My Tips for Adaptive Sports and Recreation
For anyone living with a spinal cord injury (SCI), one of the best things you can do post-injury is to join an adaptive sports club or team. I have met many incredible people with spinal cord injuries through adaptive sports. Each individual I encountered has either empowered me or motivated me in some form or fashion. Adaptive sports have helped me overcome my injury in many ways. Once I started actively competing in different sports, I noticed significant health improvements. One of the most important health benefits of being active is improved bowel function.
Along /with potential health improvements, your overall quality of life will also improve. Adaptive sports also provide newly injured individuals a community and a safe space to ask important questions. The benefits of adaptive sports are endless.
Just like abled-body sports, adaptive sports have different competitive levels. Some people take up adaptive sports as a hobby just to have fun and be active. Others may take up adaptive sports to potentially be a Paralympian one day. Did you know that there are over 50 official and unofficial adaptive sports? However, just about every sport can be adapted for an individual living with SCI. Many people ask how they can get started in adaptive sports. I recommend joining a club or team and searching for local adaptive sports/ teams in your area.
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Sports and classifications typically are based on ability level. For example, power soccer was designed for quadriplegic power wheelchair users, a paraplegic in a power chair wouldn’t be able to participate in an official game. Some of the adaptions consist of sip and puff controls. The cost sometimes for adaptive equipment can sometimes be high; however, there are grants you can apply for to help offset some of the expenses.
Like any sport, adaptive sports teach you how to use your body differently. Often you will find that you are able to activate muscles that typically wouldn’t get activation by just sitting. Being active with paralysis is very important, even if you do not want to compete. Participating at your leisure to improve your strength and endurance is also important.
Many community-based organizations and nonprofits have different types of sports and recreation. Also, you can look into the programs your city and state parks may have for outdoor recreation. In addition, certain public schools have inclusive fitness programs to include individuals with disabilities. Colleges and universities have adaptive sports programs and teams as well. If you want to go the competitive route, opportunities there provide prize money.
So whether you have been injured for quite some time or newly injured, I think there is a benefit in everyone participating in adaptive sports after their injury. Sports and recreation will provide you with a community, mentors, and other individuals that can assist you with your injury. After reading this, my goal is for everyone to type in their search engine “What Adaptive Sports is in my Area.”