Yes You Can - Fourth Edition - 183

night. Swimming? You might be independent and not need any ﬂoatation equipment, or you might need someone to support you and help you move through the water. Resources for Recreation Some recreation resources are right around the corner. Look in the Yellow Pages and search the Internet. Contact your local YMCA or YWCA, community centers, and the parks and recreation department for information on events and organizations. Call local rehabilitation professionals and ask about recreation organizations, or ask them to refer you to other people with disabilities. Peers are a terriﬁc resource to let you know what’s happening and to provide support. Colleges and community centers oﬀer many classes that are a great way to start increasing your activity. Take a cooking class or learn a language. Parks and recreation departments, churches, and veterans and community organizations also oﬀer classes and programs. Try something diﬀerent. For example, getting involved in local government is a good way to meet people. A number of sports and outdoor recreation resources are listed under Resources at the end of this section. Many of these organizations have been very successful in developing equipment and resources to support greater independence and more opportunities. Look for ideas in bookstores under Outdoor Recreation and Sports. Don’t feel as though you should stick to disabled sports resources—every sport has a magazine full of opportunities and ideas. Be creative! Depending on your interests, recreational equipment can be very expensive. Handcycles, for example, can cost several thousand dollars. Buying this kind of equipment yourself might not be an option, but there are other ways to obtain it. Talk with your health-care provider and explain your goals for getting the equipment [like exercise and healthier living]. Ask the provider to write a prescription for that equipment, just like they would for a wheelchair or other assistive device. With a prescription, your health insurance might pay for the equipment. You can also check out grants from organizations like the Challenged Athletes Foundation—there will probably be an application process to determine your goals, ﬁnancial need, and so on. If you’re a veteran, your VA hospital might be able to purchase sports equipment for you. Check with the local VA facility to determine your eligibility. Two other options are to search the Internet for used equipment or to network with others in your area to borrow equipment. Before you purchase or borrow equipment, make sure it’s in good condition and it ﬁts right. Sports equipment should be customized for you just as much as your everyday wheelchair. If having recreational equipment is important to you, be persistent. Local, State, and Federal Recreation Passes Many local, state, and federal agencies oﬀer free or discounted recreational programs for people with disabilities. Look on the Internet and call your city, county, and state parks and recreation departments and ask what programs they oﬀer. When you’re looking for programs, consider all the categories that might apply to you—person with a disability, senior citizen, veteran, and so on. Always ask if a recreational program or business oﬀers a discount for you and possibly for your attendant as well. Some movie theaters, museums, and so on will give your companion a discount or free pass if he or she is also your “attendant.” The following are just a few examples of the programs that exist. Section 4: Staying Healthy after SCI! | [ 183 ]

Yes You Can - Fourth Edition

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