Swimming, Splashing, and Having Fun in the Water
by Jeni Mundl
This summer is almost
past but it still is not too late to enjoy water activities. Minnesota
is the land of 10,000 lakes where swimming and water sports are
a way of life. Water skiing, boating, sailing, and swimming are
several activities which can be adapted for a variety of disabilities.
Another reason to engage
in sports are the benefits they bring. Sports can provide physical
activity and recreation that yield psychological and physical benefits.
According to a study by Roy J. Shephards, "Benefits
of Sport and Physical Activity for the Disabled: Implications for
the Individual and for Society," potential benefits include
improvement of mood-state, reduction of anxiety and depression, increased
self-esteem, improved perceived health, and long-term reduced risk
of many chronic diseases.
The number of people with disabilities who engage in sports and
other physical activities has increased dramatically in the past
decade, due to the growing field of assistive sports equipment. National
and international sports associations have formed and organized competitions
for persons with disabilities that are now commonplace for many sports.
Whether for competition or recreation, the sports equipment market
is overflowing with devices to get fans off the sidelines and into
the sports arena.
SWIMMING
Swimming and other water activities are used in rehabilitation and
physical therapy to promote good muscle tone, lung capacity, flexibility,
and overall fitness without causing undue pressure on joints or bones.
Aquatic activity can be fun and relaxing, and learning to float or
swim can lead to participation in other aquatic sports.
Flotation devices are designed to keep either the entire body or
specific parts of the body afloat. Most flotation aids are made of
vinyl-coated soft flotation foam with adjustable straps. Flotation
devices are good for persons with some head and neck control and
to help compensate for uneven weight distribution. Flotation devices
have models to assist with horizontal and vertical positioning. The
vertical flotation devices help with walking where as horizontal
devices assist with flotation of the body.
POOL ACCESSORIES
A pool lift transfers people with mobility disabilities into a swimming
pool. Models vary according to the hoisting and lowering mechanism,
whether they are portable or permanent models, whether the lift is
self-operated or attendant-operated, and whether the model is geared
toward institutional or residential use. Different models are designed
for deck-level pools, aboveground pools, or both.
Other pool access equipment includes portable or permanent stainless
steel ramps with handrails for aided ambulatory or amphibious wheelchair
entry into the water, and pool steps descending from a transfer bench
or chair for wheelchair users with sufficient upper body strength
to ease down each stair.
SWIM WEAR
Adaptive swim wear is available for children and adults who want
to participate in water sports or for lounging around the pool. Bioenergetics
Inc. makes a lightweight buoyant swim vest designed to hold persons
with physical disabilities in a floating position. The Equipment
Shop and Special Clothes for Special Children manufacture vests made
of regular wet suit material to protect and insulate the upper body
against loss of body heat. Special Clothes for Special Children and
Danmar Products make cotton or cotton lycra swim suits that have
full-length side zippers, snap or velcro fasteners, or g-tube access
opening options. Water Ear Muffs 8732, also by Danmar Products, can
be used for holding ear molds, ear plugs, or wax molds in place to
prevent water from entering the ear during exercise or play.
AMPHIBIOUS WHEELCHAIRS
Several companies have developed non-corrosive aquatic wheelchairs
for use in swimming and therapy pools or at lakes and beaches. There
are beach wheelchairs which can maneuver over sand with extra-large
plastic wheels.
WATER SKIING
The Quickie Shadow1 line of adaptive sports equipment features three
models of KAN SKI water skis for all levels of ability. The KAN SKI
was designed for persons with disabilities such as leg amputations,
cerebral palsy, spinal bifida, and spinal cord injuries.
The Ski-Seat, by Water Sport Industries, is designed with two standard
size skis connected with steel tubes. A vinyl-covered cushion seat
is shock-mounted on the tubing with stainless steel pins imbedded
in neoprene rubber.
BOATING
While owning a boat is indiscriminately expensive for everyone,
regardless of whether the owner has a disability or not; adaptive
sailboats, catamarans, kayaks, and canoes are available. Canoes are
especially well-suited for persons with mobility impairments due
to their inherent stability. The Poke Boat is a canoe-kayak style
boat with a large beam for improved stability. The Vagabond is a
two-person canoe with adaptable seating arrangements for one person
to be able to paddle. Most canoes are long enough and wide enough
to store a wheelchair along with other gear. Seat adjustments are
the most necessary for individuals with mobility disabilities to
lower their center of gravity in the boat to increase stability.
Persons with visual impairments can enjoy canoeing and kayaking when
paired with a sighted navigator, and no special equipment is necessary.
Freedom Independence is a commercially available adapted sailboat
for adults with physical disabilities. The foam flotation makes the
boat unsinkable with a carbon fiber mast providing additional foam
flotation. The seats are counter weighted to bring sailors to windward,
and lock in place by hand. The cockpit controls are within easy reach.
The Samba, a Swedish sailboat, has a swivel seat, allowing the sailor
to remain seated while under sail. The Sunbird is a 15-foot dinghy
with a 300-pound retractable keel, making it virtually impossible
to capsize. This small boat has a joystick tiller and access to the
controls is within the sailors reach. There is no need to move about
in this boat, since sailing it can be done entirely in a seated position.
The Sunbird is designed as a single-handed vessel but an additional
passenger can tag along.
CONCLUSION
Barriers to participation in sports by persons with disabilities
are disappearing rapidly, due to both the adventurous spirit of sports
fans and athletes with disabilities and to the ingenuity of assistive
technology. Courage Center offers many programs around aquatics and
water activities. The fun is just beginning FOR ALL!
