FeedsSoon to expire grant helps physically impaired athletes
Soccer, swimming, hockey, golf and even martial arts are just some programs now available for athletes with special needs.
It’s all due, in part, to a county grant that helps fund Therapeutic Recreation programs throughout western Wayne County.
The concept of therapeutic recreation isn’t new and neither is the grant from the Wayne County Parks millage.
Wayne County Department of Public Services Parks and Recreation Division provided $200,000 in funding for such programs from a grant begun in 2004. That funding established the Western Wayne County Therapeutic Recreation (WWCTR) that helps distribute money for the communities involved. Canton, Dearborn, Livonia, Northville, Plymouth, Van Buren, Wayne and Westland.
Persons with disabilities are able to take part in various programs, events, activities and sports because of the grant.
Jessica Hohenburger, a certified therapeutic recreational specialist, is the WWCTR Coordinator based at the Summit in Canton Township. She feels the grant money is extremely helpful in bringing these programs to those that need them.
“Most of the programs provided would not have been able to continue without the help of the grant money,” she said. “It also allows communities to make the programs more affordable for participants.”
Some programs like the popular Adapted Swim Lessons and Sled Hockey hosted at the Summit and Arctic Edge in Canton would be hard to maintain without the help of the WWCTR programs, she said. Others events like Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy! (Aug. 12), which is offered through a combination of the Van Buren and Westland therapeutic recreation departments along with the WWCTR and the WWCTR Canoe Outing (Sept. 9) in conjunction with the Westland Therapeutic Recreation Program (TRP) are made more affordable ($13.50 and $15 respectively) for those in Wayne County wishing to participate. Costs are a little higher for non-residents.
Westland Parks and Recreation, which just received an award for Excellence in Programming for “offering a variety of recreational activities and programs for people with impairments in the West Wayne County community” from the Michigan Recreation and Park Association, has offered therapeutic recreation for 25 years in one form or another, according to Westland Therapeutic Supervisor Margaret Martin.
Four years ago, Westland TRP teamed up with Westland Special Olympics and created a golf class and golf team with cooperation with Westland Municipal Golf Course. Last year they formed the Motor City Eagles Power Soccer team that allows power wheelchair users to play soccer with an oversized ball and nets on a basketball court. The Westland TRP also co-sponsors the Westland Wizards Wheelchair Basketball team and the Warriors of Westland Sports Team for the Physically Impaired that includes practice and competition in sports like track, field, bocce, swimming, bowling, slalom, weightlifting and rifle shooting.
“Some of the therapeutic recreational programs are a part of the recreation budget through the City of Westland,” Martin said. “But the money from the county has definitely eased some of the pain for us.”The grant made it possible for Westland TRP to partner with the WWCTR to offer new programs like an adapted martial arts class for children available to all Wayne County residents, according to Martin.
Van Buren township, on the other hand, did not have a strong therapeutic recreation program but that changed with the grant in 2004, according to Jennifer Morris, Van Burens’ deputy director of recreation and facilities.
“We have offered a few therapeutic classes in the past but with this grant we can offer more activities,” she said.
“A few times a year meetings are held for all communities in western Wayne to brainstorm ideas on what community would like to offer various therapeutic classes. We don’t want to compete with communities so the programs are varied at each recreation department.”
Hohenberger said the programs help on a variety of levels like increase social interaction, self confidence, independence, stimulation and coordination, functioning of mind and body, motivation to take new risks and increase community integration skills.
“It is very important for people with disabilities to have leisure and recreation in their lives,” she said. “Sometimes they don’t adapt properly; these programs help. Also with these programs communities show an interest to provide for everybody in the community regardless of disability or not.”
“Parents are amazed to learn we have specific programs for children with special needs,” added Morris. “So they are pleased to find out their community they live in can offer such a range of programs. At Van Buren Township we believe in ‘Access for All.”Although the grant provides more funding for more programs, therapeutic recreation, on a whole, isn’t a new idea.What is new is the fact that the grant that had helped enrich these programs will expire in September. The communities that take part in them are hoping for a renewal.
Hohenberger is required to submit progress of the programs to the county.“The county will determine if and for how long to extend the grant,” she said. “I think there are enough people interested now and that would be disappointed if it is not renewed.”
She said if it is renewed the she hopes to expand some of the more successful programs.
“We definitely want to see the grant continue for many years to come,” Morris said. “The word is getting out about the program but more still needs to be accomplished. ‘Creating community through people, parks and programs’ are words to live by. So with the assistance of this grant program we can continue to offer the residents a community without limitations.”
For more information on WWCTR or to find schedules of upcoming therapeutic programs go to www.WWCTR.org. or contact your local recreation department or Jessica Hohenberger at 734-394-5483.
