Hello everyone! Allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Anjee Roth, and I will be helping out with the website this year. I’ve had the opportunity to put together this month's Adaptive section, so I hope you enjoy it!

It is hard to believe November is here already. The leaves are changing color and falling from the trees, there is an all-to-familiar chill in the air, and winter is fast approaching. So, hopefully you will find in here some stories that will touch your heart and warm it up.

The section this month has some different features in it. We have two stories of courage and hope. The first is Tim Ashwood's story. Tim is living with Cerebral Palsy, and has developed his own therapy, which he calls "Adventure Therapy." And, we have Matt Bell's story. Matt was in an accident 5 years ago that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Through this unfortunate circumstance, Matt has worked hard to become part of the National Ski Patrol.

I have also made a section with some ideas on how people with certain disabilities can still exercise. There is information on arm ergometers, as well as many different types of bikes. Bikes for people who may need more balance while riding, to those individuals who need to be able to pedal a bike with their hands.

I have compiled some tips that will help people who may want to teach or take aerobics. It goes through some ways aerobics can be modified for people who may not be able to fully stand up to participate, as well as for those athletes who may struggle with impaired balance and coordination.

Lastly I have added some information on working with paraeducators in the physical education classroom. The information helps describe what the paraeducator's role is, as well as what the physical educator's role is in helping the child remain physically active. Have a wonderful November!

Angela Roth
Adapted Section Editor

As technology continues to advance, we are able to benefit from the changes. There are many new innovations that can help people with disabilities feel less segregated from society, and help them to enjoy the benefits of physical exercise as well.

Achievable Concepts has a number of arm ergometers for people with disabilities. Arm ergometers allow people who may have lost motor movement in their lower extremities to still enjoy a cardio vascular work out by using their arms. Some have the ability to strap hands in, so that people who don't have the ability to grasp objects are still able to use the ergometers. A variety of different types are offered, ranging from catering to elite athletes, to the home exerciser with a limited budget. For specific types and more helpful information visit Achievable Concepts.

There are many different types of cycles available for people who have disabilities, who still want to enjoy getting outside and exercising. Specifically, there are different types of bicycles that allow a person to bike using only their hands.

For example, Handcycles can be used by people of any age. The bike can be pedaled and steered using one arm if needed. This enables the rider to reach for gears, brakes, or water without losing momentum. The bike can also be tilted in a number of directions easily, to adjust for paraplegics or quadriplegics.

Another type of bike is the Australian made Recumbent, which can be used by people with a range of disabilities, some of which include poor balance, reduced leg function or power, single leg amputation, or back pain. The bike is also designed for long rides, so it has been styled for comfort for long hours of riding.

Lastly are the adult and teenage Gomier Trikes which come in a single speed and are great for both adults and teens. They can allow people who may have problems with balance enjoy riding bikes again. Most come with the option of Velcro peddle straps to help prevent slipping. These bikes can also be used as transport vehicles.

Tim Ashwood's Story
For anyone who has struggled with a disability, there are many stories of hope and courage. This is Tim Ashwood’s story of his struggle and triumph in living with Cerebral Palsy. His site was set up to record how climbing and hiking has helped him to improve his Cerebral Palsy. He has titled his activities "adventure therapy."

His "therapy" consists of working with weights, stretching, climbing and hiking for 30-40 hours a week. He also states that this therapy has been shown to improve his balance, coordination, gait, as well as strength and endurance. Here is one of his stories in adventure therapy.

"I first got into climbing back in 1995 with a desire to climb Long's Peak, which would make me the third generation of Ashwoods to climb it. I have always loved hiking in the mountains, but had never even done a class four hike, so I decided to try to do some technical rock climbing. I contacted Jim Thurmond at the Goodlife Climbing Gym, and we set up a time to go climbing. Jim and I would soon become good friends and jumar up the Diamond together (part of the camaraderie of climbing).

My first climbing adventure was just outside St. Louis, right off the river, at a place called Mammoth Cave. First, we had to rappel about 80 feet down the cliff in front of the massive cave. This was the scariest part, for I had a tremendous fear of heights. At this point, I couldn't get within a couple feet of a cliff without losing my balance - even with two ropes tied to me. On my first rappel, I fell twice before getting to the edge of the cliff. Following my first rappel, I was able to get close to the cliff, and rappel without falling or losing my balance. The first time I stepped backwards off of a cliff, my heart was racing with knots in my stomach.

After I had rappelled down a few feet, I became immersed with the view and gained a respect for rappelling, even though I still had knots in my stomach. Jim rappelled down after me and found a place to set up my first climb. Because of my cerebral palsy, I didn't think I would be able to climb it on my first try, but I've always believed nothing ventured, nothing gained, so I started up." Read the rest of this story.

Adaptive Aerobics- To sit or not to sit?
The following article talks about helpful solutions and options for those with disabilities to get the best out of Adaptive Aerobics.

"To Sit or Not to Sit - this is a question for both the participant and the instructor in Adaptive Aerobics. While some athletes have no choice, being confined to wheelchairs or having mobility limitations that impair balance or coordination, those athletes able to stand in an aerobics or step class should be encouraged to do so. Even if they cannot perform all the movements, or if they cannot use the step, the fact that they can use the large muscle mass in the lower extremities to generate oxygen demand means that they will achieve a training effect much more easily than just using their upper body muscles.

This is appropriate when integrating disabled athletes into the general population health club classes. For example, if a prosthesis limits the ability of an athlete to perform a pivot turn step on the bench, demonstrate an alternative step sequence that moves and turns the athlete's orientation identically as your pivot turn step does in the same number of beats. You will find that the disabled athlete is not the only participant in your class who uses this alternative step sequence!" Read the rest of this article...

Modifications for standing athletes in aerobics
Even for those athletes who are able to stand, there may still be problems with balance and coordination. The following two articles provide ideas on how aerobics can be modified to meet individual needs of those who may struggle with impaired balance or coordination.

Athletes with Impaired Balance:
"The impaired balance may be due to amputation, or stroke; regardless of the cause of impaired balance, you should assess the athlete's ability to maintain balance. If the athlete's focus on maintaining balance outweighs his ability to exercise vigorously, he may be more appropriate to be seated in the class. Primarily, when you select movements for your class of standing athletes, keep in mind that the movements and sequences should prevent or minimize the possibility of falls." Read the rest of this article...

Athletes with Impaired Coordination:
"Athletes with impaired coordination who are able to exercise standing up should be encouraged to do so, but these guidelines are applicable to both standing and seated aerobics classes for these athletes. Coordinating movement patterns is generally related to motor control of the muscles due to brain injury or brain or neurological disease (CP, MS, head injury, stroke). Spasticity of the muscles can complicate the coordination impairment." Read the rest of this article...

Working with Paraeducators in the Physical Education Program - Found at PE Central.
"Paraeducators can provide strong, multidimensional support for students' success in the physical education classroom settings, i.e. gymnasium, locker room, outdoor environment.

Physical education teachers should expect the paraeducator to come to physical education class with the student with a disability. IDEA 2004 states that paraeducators should assist in the provision of special education services to students with disabilities. Since physical education is defined as part of special education in the IDEA 2004 law, the expectation should be to have the paraeducator in the physical education class when students with disabilities are participating.

The physical educator should work closely with the paraeducator to develop and implement the student's IEP goals, and help students with disabilities participate fully in the activities of the physical education lesson."

Find out how physical education teachers should collaborate with the paraeducator, and find out about responsibilities of paraeducators.

Find some excellent ways to exercise from a wheel chair at Exercise in a Wheelchair: Part One & Part Two.

Adapted Games & Activities - from Human Kinetics. A book that provides a wealth of games to get your students and participants moving and having fun, regardless of their cognitive or physical ability levels.

Inclusive Games - Book at Amazon.com. Look for a 'used' book price. Basically, the book is about effective ways to ensure that everyone in your class is challenged according to his or her own capabilities. Inclusive Games presents more than 50 games and hundreds of game variations. The book also shows you how to adapt almost any game so that children of all capabilities can practice, play, and improve their physical activity skills.