FUN WITH WATER BALLOONS AND WHEELCHAIRS
Kids show everyone can, should enjoy physical activity

Kids play with water balloons.

WASHINGTON, DC – On a blisteringly hot day recently, these kids found water balloons the most satisfying of all the sports equipment. They shot hoops, scaled a climber and learned how to keep a tennis volley going, but it was the water balloons that kept spirits high but body temperatures low.

Most of the youngsters in Terri Rozaieski’s daily therapy session at National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Washington, DC use wheelchairs. All appreciate the opportunity for active play, and Rozaieski says they all will benefit from it. “Obesity and inactivity are mainstream issues in America,” she said, “whether you have a disability or not. These kids need exercise—everyone does.”

Rozaieski, a former Paralympic athlete, has used a wheelchair since being injured as a teenager. “You can have a healthy lifestyle regardless of age or ability,” she said. “Exercise is a lifelong pursuit, and it doesn’t have to be structured—sometimes it’s important just to play. The health benefits can be the same.” Rozaieski is involved with the hospital’s chapter of BlazeSports America, which provides access to sports and recreation for adults and children with disabilities.

Experts say the likelihood that any of us will need such opportunities at some point in our lives is high. “Most of us can count on having some sort of disability or activity limitation,” said Amy Rauworth, associate director of the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, or NCPAD (“NIK-pad”). “Whether it’s chronic back pain or a muscular injury, a fracture, or something permanent, that means dealing with altered abilities as well as environmental barriers that present basic challenges to everyday life—or to staying physically active.” The key, says Rauworth, is to “overcome the barriers, enable the environment and empower the individual.”

Felicia Stoler, host of TLC’s show “Honey, We’re Killing the Kids”, also participated in the therapy session at NRH. Stoler sees inclusive fitness activities as aiding the healthy family lifestyles she advocates. She said, “All kids deserve a healthy life. Even kids with a disability can do exercise of some form or another, which minimizes the risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.”

The youngsters playing with balls and water balloons didn’t appear to be concerned with the health benefits of being physically active. Their focus was on fun, and the payoff was immediate.

About NCPAD

NCPAD is a federally funded non-profit whose mission is to serve as a national resource center for information on physical activity and disability. Information is available at www.ncpad.org or 800-900-8086.