My loved one needs an outlet for her competitive nature. What kinds of recreational activities can the survivor enjoy?

This is an excellent question, because all too often survivors equate paralysis with sitting inside the house, doing nothing. This is a depressing thought, and an incorrect one as well. A survivor of SCI can participate in just about anything an able-bodied person can. It may take a little ingenuity and some adaptive equipment, but really, anything is possible. Whether the survivor is a hard-core competitor or just wants to regularly get away from the stresses and responsibilities of daily living, there are a number of recreational activities designed to get the heart pumping, the mind working, and the physical limitations challenged. There are a few resources scattered in the copy below to get you started, but please see our comprehensive list on Recreation Resources on page ? for more information and additional resources.

Activities/Recreation

Art

Because the imagination is not affected by SCI, the arts is an excellent area in which the SCI survivor can express himself or herself. The arts give the survivor a forum in which to succeed, contribute to society, and interact socially without the injury or physical limitations of the survivor being the focus. Simple equipment adaptations make drawing, painting, operating a camera, knitting, crocheting, sewing, doing crafts, or playing a musical instrument possible. Contact the National Arts and Disability Center (NADC) for referrals and more information, www.nadc.ucla.edu.

Dance

Wheelchair dancing is becoming a more and more popular outlet of expression, as dance troupes like AXIS Dance Company integrate disabled and non-disabled dancers in an effort to challenge norms and encourage diversity. Whether the survivor is looking to learn ballroom dancing or wants to enter dancing competitions, organizations like the American DanceWheels Foundation are ensuring that there are plenty of options. You can contact them at www.americandancewheels.com.

Fishing

While fishing was previously not an option for those without manual dexterity, new equipment is available that allows casting to be done via a partially automated device that includes push buttons and a motorized reel. The device can be used with a variety of control systems, including head movement, joystick control, and sip and puff, making fishing possible by virtually anyone. There are also companies that specialize in fishing expeditions for the disabled. A great place to get started is through the Disabled Sportsmen of America, www.disabledsportsmenofamerica.org.

Gardening

Gardening is incredibly relaxing and allows those who are doing it to connect with nature. Gardening is also great exercise! Because the gardener is responsible for planting seeds and helping them grow, it also instills a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. Raised beds and special tools are available to gardeners with disabilities.

Hunting

Survivors interested in getting back into hunting will find that there’s a variety of adaptive equipment that makes this possible, from tracking devices that attach to a wheelchair to adaptive rifle triggers. The choices in wheelchairs themselves are becoming more varied, and there are several models with heavy frames and chunky tires designed to withstand the varied terrain that goes hand in hand with hunting. For more information, contact the Disabled Sportsmen of America at www.disabledsportsmenofamerica.org.

Sailing

For the most part, SCI sailors and non-disabled sailors can enjoy the ocean on equal footing. The Sailors With Special Needs Committee promotes disabled sailing programs that give SCI survivors the chance to learn to sail, and is also involved with races and competitions. Disabled sailors can compete against other disabled sailors is specially designated competitions, but can also quite successfully compete in open events. Some programs that teach SCI survivors to sail have modified docks and special sloops designed for extra stability, as well as adaptive equipment on board that allows the person to independently sail the boat. Access the United States Sailing Association for more information, www.ussailing.org.

Scuba Diving

Scuba is one of the most freeing activities imaginable for anyone with a mobility issue. Divers must be specially trained and certified in order to dive. An organization called the Handicapped Scuba Association certifies disabled divers based on their ability to assist themselves or another diver in the water. In addition to programs that certified disabled divers, there are also tour and vacation companies that specifically target divers with disabilities. Contact the Handicapped Scuba Association (HAS) for more information, www.hsascuba.com.

Video Games

There is a wide variety of adaptive equipment available to video gamers, from adapted bed controls to controllers that can be operated with the mouth. Controllers with larger buttons and joysticks are also available to those with limited hand dexterity. There is even adaptive equipment that can be used with smaller hand-held gaming systems! In addition to being great fun, video games such as Wii are being heralded by therapists as an excellent way to improve both fine and gross motor skills. For more information on adaptive video gaming equipment, contact KY Enterprises at www.quadcontrol.com.

Weightlifting

Paraplegics with upper body strength often use weightlifting to maintain upper body muscles, while other use it to increase strength for sports such as hand-cycling or wheelchair tennis. In addition to being used for fitness, lifting competitions for disabled lifters have also cropped up around the world.