Yes You Can - Fourth Edition - 181

4.a | Recreation Recreation! What images or ideas come to mind when you hear that word? Camping? Watching movies or playing video games? Biking, skiing, or gardening? How about cooking or reading a book? Recreation is simply the activities we pursue in our free time. We choose these leisure activities for a variety of reasons, and they might change throughout life or even by the season of the year. Think about all the activities you’ve enjoyed on a regular basis [like exercising or reading] or when the opportunity arises [like skiing, ﬁshing, or traveling]. Each of us has a unique set of recreation or leisure interests—the ones you choose reﬂect who you are and what is important to you. Leisure activities have many meanings in our life. They allow us to express ourselves, release tension, master skills, meet people, and improve our health. We need these activities to experience risks and challenges, to be exposed to new ideas, to accomplish things, and to build pride. Most important, through, we need them to help us relax and have fun. Your recreational activities are the options that make up your leisure lifestyle. This section aims to motivate you to feel the freedom of expressing yourself through your leisure activities. It oﬀers information, answers questions, and identiﬁes resources to help you toward that goal. time. This is important time that you can use to pursue the things in life that bring you joy. We all do the things we need to so we can do the things we want to. As you progress in your rehabilitation, you may have opportunities to participate in recreation or recreation therapy programs in the hospital and in the community. Give them a try. Programs in the hospital will allow you to enjoy an activity that you have an interest in. These programs also are usually designed to support the skills or strengths that you’re focusing on in your other therapies. Playing a board game with other patients or family or developing a hobby can relieve stress and add some fun during a very diﬃcult time. These activities also can help you build hand function, increase endurance, and provide other beneﬁts that support your recovery. Community activities are also essential to your rehabilitation. The thought of going outside the hospital might seem scary at ﬁrst. These feelings are very important, and there’s no need to minimize them. But don’t let them stop you. You might have the opportunity to go out to eat, to the movies or shopping, or to a sporting event. These experiences will help you discover your strengths, learn about accessibility, enhance your wheelchair skills, and have fun. The ﬁrst outings may be diﬃcult, but they’ll get easier. Remember that your recreational interests are a part of you. Don’t cross important interests oﬀ your list because you think you can’t do them anymore. Give yourself time to heal and get stronger. You’ll discover that something that doesn’t seem possible right now actually is. The ﬁrst time you try an activity you formerly enjoyed—such as painting, swimming, shooting pool, or playing ball with your son or daughter— might be challenging. But keep at it. Eventually, [ Section 4 ] 4.a Recreation in Rehabilitation While you’re in the hospital, you should have the opportunity to explore how leisure ﬁts into your life. Recreation or leisure might be the last thing on your mind while you’re busy learning critical skills to take home with you. But once you master those skills, you’ll ﬁnd yourself with some free Section 4: Staying Healthy after SCI! | [ 181 ]

Yes You Can - Fourth Edition

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Yes You Can - Fourth Edition