, Wii was not only effective but "fun."
"It's a nice thing to do," she says. "Wii helps alleviate the tedium of physical therapy exercises and gives patients a sense of progress. Wii worked on my balance, which has always been a problem for me."
Dreibelbis also praised the psychological impact. "I realized I had more capabilities than I thought. It makes you forget about your inabilities," she says.
Like the VA, HealthSouth has found socialization an important part of Wii's appeal and effectiveness.
"It's true Wii means people watching a TV screen, but at least they're moving, and it's interactive," Martinelli says. "It's another tool to add to the therapists' bag of tricks."
Labels: care, elderly, Exercise, fit, games, Health, injury, jennifer coy, medical center, nintendo, Nintendo Wii, nursing, patient, Rehabilitation, spinal cord, Therapy, veterans
19 July 2009
Send in the robots - for virtual rehab
By 2020, occupational, physical, psychological and behavioral rehabilitation will be carried out by robots in our own homes, according to Professor Grigore Burdea speaking at the Virtual Rehabilitation 2009 International Conference in Israel this month.
And they won't just stop there, Burdea told delegates from Israel and around the world. The robots will also do the cooking, cleaning, dressing and other household chores.
"The future is in low-cost, patient-based devices that will enable the patient to receive continuously tailored therapy from home," he said.
Burdea, a pioneer in the field of virtual rehabilitation and director of the Rutgers Tele-Rehabilitation Institute in New Jersey in the US, was one of many speakers at the conference hosted by the University of Haifa.
Multiple therapies, one robot
He predicts that in the near future we will see various aspects of therapy coming together. Instead of a slew of therapists treating each patient, there will one therapist regulating the inclusive virtual application of therapies tailored to each specific patient.
He explains that the technologies that will enable this scenario are likely to come in the form of robotics - a robot that can do everything in the home of a patient, from cooking and cleaning, to providing therapy specifically suited to the patient's individual and changing rehabilitation needs.
"A patient might often feel more at ease talking to a robot, and in the comfort of the home and not in a hospital or clinic," said Burdea.
"Cloud rehabilitation," a term coined by Burdea, will also play a major role in future interactive virtual rehabilitation enhancement.
We'll still need human therapists
Use of cloud computing technology will facilitate real-time data processing, as it enables us to record on remote servers the rehabilitation processes taking place in a patient's home.
That makes the information accessible to remote therapists who can then provide analysis and feedback. He emphasizes, however, that technology is meant to augment, not to replace, therapists.
The future technology will avoid the risks inherent in the use of today's virtual reality games for rehabilitation, Burdea explains. The Wii and Xbox, for example, have already been adopted by therapists but are not suitable for unassisted patient use because they may cause elevated blood pressure or loss of balance.
However, the game-based concept will certainly remain, because it provides motivation and makes it fun to achieve goals.
And they won't just stop there, Burdea told delegates from Israel and around the world. The robots will also do the cooking, cleaning, dressing and other household chores.
"The future is in low-cost, patient-based devices that will enable the patient to receive continuously tailored therapy from home," he said.
Burdea, a pioneer in the field of virtual rehabilitation and director of the Rutgers Tele-Rehabilitation Institute in New Jersey in the US, was one of many speakers at the conference hosted by the University of Haifa.
Multiple therapies, one robot
He predicts that in the near future we will see various aspects of therapy coming together. Instead of a slew of therapists treating each patient, there will one therapist regulating the inclusive virtual application of therapies tailored to each specific patient.
He explains that the technologies that will enable this scenario are likely to come in the form of robotics - a robot that can do everything in the home of a patient, from cooking and cleaning, to providing therapy specifically suited to the patient's individual and changing rehabilitation needs.
"A patient might often feel more at ease talking to a robot, and in the comfort of the home and not in a hospital or clinic," said Burdea.
"Cloud rehabilitation," a term coined by Burdea, will also play a major role in future interactive virtual rehabilitation enhancement.
We'll still need human therapists
Use of cloud computing technology will facilitate real-time data processing, as it enables us to record on remote servers the rehabilitation processes taking place in a patient's home.
That makes the information accessible to remote therapists who can then provide analysis and feedback. He emphasizes, however, that technology is meant to augment, not to replace, therapists.
The future technology will avoid the risks inherent in the use of today's virtual reality games for rehabilitation, Burdea explains. The Wii and Xbox, for example, have already been adopted by therapists but are not suitable for unassisted patient use because they may cause elevated blood pressure or loss of balance.
However, the game-based concept will certainly remain, because it provides motivation and makes it fun to achieve goals.
Labels: Access, Therapy, Virtual Rehabilitation robots
12 June 2009
Finding the right balance: Providence Healthcare’s new mobility clinic
By Beth Johnson
Radiation treatments for bone cancer at the age of 11 precipitated a condition that resulted in the amputation of Kevin Clancy’s right leg at age 48. Clancy remembers waking up on November 16, 2008 and noticing that his right foot was unusually cold. “Some of the toes had turned blue,” he recalls. “Ever since I had cancer, I’ve had poor circulation in that leg, but nothing like this.”
He was taken to an acute-care hospital the same day, where doctors discovered that only one artery was working. The decision was quickly made to remove the leg above the knee. The surgery was done November 23, and within 10 days, Clancy was transferred to Providence Hospital’s Amputee Rehabilitation program to begin rehab. Providence Hospital is one of the three integrated care divisions within Providence Healthcare in Toronto’s east end that also offers long-term care and community outreach services.
During his two months at Providence, Clancy was fitted with a prosthetic leg, and made a couple of trips home to determine what changes would need to be made to ensure a smooth transition home. Another step taken to ensure a smooth transition home was introducing Clancy to Providence’s newest service, the Mobility Clinic, where he met with his new physical and occupational therapists.
The new Mobility Clinic is designed for outpatients of Providence Hospital with muscular-skeletal impairments. It ‘fills the gap’ that opens once a patient returns home by continuing to support their therapy needs within a safe, professional, and compassionate environment.
There are two ultimate goals for the Clinic. The first is to provide individualized health-care services to improve functional abilities and promote independence. The second, more important goal, is re-integrating clients into their community and giving clients back their confidence and freedom to take charge and manage their own health care and new lifestyles.
“Kevin was confident while at Providence or at home, but there was a lot of fear each time he faced a new, public environment,” explains Clancy’s wife Christie. “For example, we had to go shopping for a light bulb, but Kevin was hesitant. He knew they were stocked at the back of the hardware store. But he did it – he summoned the confidence he needed to walk to the back of the store, find what he was looking for, get back to the car and return home.” A weekend trip to the hardware store is something we take for granted, but a milestone for someone learning to walk again after the sudden loss of a leg.
The Clinic helps people overcome fears by instilling a sense of independence through using innovative rehabilitation equipment and best practices. Physiotherapist Dellene Sakaguchi says, “Strengthening exercises help patients learn how to trust their balance again. We use tools such as a ‘core pole’ for total body conditioning.” The Clinics’s state-of-the-art gymnasium includes a variety of rehabilitation equipment, a mock kitchen and laundry room for training purposes, and a Sony Wii game system to strengthen muscles and enhance dynamic balance skills in a fun way.
“We take the time to learn about what each person’s day-to-day life involves then reintroduce them to these activities, and adapt them however necessary,” explains occupational therapist Lynne Mycyk. Staff introduced and adapted exercises and activities that would help Clancy get back to the things he loves doing, such as golfing, cooking and participating in the drum corps.
Staff members also help clients understand their injuries, their rehabilitation goals, and their achievements. Education fosters understanding; when clients see the ‘big picture’, they develop a belief in what they are doing, thereby increasing their chance of success. Beyond the physical rehabilitation provided, a sense of camaraderie and hope permeates the clinic. Clients of the service encourage each other’s progress and celebrate achievements.
With 347 beds, Providence Hospital is one of the largest rehabilitation hospitals in Ontario, and the Amputee Rehabilitation unit alone discharges up to 80 patients annually. The new Mobility Clinic is Providence’s solution to ensuring a smooth continuum of care on the patient’s journey to recovery.Beth Johnson is the Director of Communications at Providence Healthcare.
Radiation treatments for bone cancer at the age of 11 precipitated a condition that resulted in the amputation of Kevin Clancy’s right leg at age 48. Clancy remembers waking up on November 16, 2008 and noticing that his right foot was unusually cold. “Some of the toes had turned blue,” he recalls. “Ever since I had cancer, I’ve had poor circulation in that leg, but nothing like this.”
He was taken to an acute-care hospital the same day, where doctors discovered that only one artery was working. The decision was quickly made to remove the leg above the knee. The surgery was done November 23, and within 10 days, Clancy was transferred to Providence Hospital’s Amputee Rehabilitation program to begin rehab. Providence Hospital is one of the three integrated care divisions within Providence Healthcare in Toronto’s east end that also offers long-term care and community outreach services.
During his two months at Providence, Clancy was fitted with a prosthetic leg, and made a couple of trips home to determine what changes would need to be made to ensure a smooth transition home. Another step taken to ensure a smooth transition home was introducing Clancy to Providence’s newest service, the Mobility Clinic, where he met with his new physical and occupational therapists.
The new Mobility Clinic is designed for outpatients of Providence Hospital with muscular-skeletal impairments. It ‘fills the gap’ that opens once a patient returns home by continuing to support their therapy needs within a safe, professional, and compassionate environment.
There are two ultimate goals for the Clinic. The first is to provide individualized health-care services to improve functional abilities and promote independence. The second, more important goal, is re-integrating clients into their community and giving clients back their confidence and freedom to take charge and manage their own health care and new lifestyles.
“Kevin was confident while at Providence or at home, but there was a lot of fear each time he faced a new, public environment,” explains Clancy’s wife Christie. “For example, we had to go shopping for a light bulb, but Kevin was hesitant. He knew they were stocked at the back of the hardware store. But he did it – he summoned the confidence he needed to walk to the back of the store, find what he was looking for, get back to the car and return home.” A weekend trip to the hardware store is something we take for granted, but a milestone for someone learning to walk again after the sudden loss of a leg.
The Clinic helps people overcome fears by instilling a sense of independence through using innovative rehabilitation equipment and best practices. Physiotherapist Dellene Sakaguchi says, “Strengthening exercises help patients learn how to trust their balance again. We use tools such as a ‘core pole’ for total body conditioning.” The Clinics’s state-of-the-art gymnasium includes a variety of rehabilitation equipment, a mock kitchen and laundry room for training purposes, and a Sony Wii game system to strengthen muscles and enhance dynamic balance skills in a fun way.
“We take the time to learn about what each person’s day-to-day life involves then reintroduce them to these activities, and adapt them however necessary,” explains occupational therapist Lynne Mycyk. Staff introduced and adapted exercises and activities that would help Clancy get back to the things he loves doing, such as golfing, cooking and participating in the drum corps.
Staff members also help clients understand their injuries, their rehabilitation goals, and their achievements. Education fosters understanding; when clients see the ‘big picture’, they develop a belief in what they are doing, thereby increasing their chance of success. Beyond the physical rehabilitation provided, a sense of camaraderie and hope permeates the clinic. Clients of the service encourage each other’s progress and celebrate achievements.
With 347 beds, Providence Hospital is one of the largest rehabilitation hospitals in Ontario, and the Amputee Rehabilitation unit alone discharges up to 80 patients annually. The new Mobility Clinic is Providence’s solution to ensuring a smooth continuum of care on the patient’s journey to recovery.Beth Johnson is the Director of Communications at Providence Healthcare.
Labels: amputation, mobility, Nintendo Wii, Physiotherapy, Prosthetic, Therapy
06 February 2009
Parkinson's Dance Therapy
Following this video I had an email from a visitor watching this who very kindly told me about his blog and as given me his web address which I want to share share with you all. Read about his life
Labels: Dance, Parkinson's, Therapy