Adaptive recreation helps people with disabilities and special needs win the "Game of Life".

slip-sliding away at USARC 

Picture a wintry day in Big Bear Lake, California, with fresh powder snow blanketing the mountains. Several skiers wearing bright orange vests carefully maneuver the slopes in single file. Upon closer observation, the vests are marked "Visually Impaired Skier" or "Visually Impaired Skier Guide." Obviously, this isn't an ordinary group of skiers. They are sight-challenged individuals of all ages who are taking skiing lessons at the U.S. Adaptive Recreation Center (USARC), which is specially designed for children and adults with disabilities and special needs.

At the bottom of the hill, USARC volunteers are demonstrating adaptive ski equipment to disabled and wheelchair-bound children, such as mono-skis, bi-skis and outriggers, which are poles that attach to the forearms and which are connected to small skis. In a monoski, the skier has the ability to lift his or her body to the height of a chairlift with little or no assistance. With some guidance, practice and a lot of determination, everyone can learn to ski on their own. "We can get anybody skiing, whether they're standing or sitting," said Caryn Krasne, USARC Outreach Coordinator.

Founded in 1983, USARC's mission is to ensure that skiing is available to people of all ages with any type of physical or developmental disability, such as Down syndrome, autism or cerebral palsy. The center has adaptive equipment to meet any disability need. "We put children and adults in the least restrictive environment possible to make them the most successful," Krasne said. "Our overall objective, though, is to make sure everyone has a fun day."

Thousands of children and adults with disabilities come to USARC to experience freedom, gain confidence and achieve a sense of accomplishment. They take to the ski slopes in the winter and the lake in the summer to experience the thrill and adventure of outdoor recreation and sports. With specially trained staff and volunteers, USARC accommodates individuals with almost any mental or physical challenge.

The staff notices a huge transformation in the kids after only one day on the slopes. "When they arrive, they're quiet and reserved. By day's end, they're bubbly and giggly. They want to hug you," Krasne said. This type of positive experience often results in increased self-confidence and greater success in academic, professional and personal life challenges.

In July and August, Big Bear Lake becomes a haven for water skiing, jet skiing, kayaking, sailing and fishing. USARC uses a variety of modified and standard recreation equipment designed to safely introduce the excitement of water sports to each participant. "Anyone can water ski. Our system is fail proof, so everyone gets up," Krasne said. After a day on the water, many children look forward to overnight camping at the Center.

"It's critical for children of all abilities to be engaged in some sort of physical activity," according to Dr. James Rimmer, professor of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, and director of the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability.

It's also important to practice inclusion in sports so children of all abilities play together as a team. Adaptive equipment can help level the playing field. "There's no better way to teach children about variations in human behaviors and physical dimensions so they will overcome negative stereotypical notions about persons with disabilities," Rimmer said.

The Power of Recreation: A Case in Point

Bruce Sham, a Special Care Planner with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, can attest to the benefits special needs children derive from recreation. His 25-year-old daughter, Amanda, is a young adult with special needs. The social and emotional skills she developed by participating in inclusion programs contribute to her success today as an "aide to an aide" in a daycare center. "Most people don't even realize that Amanda has special needs," Sham said, referring to a recent incident when a psychologist mistook Amanda for the teacher of a special needs program.

"When Amanda was a baby, her occupational therapist had her swinging across her living room in a net-like swing," Sham said. "Through this experience, Amanda learned balance and eventually was able to swing on a playground swing, ride a bike and even transverse a lake suspended in a harness--30 feet up in the air--while attending camp."

The ability for special needs children to have a normal camp experience and interact with teen-age staff is a win-win experience, according to Sham. "Having a place to live and food to eat is not quality of life," Sham said. "We all need social outlets to be complete. My daughter lives for camp, karate class and adapted tennis."

As a MassMutual Special Care Planner, Sham's practice is dedicated to helping families with special needs children prepare for their financial futures. The father-and-daughter-team is very involved in major community special needs programs and teaches "transition into the workforce" to seventh grade students.

Easter Seals Creates Happy Campers

Easter Seals[R] offers the nation's largest network of recreation programs for children and adults with disabilities, with camps located in 22 states. Each year, nearly 40,000 participants take advantage of its 143 camping and recreation programs. From roasting marshmallows by the campfire to swimming, sailing, horseback riding, taking nature walks and learning arts and crafts, Easter Seals enables children of all abilities to experience the joys of camping in fully accessible settings.

"Accessible grounds and facilities, adapted equipment and trained staff allow participants to accomplish what they may have thought was impossible--like

swimming, traversing a river or playing wheelchair tennis," said James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals.

Easter Seals residential and day camping programs provide an opportunity for children and adults to participate in extracurricular, educational and personal development activities. These activities help individuals problem-solve, make social adjustments to different people, learn responsibility, and gain skills to increase self-esteem.

By attending camp, they can focus on what they can do, not what they can't.

A good part of providing increased independence is creating opportunities for children with disabilities and their families to rest, rejuvenate, and have lots of fun," Williams said. "Participants benefit considerably from camping and recreation, gaining self-confidence, revealing hidden talents and interests, and building social skills and friendships."

MassMutual and its SpecialCare[SM]" Program support Easter Seals' recreational programs for individuals with disabilities and special needs by sponsoring its "Walk With Me" event. This is a one-, three- or five-mile fundraising walk held in more than 40 cities nationwide. It's designed to raise funds for rehabilitative, recreational and support services for the special needs community. All funds raised by participants-including MassMutual agents-benefit local Easter Seals affiliates. MassMutual is a regional sponsor of the "Walk With Me" event.

The Wonders of Play On Boundless Playgrounds

"Universally accessible" are becoming buzzwords in the recreation industry. In the same way that the USARC encourages those with disabilities and special needs to conquer the slopes, and Easter Seals offers them the rigors of camping, Boundless Playgrounds[C] enables all children to reach the highest deck in the playground and become king or queen of the hill.

Play is a fundamental joy of childhood and an important way for children to navigate the world. Six million children in the United States have a disability that prevents them from enjoying traditional playgrounds. Boundless Playgrounds empowers all children to experience independent, self-directed play, each at his or her own highest level of ability. Founded in West Hartford, Connecticut, Boundless Playgrounds will open its 100th barrier-free playground coinciding with the organization's 10th anniversary on October 26, 2006.

"Traditional playgrounds have ramps to nowhere for children in wheelchairs. They can't get up to the highest level with the other kids," said Amy Jaffe Barzach, co-founder and co-executive director, National Center for Boundless Playgrounds[R].

Playgrounds are not made accessible by simply removing architectural barriers, adding a transfer platform or ramp and counting the number of accessible components. A barrier-free playground eliminates the obstacles disabled children face so they can be in the middle of the fun and play side by side with other children, disabled or otherwise. (See Sidebar: Seven Components of a Barrier-Free Playground.)

It's a fact that positive playground experiences produce long-term benefits. "In the words of the Duke of Wellington, the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton," said Dr. Rick Rader, director of the Morton J. Kent Habilitation Center at Orange Grove, Chattanooga, Tenn., and editor-in-chief of Exceptional Parent Magazine. Eton, a posh British boarding school, is credited for producing many of Britain's military leaders.

"The battle of life is won on playgrounds," Rader continued. "They encourage and build self-esteem, participation, patience, trial and error, along with sensory perception across the life span. They also provide a great background for social integration and shared experiences."

Matthew Cavedon, age 16, co-chairman of the junior Advisory Board for Boundless Playgrounds, echoes Rader's sentiments. "Some people think of playgrounds as only a small part of childhood. In reality, playgrounds are like a democracy. They give opportunities for kids from all backgrounds to come together and have fun, regardless of race, gender or disability.

"In a kid's world, if I can play with you, then we're equals," said Cavedon. On a Boundless Playground, everyone is equal because everyone has an opportunity to play."

Cavedon was born with arthogryposis, a condition that prevents him from fully extending his joints. He uses a wheelchair and didn't know what he was missing until 10 years ago when he was asked to help design a playground accessible to children with and without disabilities. "Playgrounds are an incredible learning opportunity for all kids. Boundless Playgrounds guarantees that right," Cavedon said.

"Playgrounds teach children life skills," said Jean Schappet co-founder and co-executive director, National Center for Boundless Playgrounds. "What happens on the playground affects children throughout their lives."

When children are deeply immersed in play, they reach a point of engagement when they're in their own little world. This is a very productive stage in their development, according to Schappet. All children need the opportunity to engage in uninterrupted episodes of play. "When children are excluded from play, it has a profound negative impact on them," said Schappet.

Barzach wishes there would be more research on the positive academic impact of Boundless Playgrounds, although she sees the benefits on the children's smiling faces. School administrators at the William S. Baer School in Baltimore, Md., attributed the dramatic improvement in children's test scores to its Boundless Playground after it opened in 2001. The results held for three consecutive years of testing.

Barzach has her own personal dream for Boundless Playgrounds. [degrees]I would like Boundless Playgrounds to be the 'no smoking' of 2020," Barzach said. "In the short term, however, we're working with a number of major cities to open Boundless Playgrounds in their parks."

It looks like Barzach's wish may come true. Boundless Playgrounds has developed a Certified Model Program with support from seven major playground equipment manufacturers that will offer a selection of Boundless Playgrounds certified models in their catalogs and on their websites. Schappet said, "There will now be a greater variety of easy, efficient and cost-effective ways for communities to build barrier-free playgrounds."

Making a Positive Impact

CVS/pharmacy is launching a five-year, $25 million initiative to make life easier for children with special needs. "Children with disabilities have amazing potential to reach their goals and succeed in life," said Eileen Howard Dunn, vice president, Corporate Communications and Community Relations, CVS/pharmacy. "By working with the National Center for Boundless Playgrounds and Easter Seals as program partners in our signature program, CVS All Kids Can-, we will provide opportunities for children with disabilities to learn, play and succeed in life."

In addition to sponsoring Easter Seals' "Walk with Me" event, MassMutual-in conjunction with Exceptional Parent Magazinesponsors a "Disability Awareness Night" at various major league baseball parks throughout the country during the baseball season. This program pays special tribute to the contributions of 54 million Americans with disabilities, their families and caregivers. At a pre-game ceremony at home plate, the EP Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award-named after EP's founder--is presented to physicians, researchers, teachers, caregivers and concerned corporate citizens in recognition of their efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities and other special needs.

Hundreds of complimentary game tickets are given to disability organizations on behalf of MassMutual for games featuring a Disability Awareness Night. Thirty-six major and minor league teams participate in the program.

Company, FSB. MassMutual is on the Internet at www.massmutual.com SpecialCare[TM] is a program developed by the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) that provides access to information, specialists, and financial solutions that can help improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and other special needs and their families/caregivers. Insurance products offered through Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. Call today to learn more about how we can help. Or visit www.massmutual.com/specialcare.

About MassMutual

MassMutual Financial Group is the fleet name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliates, with more than 13 million clients and over $395 billion in assets under management at year-end 2005.

Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a mutually owned financial protection, accumulation and income management company headquartered in Springfield, Mass. MassMutual's major affiliates include: OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc. and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB. MassMutual is on the Internet at www.massmutual.com.

SEVEN COMPONENTS OF A BARRIER-FREE PLAYGROUND

1. Every child can reach the highest play deck.

2. Play structures are configured to accommodate predictable play behaviors.

3. It contains universally accepted pathways and services.

4. There are cozy spots for gathering in a small group.

5. There are swings and bouncers.

6. Children can easily access elevated sand tables and activity panels.

7. Everyone can be in the middle of the action!

(1) The Special Care Planner receives advanced training in estate and tax planning, special needs trusts, government programs, and the emotional dynamics of working with people with disabilities and other special needs and their families. The certificate program is offered by The American College in Bryn Mawr, PA, exclusively for MassMutual financial professionals. State insurance departments recognize that the Special Care Planner certificate program provides essential information on the profession of special care by granting continuing education (CE) credits (varies by state).

(2) Some states supplement certain benefit programs offered by the federal government through the Social Security Administration. Check with your local SSA office to see if it applies in your state.