Preprogram-Survey for 21 Day CHALLENGE to Feel Great & Improve your Performance!

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This is a three week challenge (21 days)! Contact me, Jillian at Jillian.Schumacher@rhin.com (to send me your address) if you are interested in taking part in this program -- I promise you will feel great!

Do this to take part:
1. You let me know you are interested (email me with your address, so i can send you the challenge booklet.)
2. You take the online quiz (here) as a "pre test."
3. I will mail you the booklet (free).
4. You review and complete the booklet for 21 days.
5. You take the online quiz (here) as a "post test." after 21 days.

 

Making gardening easier for everyone

I reviewed an article by Jaipi Sixbear, and am interested in creating a bed similar to this, the ones found in the photos.  We have decided to make the bed as long lasting (8-15 years) and as comfortable and accessible as possible for a user. We will there for Create a “Table” at 32 inches high, for a wheelchair and a person’s knees to fit comfortably under it. We will then create an 8 inch high box (by 8 feet long), that will be filled with soil. We will dig area for 6 posts to act as the “legs” and the stabilizing foundation of the table. These wholes will be partially filled with concrete.  Of course, we will drill holes, into the table, for water drainage.

The following photos are examples of what our vision is...

Styles for accessible gardens. Contact accessiblegardens@cox.net for more info. Retrieved 30 March 2011 from http://www.accessiblegardens.com/styles.php                        

The article that most closely resembles my vision, by Jaipi Sixbear reads...

Physically [disabled] Denver gardeners will be glad to know there is a gardening technique for them. A wheelchair accessible raised bed garden is quite simple to construct. Physically [disabled] gardeners no longer have to give up their favorite pastime.


The Table

To construct a wheelchair accessible raised bed garden, you will need a cheap banquet table. Bring the table outdoors and choose a permanent sunny location where it will be accessible from all sides. More than one table may be used for avid physically handicapped gardeners.

Stabilizing

Loosen the soil where the legs of the banquet table sit. Push the legs of the future wheelchair accessible raised bed garden into the ground until the ground meets the horizontal bar of the legs. Pack soil down around the legs to create a stable garden for physically handicapped gardeners.

Accessibility

The raised bed garden surface should now be about 6 inches lower than a normal table. This is plenty of room for a wheelchair to slide under. Handicapped gardeners should be able to easily reach the garden from either side.

Construction Options

There are two ways to construct the wheelchair accessible raised bed garden. One is to use actual pots. The other is to build a square frame box, open on top, which fits perfectly on the tabletop. Physically handicapped gardeners may need help with construction.

Mounting Small Pots

When using pots, there are two ways to mount them. Smaller pots may be screwed into the table top. Drainage holes must be drilled through the raised bed garden table under and through each small pot.

Mounting Large Pots

Larger pots will have to extend below the surface. This is accomplished by cutting a hole one inch smaller than the top rim of a ceramic pot in the table and simply inserting the pot. The rim of the gardening pot should hold it in place.

Sizing the Box

When building the square frame box, keep in mind that it must be deep enough for soil but shallow enough for physically handicapped gardeners to reach over from both sides of the table. The box is attached by screwing it to the wheelchair accessible garden table.

Box Drain Holes

Once the box is firmly attached to the wheelchair accessible garden and weatherproofed, drain holes will need to be drilled. Physically handicapped gardeners may be able to accomplish this step or they may need help. Drill holes through both the box and the table simultaneously for drainage.

Ready to Plant

The wheelchair accessible garden table is now complete and ready for planting. Fill the pots or the box with proper soil mix for raised bed gardening. Physically handicapped gardeners will enjoy this raised bed gardening table whether or not they are wheelchair bound.



Note : Pots or flats may also be simply placed on the table. Securing them provides better stability for physically handicapped gardeners.

Sixbear, J. (2009) How to build a wheelchair accessible raised bed garden. Dever gardening examiner. Published 16 July 2009. Retrieved 30 March 2011 from http://www.examiner.com/gardening-in-denver/how-to-build-a-wheelchair-accessible-raised-bed-garden

AmeriCorps Project Site 2011

AmeriCorps Improving Health Throughout Indiana's (AIHTI)--AmeriCorps Project 2011, we will colaborate efforts with this nonprofit in the city and raise a couple of beds, to accomodate reach of individuals who use wheelchairs for mobility. 

Here is a glance at the pre-project site...

Dirt filled garden beds

On hand resources...

...5 gallon buckets & Portable Water Tank/Barrel

More Bed views

Columns of bed rows

Disability Awareness Month at middle school

During part of this schools focus on Disability Awareness Month, with wheelcchair tennis athletes, we demonstrated wheelchair tennis in a school of the local community.

Pairs: students with the athletes

VERSUS



       Pair: faculty with athlete : )

Yoga Resources for People with Disabilities

Yoga Resources for People with Disabilities

Yoga Resources for People with Disabilities
by Kim Donahue, Disaboom
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Stretching is always helpful for the body. Yoga is a great way to calm your body, stretch your mucles. Even better, it's accessible to people with disabilities.

Yoga Helps All Disabilities

The gentle stretching of yoga and its centered-breathing discipline can benefit people who may have arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, or osteoporosis as well as those who have had a stroke. The “asanas,” or poses that make up a yoga practice can also help with balance and strength while helping you find a calming emotional space that helps not only with healing, but also with the day-to-day challenges of life.

In addition, notes the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD), yoga aids your:

• Digestive system, as the bending and stretching poses stimulate the digestive system
• Cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary systems (also known as your heart and lungs!), as the more active poses increase heart rate and lung capacity through aerobic activity
• Lymphatic system (essentially, the primary component of your immune system), which needs strong muscles and active interaction among the lungs, diaphragm, and thorax to stay strong
• Skeletal and muscular systems, which benefit from yoga’s focus on proper alignment, flexibility, and muscle-strengthening

Learning More About Yoga for People with Disabilities

One of the best free sources of information regarding yoga and its benefits is the NCPAD’s website section, “Yoga for Individuals with Disabilities.”

Included among its overviews, articles, videos, and online demonstrations are information about yoga’s benefits, yoga equipment, what to expect in a yoga session, demonstrations of specific exercises, a resource list, a directory of yoga organizations (definitely needs updating/expanding), and a relatively current (2005 is most recent publication date) list of books and articles about yoga for various conditions.

Although it would be great if this resource list could be updated, it is still nevertheless a great starting point to check out what’s been written about yoga and your specific condition.

So why not make yoga part of your September stretch – you’ll find the “Yoga for Individuals with Disabilities” website just what you need to get started.

Other Yoga for People with Disabilities Resources:

Chair Yoga Get Fit Where You Sit™
Reconnecting with My Body--Through Yoga
Yoga for People with Multiple Sclerosis
Yoga for the Lower Extremity Amputee: Intro and Part One
Yoga for the Lower Extremity Amputee: Part Two
Eight Simple Yoga Poses for Headache and Neck Pain
Yoga and Disability: Matthew Sanford Builds Bodies and Life Skills
Exercise for Energy


See Related Articles

Keeping an exercise routine intact as you age is important. See Staying Fit After 50: What To Do and Where To Go on how (and where) to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

See Resistance Band Workout for Wheelchair Users for more exercise routines you can perform in your chair.

Donahue, K. (n.d.). Yoga Resources for People with Disabilities. Disaboom: Live forward.
     Disaboom.com.

Getting back to the hub after your serve

Athlete: They were telling me, last week, to always turn after my serve to get back to the hub.  I don't want to turn my back on the the return though...

Coach: It is important to get in the back court after your returns, to prepare to get to the ball again.  On the serve, use your other hand to pull back on that wheel, so it's one fluid motion, you won't start and stop then.

Coach: See, and when i go back and turn, I can turn my shoulders back too, where you can't because you need to keep your other had on the wheel.  But when i'm back like this, it's all arm.  No wrist.  We'll work on that....

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PASSED!! -- S. 1275. National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition Establishment Act

S. 1275 would establish the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, which is a charity and nonprofit corporation.  This newly established foundation would not be an agency of the United States government and would not accept federal dollars or contracts.  The stated intent of the foundation would be to “further the purposes and functions” of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

The progression S. 1275 (Establishment Act):
Introduced on 06/16/09
Senate passed on 12/09/10
House passed on 12/14/10
President Barack Obama signed on 12/22/10

Official Summary
6/16/2009--Introduced.National Foundation on Physical Fitness and Sports Establishment Act - Establishes the National Foundation on Physical Fitness and Sports as a charitable, nonprofit corporation to promote participation by private organizations in the activities of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Subjects any person who uses the Council's or Foundation's official seal or any trademark, trade name, sign, symbol, or insignia falsely representing association with, or authorization by, the Council or Foundation for the purpose of trade, to induce the sale of any goods or services, or to promote any theatrical exhibition, athletic performance, or competition without the Foundation's consent to a civil action for remedies provided in the Trademark Act of 1946. Allows the Foundation, in conjunction with the Council, to authorize contributors and suppliers of goods or services to use such trade name, trademark, seal, symbol, insignia, or emblem in advertising under specified conditions.

Info retrieved Janurary 2011 from http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s1275/show

A 21-Day Strategic Plan to Feel Great!

I am currently developing a program to implement with the athletes of the w/c tennis team, quad rugby team, and the power soccer teams.  I created this pamphlet (cover page, displayed here) to guide and motivate them to follow the program.  I want to find out if they really do see any difference in their energy or how they feel!!

  At the conclusion of this 21-day program, we expect paticipants to increase knowledge and improve behaviors related to healthy lifestyles, as indicated by the results of the instruments used. We expect participants to make personal lifestyle changes, by creating healthier routines and making them a part of their daily lives -- improving their athletic performance!

FREE Bike Repair Clinics!

FREE Bike Repair Clinics! --
  I am preparing to impliment the Sociable Tandem Cycle Recreation Program (STCRP) with athletes here... so I'm participating in the following workshops (as some "train the trainer" training).  I'll transfer this cycle maintenance knowledge to general Wheelchair Manintenance classes that I'll lead too.  These are the clinincs I'm going to....

Service Clinics:

Tires/Tubes/Flat Repair:
Stranded again with a flat tire? Don't let this happen anymore. Fixing your tire is easier than you think. Let us show you how to perform this simple repair and keep your bike rides rolling.

General Maintenance:
Learn the basics to keep your bike in shape and increase its life. This clinic will cover proper lubrication, cleaning, and minor brake/derailleur adjustments.

Drive Train Care:
Ghost shifting, slipping gears, broken chains? Increase the performance of your drive train. Chain cleaning, installation and removal, and derailleur adjustments are all covered in this clinic.

Wheel Truing:
Let us show you how to straighten a bent wheel. This clinics covers the basics of wheel truing and includes broken spoke replacement. This is a hands on class for all participants.

USQRA Season Games 11/20/2010

2010 Quad Rugby League Games
As you know, the game of quad rugby was originally developed (called Murderball) as a game that people with quadriplegia could participate in... (Read more on its brief description at http://quadrugby.com/qr-brief.htm)

All taped up and patiently waiting for the quad rugby matches to begin....

...on a cool foggy morning, teams arrive at the Sports Complex, to rumble 

Apologies for the lack of action shots.... I was orientating and ensuring that accurate records were kept by "volunteers in training" keeping score on the official USQRA score sheets.  Plus we played a few pick-up games where I, as well as one of the local w/c Tennis athletes with paraplegia participated!!!   

Oh... we cleaned the scuffs of the courts after the wheelchair rumble with Lift Off 2!!!  It removed rubber awesomely ; ) 

(Yes, those marks just above were removed after this shot:)

Berkeley Bionics: Introducing eLEGS

WATCH THIS!!  --  WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS... COMMENTS?



Berkeley - A company called Berkeley Bionics has launched a new product called eLegs. The wearable, artificially intelligent bionic device allows people who have lost function of their legs to stand and walk.

Berkeley Bionics makes exoskeletons that "augment human strength, endurance and mobility." Today the company announced its new eLEGS product which is based on early work at the Berkeley Robotics and Human Engineering lab.

Announced at a press conference in San Francisco today, eLEGS allow a disabled or paraplegic person to walk as though they have full control over their lower body. The company says its knee flexion technology is better than competing exoskeletons which translates into the most natural human movement available by robotics today.

“Many of the six million Americans who live with some form of paralysis today were highly active and at the top of their game when they sustained their injury," said Berkeley Bionics’ CEO, Eythor Bender. "As they research their options for increased mobility, they discover wheelchairs are pretty much it. This has been the only alternative – their only hope – for nearly 500 years.

Bender says eLEGS allow disabled people to stand up and walk for the first time since their injury.

The company says walking speed depends on the patient's aptitude and condition, but it's not impossible to reach speed of 2 mph (3.2 km/h). It can be made to fit most people between 5’2 and 6’4” and weighing 220 lbs or less, in minutes. In order to fasten oneself to the device, he or she uses Velcro straps, backpack-style clips and shoulder straps. eLEGS fits over the user's clothes and shoes.

The eLEGS exoskeleton is battery-powered and uses sensors within a gesture-based human-machine interface to determine movement. It pays attention to the gestures of the user and then attempts to determine the user's intentions by initiating movement. The company says a real-time computer monitors the sensors and input devices to coordinate every aspect of a single stride.

The device will first be offered to rehab centers to use under medical supervision, the company says, and clinical trials are set to start early next year in the U.S.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/298635#ixzz17Ghyq9DY


Hogg, C. (2010). Bionics: Introducing eLEGS. Digital journal. In the media. Berkeley. Retrieved Oct 7 2010 from http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/298635#ixzz14421yNMJ

League Day in December for Power Soccer of Indiana

...With a beautiful beginning to this Midwest winter day,

Duct tape fixes anything, in a pinch, even a broken foot rest...

 Today the referees were calling more two-on-one's than they had in the past--some teams were encouraged to "charge the ball", leading to groupings on the ball....

 In the picrture below, notice how spread out the white team is, this team's strategy seems to be to encourage each player to defend and maintain control of their area (i.e. left, center and right court); this type strategy does not lead to grouping on the ball, thus fewer two-on-one calls.... 

This athlete did her part to make the team whole--staying in the backcourt, protecting the goal--and enjoying every moment of the game....

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Q&A link on exercise for people with SCI

Question examples include:

Question: My question would entail exercise in general and at home without medical insurance. It seems as though I have gained so much (stomach) weight because of being much less active. My injury is neck related; I cannot put any pressure on it, which also includes much less use of my upper body. Thanks so much, in advance.

Question: Please become an author at http://www.lgtinc.org and promote your work. Thanks.


Question: I don't have a question -- but wanted to offer the NWBA website as a place to go to look up team representatives for wheelchair basketball www.nwba.org and www.wheelchairsoftball.org/ for wheelchair softball.

(Read all questions and answers here.)

Answers to questions submitted 10 March 2006. Requests for more questions will be asked for in the future.

Gilmore, B. & Holt, R. (2006).  RRTC on SCI: Promoting health & preventing complication through exercise. Ask the expers about daily living with a spina; cord injury (SCI)  Retrieved Nov 24 from http://www.bcm.edu/ilru/html/publications/SCI/library/AskDoctor/dr_march_06.htm.

;.(

Now I've got matching burns: One on he right elbow from a rubbing wheel of the rugby chair used to play a few "pick-up" games at the recent USQRA quad rugby season games...

...and The other from skidding out on my bike this morning during the ride to the airport to catch a shuttle -- I've said this multiple times and I'll say it again, MAKE YOUR ROADS BIKE FRIENDLY!! I've been encouraged by family members to "stay as far right as possible.. because cars ALWAYS WIN -- even when they are in the wrong." (notice the extreme lack of a shoulder, as found on Most roads..)
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Do Certain Personalities Have Greater Capacity for Exercise? | Psych Central News

If you have a high metabolism, you are more likely to have personality traits that will draw you to a five-mile run or a game of tennis.

On the flip side, if you have a slow metabolism, the couch may look much more appealing to you.
A recent article published in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution suggests that there is now enough research to back the concept that a fundamental link exists between an individual’s personality and their capacity to exercise or generate energy -- (Click here to read more).

Chavis, S. & Ed. Grohol, J. (2010). Do certain personalities have greater capacity for exercise?. Psych central news. U of New South Wales. Retrieved Nov 19 2010 from http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/10/14/do-certain-personalities-have-greater-capacity-for-exercise/19603.html

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w/c Tennis -- so fun!

If its coming to you low, meet it flat then turn the racket up.….

Let's work on forehands too... In this drill, you only score a point if you return the ball with a forehand :)

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Power Soccer practice: Four offense vs one defense (goalie)

Team vs Goalie...

THE OBJECT IS TO GET THE BALL IN THE GOAL (unless you're Becky, lol:).

This drill keeps the play going! Play begins with one ball available for each player.  But once a ball rolls out of bounds, its out of play and can not be inbounded again... 

This is a good drill!! It got a bit out of control when all the athletes were just hitting the soccer balls as hard as they could, but when prompted, each athlete kept their focus, and played like a team (usually focusing on one ball at a time).... This drill kept the athletes playing aggressively. Everyone enjoyed it! It is great for practices with a lack of a full team :)
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The Secret (is not ReallY secret, ha:)

What? You mean my attitude and the internal dialogue that goes on in my head affects stuff that goes on in my life? You mean constantly complaining about what's wrong is not going to change AnYtHiNg? Oh, okay, fine, I'll just do what I enjoy doing then.... and I'll talk about what I enjoy doing... Fine. If being happy, is all there is to being happy, I'll do it.. lol :)

If you truly want to find a system or program that works for you, follow your HEART, IT KNOWS. Not your mind, not your guilt, not your social standing, NOT YOUR EGO. Your heart knows. If something resonates with you, you FEEL IT. There is no other way to put it. I mean this about everything. You can FEEL IT. Not think it, not emote about it, but FEEL IT. You will know if it is right for you. Even on this page, if it's right for you, you'll feel it.


Bob Proctor on The Secret

**EXTREMELY EXCITING**

 (http://www.ncpad.org/get/video/real/tennis/22_commentary.jpg).
One week ago, as I participated in the Community Fitness night (in Gym 1) I met Kelly, who during introductory conversation I find out is a board member of the local Independent Living Center.  Within five minutes, I volunteered my assitance to any program they may need help with.  I was quickly invited to assist with their upcoming event.  Last evening I attended their committee meeting where I was quickly incorporated with making this an Inclusive Event.  It will be an extremely interactive and fun-filled festival day -- Including: showcase games by local snd regional (maybe national?) professional athletes, as well as all inclusive Pick-up games -- where people can Try the sport!!.... with quad rugby, wheelchair tennis (hopefully doubles: AB's + athletes using w/c's), power soccer, Solo-rider golfing, hand cycling, other cycle showcasing...

(http://wheelchairphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/quad-rugby_dsc0107.jpg)

   

A Metaphor for Rehabilitation: Finding Balance and Momentum

My creation phase...

Through the Mayo Clinic website, I have identified similar disparities in people who have experienced stroke, or mild to moderate traumatic brain injury. Symptoms identified include: (a) trouble with walking (loss of coordination, dizziness or loss of balance), (b) trouble with speaking and understanding or slurred speech, (c) headache. Other commonly co-morbid states of being of someone who has undergone trauma include (d) feeling depressed or anxious and (e) abnormal sleeping.

  The goal of this program is to eliminate or minimize the identified health disparities through implimentation of a program with a of behavioral and educational objectives.  The program will utilize physical, nutrition and maintenace capabilities -- via the Sociable Tandem Cycle Recreation Program and knowledge that "you are what you eat,"( for improved physical coordination and a Better Brain (Perlmutter & Colman, 2004). A pre post test will evaluate the regularity of participant’s level of symptom occurrence, as they are aware of them. This Sociable Tandem Cycle Recreation Program will include physical activity on a side-by-side tandem quadric-cycle and cycle maintenance education.

 Back on the bicycle...

                   Project Purpose: To eliminate health disparities in individuals who have experienced Stroke and(or) Traumatic Brain Injury

You can read the following at  H.O.P.E. for Stoke -- "Healing on Positive Energy":

Maybe you remember when you were a younger person and fell off of your bicycle when you were learning to ride.  Remember that feeling you had at that very moment. Your knees were bruised, hands cut and your pride bruised beyond recognition.  Many of us proclaimed through our tears that we would never ride that damn bike again.  Many of us, however, did get back on that bike and became proficient at it.   Others were determined to hold true to their conviction of not getting on that damn bike.  A few things helped us learn how to ride that bike - determination, balance and momentum.  Balance and momentum were the most important.  You could have had all the determination in the world, but if you didn't have balance and keep your momentum up, you fell again and again.  Why is it easier to stay on a bike while moving? - momentum and balance.  The same is true for stroke recovery. You can have all the determination in the world but if you do not have balance and momentum in your life, success is a tragedy.For example, if you stop whatever momentum you had in your recovery, you fall or go backward in your momentum. You also must balance your recovery, so you can build on your efforts over time. One can not do it all at once or postpone it till next week. You must balance your recovery and keep doing it at regular intervals, trying just a tad more at a time. Listen, even as Adults, we can fall off of that bike, get back on it. Ride,take that journey, you will be glad you did.

        Stroke Symptoms

          By Mayo Clinic staff
           Stoke:Symptoms

       Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
          By Mayo Clinic staff
          Traumatic Brain Injury: Symptoms