Tagged with: disability goals health Physical Activity A runner stands at the runner’s blocks waiting for the signal to take off. When the runner hears the signal, they find their stride, pace, and their movements fall into a rhythmic cadence. Their legs carry them a particular distance. They have developed and refined their skill through repetition. When they reach the finish line, they have likely achieved a faster time, improved a specific skill, or accomplished a personal goal.
Last week, the annual Honolulu Marathon took place. Out of all of the hundreds of racers, one name took the spotlight – Wakana Ueda. Wakana is just 11 years old, from Japan and is also blind. Last Sunday’s race was her first marathon. She crossed the finish line after 14 hours, 3 minutes and 12 seconds on the course. Her time may not be put into any record books, but finishing the marathon is a tremendous accomplishment.
Tagged with: adaptive equipment disabilities equipment exercise Physical Activity Right Fit The Slider As we finalize plans to attend the Medical Fitness Association Conference (MFA) in Orlando Florida and present Strength Conditioning for Individuals with intellectual, cognitive and developmental disabilities”, I remember the first discussions our trainers and friends had about designing a piece of fitness equipment to make specific strength and cardio exercises easier to perform for clients with disabilities.
My efforts to walk without devices frequently remind me of trying to unscramble a scrambled egg. An egg cannot be unscrambled because once heat is applied it changes the composition of the egg. Similarly, I am trying to defy existing patterns and mechanics I have used for 30 years to move and learn new ones.
Tagged with: Physical Activity Can you believe it? The newest research tells us that riding an exercise bike at the gym – going “all out” ten times in a row for one minute at a time (resting for a minute between sprints)- and doing that three times a week, is as good as riding a bike the regular way for 10 hours.
Tagged with: advocate disability hero holidays Physical Activity veterans If you have been watching the famous reality TV show,” Dancing with the Stars” you should be very familiar with the name “JR Martinez.” Although, even if you haven’t you still may have heard the name or at least “the talk.” People all over are talking about the war hero that has “won America’s heart” on the reality TV show, but who exactly is this man and why is he on a reality television show that only has so-called “celebrities” competing?
As a 9-year-old child, I weighed 125 pounds. Noticeably overweight for my size and frame, I was made fun of by my peers on a regular basis. But by plump figure was my own fault really. Yes I took steroids to regulate my disability (severe asthma) which increased my appetite, but the doctor’s notes I obtained regularly so that I could sit out during gym class is what really contributed to my large size.
Tagged with: Physical Activity wheelchair Anyone that knows anything about physical activity or about persons with a disability should know that physical activity is just as essential in the overall well being of someone with a disability as it is for someone without a disability. Physical activity is not only essential for the countless physical benefits, but the mental and emotional well being as well. Unfortunately, people with disabilities are less likely to engage in regular moderate physical activity than people without disabilities despite the fact that they have similar; if not an increased need to promote health and prevent unnecessary disease.
For those of us who always think that “if one is good two are better, researchers have some good news. The “more is better” folks can lay off the vigorous exercise and do more moderate exercise – and their health will improve.
Clay Walker, a multi-platinum country music artist discovered his passion for music at the age of 15 competing in community talent competitions. By the age of 17, he wrote and self-recorded his own song and hand delivered the tape to a local radio station. The radio station told the young boy that they did not play self-submitted tapes. However, they listened to his tape and confessed it was “too good to pass up.” He continued singing at local restaurants around Beaumont, Texas until the young singer’s talent was officially discovered in 1993. He has since released a total of 11 albums.
