With or Without a Disability, We All Need Activity!

Since 1992 December 3 has been recognized as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The goal is to increase understanding of the issues around disabilities. It’s to shed light on what the world is missing by not always equally integrating disabled persons into every part of life; from politics, to social and economic aspects to cultural life. This day is an opportunity to raise awareness and funds to provide resources for people with disabilities, ensuring that equality is possible worldwide. Maybe the most important goal is to increase awareness about dignity, rights and the well being of those with disabilities.

Physical activity is important for all people and there are vast benefits for those with or without disabilities or limitations. Anyone that’s inactive is at risk of obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. That includes people with disabilities.

What I learned

The World Health Organization websites says around 10% of the world’s population lives with disabilities. Disability is an “umbrella term” that covers impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions.

• An impairment = a problem in body function
• Activity limitations = difficulty executing a task or action
• Participation restrictions = a problem related to involvement in life situations

Disability is a complex term; it reflects an interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives. An impairment can be physical, sensory, cognitive or intellectual. Various types of chronic diseases might also be considered impairments.

Barriers and benefits

All of us face barriers to getting our daily dose of physical activity. Those barriers are magnified for people with disabilities. The barriers include:

• affordability
• lack of access
• transportation
• lack of information

Hmmm – sounds familiar. The benefits are:

• improved mental health                                               
• social interaction opportunities
• lower levels of depression and improved mood
• reduced anxiety and stress
• muscle strength
• increased stamina
• reducation in muscle swelling and pain

You’ll notice that pretty much all of the barriers and benefits overlap between individuals both with or without disabilities (I wrote it like that on purpose.. you’ll see why). This is because we’re all people first! For example: a women with Downs Syndrome, not a Downs Syndrome woman. Or a man who uses a wheel chair. Just because a person has a disability doesn’t mean it defines them. If a person who uses adaptive equipment (a wheel chair, crutches, a cane etc.) it should be described as something that assists the person - never as something that limits them.

Activity adapted

Activities that don’t work for all abilities it can be adapted. Examples are: rugby, tennis, golf, basketball, track and dance. People with disabilities can also ride horses, go canoeing and kayaking, swim, row, take aquasize, yoga, or tai chi classes. In the winter months there’s sledge hockey and adapted versions of cross country and downhill skiing. Fitness videos specially made for those with disabilities are available today. There’s specialized equipment including exercise bikes and sit-skiis. Resistance and weight training are two other great options.

Wicked proof

I had heard of Mark Zupan and the Murder Ball documentary before but I didn’t know a lot about it. So I thought in honour of raising awareness, I would further my WHO (World Health Organization) education with some Wikipedia knowledge about Mark. Mark is a quadraplegic as a result of an accident. When asked if he would change his life given the opportunity, he said no. Mark won a gold metal as a member of the US quad rugby team in the 2008 Paralympics. (Very cool accomplishments in a crazy intense sport).

Awareness …check! Now what do I do?

Now you can spread the word and educate people who may be unaware of the barriers to physical activity for people with and without disabilities. When you see opportunities for improvement to facilities or new ones to be built, make sure they’re accessible for people with disabilities. Consult and include those who have disabilities in the planning of events and facilities for firsthand knowledge. Make sure you express your need to have access to quality daily physical activity at school, and make sure everyone can participate!

December 3 may have been yesterday but I’m posting my blog today because it’s important to care and be educated every day, not just on the day we’re reminded to be.

Get out there and Move it!

Kenji