Game on for kids of every ability
Barriers to fitness and fun are surmountable, while sports can boost self-esteem
Most children with different abilities want to play more sports or be more active, but only about half of these kids currently take part in physical education class. Studies show that success on the playing field or at the playground can lead to greater success educationally and socially — and sports can have a major positive impact on quality of life. Clearly, we need to do better.
Finding the right program that suits your children’s interests and needs can take research and effort. But parents, please do not despair. There are many resources available in Ontario that provide children with different abilities the opportunity to be physically active and play sport. People are actively working to improve access and opportunity to these resources for you and your child.
Language is a powerful tool and can improve access and opportunity for children with different abilities. “Disability” or “disabled” implies a lack of ability, while “different ability” affirms ability, and the children that I am speaking of are extremely able.
First, you need to consider whether your child might have a more positive experience playing sports and being active with peers of all abilities. It seems only natural that all children would benefit from a mixed sporting environment. Yet, I’ve spoken to some parents who worry their child may face injury, prejudice or isolation in a mixed sporting environment.
On the other hand, parents may want to seek out opportunities for their child to play with other children who share their physical difference, such as a tennis league specifically for children who use wheelchairs. These opportunities may make the early experiences of sport more enjoyable. Coaching staff, equipment, venues and even team socials will be focused towards maximizing the experience for this group of young athletes. However, these opportunities can sometimes be limited by the number of children in a given community and resources for ability-specific equipment, such as skis, bikes and sport wheelchairs.
Needless to say, it is understandable for parents to feel a bit overwhelmed by this mix of options and limitations.
Here are some tips to consider when researching fun, active opportunities for your child:
Remember every child will have their unique sporting preference, and it may have little to do with their ability (shorter people can still dream of being basketball stars).
Talk to your child; are they interested in playing with kids of varying abilities, or with a set of peers with similar abilities?
Perhaps the answer will be yes to both! As a side note, approximately 64 per cent of children with different abilities prefer to play sports with a mix of peers.
Use resources such as Ontario Blind Sports Association, Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association, ParaSport Ontario, Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association and Spinal Cord Injury Ontario to learn what is available in your part of the province.
The Canadian Paralympic Committee has “Find your Sport” and “Find a Club” tools on their website to search for local parasport clubs.
When all else fails, pick up the phone and call your local community centre or sport organization to see what it has to offer your child.
Remember, the joy of sports is universal, and most coaches just want to see children be involved and have fun.
If your local sport club has not yet had the privilege of working with a child/athlete with a different ability, give them a chance to do so.
It is always important to have positive role models in our lives. Admiring someone who looks like you, moves like you or to whom you can relate is motivating and affirming. Successful Canadians with different abilities are out there, living life fully as athletes, musicians, parents, professionals and community leaders. This fall is an exciting time, as Paralympians will compete in the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro Sept. 7 to 18.
These elite Canadian athletes, who were once boys and girls with different abilities, are great role models for all children, not only because of their athletic success, but many have interesting life stories and positive messages to share.
In my 20 years of experience working with athletes with a physical difference, ranging from grassroots participation to the Paralympic Games, I have learned that barriers to participation are surmountable. We must advocate for the right to play for every child. Sports and physical activity offer everyone, regardless of ability, the chance to boost self-esteem, make new friends, learn new skills and, most importantly, to have fun. Nancy Quinn is a sport physiotherapist and owner of Quinn Rehab Services in Barrie. She is a veteran of six Paralympic Games and has received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contribution to the Paralympic movement in Canada. A University of Toronto Masters graduate and current PhD candidate, she researches the intersection of sport, disability and media.