[humanser] Psychological benefits of sports

Mon Oct 12 23:17:07 UTC 2015

Hi Ginny,
I am the past president, and current secretary of an organization called
nasa, north American squirrel association www.nasasquirrel.org which
provides recreational opportunities for persons with disabilities, elders,
disabled vets and youth to access the outdoors.  Over the past few years, we
have had a significant increase of BVI participants, with many participating
in our shooting sports including deer hunting, pheasant hunting, and range
shooting.  One of the underlying psychological benefits I have personally
noticed, is that getting individuals into the outdoors, or involved in
something they want to be involved with, creates a positive mind-set.  Once
the individual realizes that they can still enjoy things that they once used
to do before losing their sight, or being involved in something that creates
a positive self-concept/image, this opens the doors for these individuals to
realize that this is just the first step to unlocking their untapped
potential.  Of course, this is relatively true for many of our disabled
participants in general, but I have personally seen more of the BVI
participants now start to become more involved in leadership roles within
our organization, and and with any luck, they will continue to realize their
potential and pursue other involvements, and perhaps, work activity.  The
psychological benefits are essentially something that cannot be measured
quantatively, but definitely in a qualitative aspect.  If you are interested
in finding out more, feel free to email me at blinddog3 at charter.net.  I
should also add that I am a 15 year member of our 9-member State's
Disability Advisory Council in which we advise the Department of Natural
Resources on access to the outdoors on all fronts, and have been involved in
many efforts to create more opportunities for the BVI to access the
outdoors.  

Hope this helps,
Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Merry
Schoch via humanser
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2015 5:47 PM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Cc: Merry Schoch
Subject: Re: [humanser] Psychological benefits of sports

Hi Ginny,

I received a bicycle from my church that was built with miscellaneous parts.
Yesterday my granddaughter and me went to the track that is near my home.  I
was pleased because no one was walking the track at the time we were there
and I was thrilled to ride my bike.  My granddaughter was not so thrilled as
it was a bit too warm for her so I went two laps and then home.  I plan on
doing it again soon and hope it cools  down here in Florida  so we can ride
our bikes together.

I must say I was excited and happy about our two laps but I desire more!  My
granddaughter also has roller skates so maybe I'll do that as well!

I love both of those exercises as well as swimming.

Hope you find what you are looking for on the sports and rec list.

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ginny Duff
via humanser
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2015 3:36 PM
To: humanser at nfbnet.org
Cc: Ginny Duff
Subject: Re: [humanser] Psychological benefits of sports

Hi all - I have to give a talk on the psychological benefits of sports for
those of us who are blind / visually impaired.   I've certainly got a lot of
ideas but wondered if any of you know anything from NFB about this -
speeches?   document?   
Thanks, 

So far I am focusing on the importance of pride in our bodies and abilities-
and that there is more right than wrong with us.  The value in learning to
trust and value our physicality.  The importance of breaking free of low
expectations.   Being rebellious and pushing the envelope.  The importance
of pure fun and exhileration.  The value of the group / the team - meeting
others with disabilities.  

Any other thoughts? 

Ginny

Dr. V. Duff
Clinical Director, West End ACT Team,
St. Joseph's Heatlh Centre , Toronto
Staff Psychiatrist, Complex Mental Illness, CAMH Lecturer, University of
Toronto
Tel:   416.530.6000, ext 3101
FAX:   416.530.6363

Sent from my iPad

> On Oct 11, 2015, at 6:22 PM, Carly Mihalakis via humanser
<humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Afternoon, Sarah,
> 
> I think that one is a fabulously productive suggestion, you can gather 
> a plethora of insight regarding client's psychology if he speaks in a 
> way he initially scribed those lyrics.
> CarAt 03:09 PM 10/11/2015, Sarah Meyer via humanser wrote:
>> Hi Kaiti,
>> I'm so glad you posted this question, as I am sure I will be facing 
>> similar ones very soon when I enter into my practicum next semester.
>> I wonder if another approach, rather than even typing the lyrics as 
>> the client reads, would be to record (with his permission) his 
>> reading of the lyrics out loud; perhaps this way you might even be 
>> able to go back and interpret some of the emotional cues.
>> 
>> I love what Dr. Duff pointed out about how having this open 
>> conversation about disability could open up new doors for 
>> vulnerability and further therapeutic work.
>> 
>> I am curious if other professionals in this field use readers or 
>> sighted colleagues for similar situations at times when scanning just 
>> won't work, as in cases with hand-written materials.
>> 
>> Thanks for introducing this topic, Kaiti!
>> 
>> --
>> Sarah K. Meyer
>> Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling/Social Psychology 
>> Ball State University Board Member, Human Services Division of the 
>> National Federation of the Blind sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com
>> (317)402-6632
>> 
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> 
> 
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