Recreation | Recreation Resources

Recreation

After a brain injury, the importance of reestablishing enjoyable recreational activities may at first seem insignificant. However, participation in leisure and recreational activities is an important part of the recovery process, both for children and adults. Recreation can be especially meaningful for persons with brain injury who are unable to continue with work activities.

This section offers suggestions for locating and accessing both mainstream and alternative recreational and leisure opportunities in your community. It is written directly for persons with brain injury.

Assess Interest and Abilities

First, you must assess your interests and abilities. What recreational skills have been lost and maintained after the injury? What physical, emotional, social, or intellectual limitations has the brain injury placed on you? Are you ready and willing to try new activities? What are you looking for: fun, friendships, and/or learning? Before engaging in a new sport or physical activity that involves any risk, it is advisable to check with your physician or other appropriate medical professional.

Many hospitals have a therapeutic recreation department that can do an assessment of your recreational interests, skills, and goals. You can talk to the hospital about getting an assessment or obtaining a copy of any assessment you had in the past.

Special Adaptive Equipment

Adaptive equipment is available to help you participate in certain recreational activities, from bicycling to skiing to bowling. For information about resources suited to your specific needs call (708) 344-4646 or (800) 699-6443.

Recreation Resources

Parks and Recreation Departments: All community parks and recreation departments have a variety of activities and events available for both children and adults. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all programs be accessible. Some offer therapeutic recreation or alternative leisure programs for persons with disabilities. Parks and recreational departments can be good resources for referrals to private organizations offering special recreation programs. In addition, many state parks will have areas that are accessible for persons with disabilities. To find out who to call, look in the government section of your white pages telephone book.

Social Service Organizations: Many social service organizations offer recreational programs for persons with disabilities. This section lists several social service organizations that offer such programs.

Adult Day Programs: Constructive, therapeutic activity programs are available on an outpatient or day service basis. These programs are designed for a wide range of functional abilities and disabilities.

Camps: There are summer residential and day camp opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. For a guide to accredited camps throughout the nation, organized by state, program type and special populations served, call the American Camping Association at (800) 428-2267 or check out their web site at www.aca-camps.org.

Libraries: Many library systems will have materials that are available in alternative formats to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. For example, most library systems now carry books on audiotape. For more information, contact your local library.

Centers for Independent Living (CILS): Most CILS provide recreational programs.