At the NSCD, students meet their physical, emotional, social and cognitive goals by participating in sports ranging from skiing to horseback riding. Our participants regularly tell us that their successes on the ski slopes or on the field have given them confidence to face other challenges in everyday life, such as going to college, starting a business or applying for a new job. Adaptive sports also allow family members and friends to actively participate in a sport together. Children and adults with disabilities also grow socially by interacting with people in an environment where differences are accepted and welcome. Some participants also experience physical improvements like increased balance, strength and flexibility. Finally, the mental processing required to make travel arrangements, lesson reservations and preparations for outdoor activities, combined with learning during lessons, contribute to cognitive growth. These are some of the reasons hospitals, mental health agencies, schools, adult day care centers, families and other organizations regularly participate in our programs.
Alpine Skiing
Alpine skiing has been a familiar mountain activity for centuries. Once relegated to those required to travel through the deep snows of steep mountain sides it is now a popular activity for new and seasoned enthusiasts alike. The beauty of alpine skiing for people with special needs is its therapeutic value and adaptability. Just think of the freedom allowed by a gravity driven sport with equipment designed to smoothly slide over the snow, or the social integration that occurs when joining classes or groups of individuals in a popular activity, to say nothing of the physical, cognitive, and emotional growth that happens when children and adults with special needs engage in alpine skiing.
Some folks choose to stand ski for part of the day and sit ski for the remainder to develop strength and balance as well as meet their endurance needs. Sit down or stand up skiing devices are compatible with the chairlifts and surface lifts at the ski area.
Adapted alpine skiing is all about meeting the needs of each individual through specialized equipment or teaching methods. For more information on the types of equipment used click the equipment and techniques link.
Cross Country Skiing
What more beautiful recreation than crossing quiet alpine meadows and forested trails? Cross-country skiing can be low or high aerobic exercise, both for stand-up and sit-down skiers. Those choosing to go the high aerobic route, like hand cyclists and wheelchair racers, use a cross-country sit-ski during the winter to stay in shape year-round. Sit-skiers rely on arm movement to propel their skis, and equipment makers are now developing new sit-skis that add kick to each push and more glide from each arm movement. Standing skiers use long, skis with bindings and boots that attach your toes, but not heels, to the ski. Cross-country skiers exercise muscle groups in their arms, backs and abdominals (plus legs for standing skiers). Since cross-country skiing simulates the movements of walking it is an exceptional therapeutic tool for those who are looking to improve leg strength, balance and gait. From games on skis to a lively pursuit race across the undulating trails of the forest cross-country skiing offers fun for everyone.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding, with its roots in skateboarding and surfing, has quickly become the hippest winter sport since it entered the scene about 15 years ago. Early snowboards had fins, and riders actually used laces to attach their feet to the board. Incorporating some of the technology of skis has improved the equipment, and boarders now wear special boots that lock into bindings on the snowboard. Good news for beginners: in this sport, it's cool to be seen sitting in the snow. Instruction is available to most students who are able to stand, and students don't need independent leg action because both feet are attached to the board. Adaptations can include moving the binding placements on the board or using outriggers to help with balance. Riders include people with spina bifida, blindness or low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, amputation, brain injury and developmental disabilities. Like Alpine skiers, snowboarders see improvements in leg and trunk strength as well as enhanced balance.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is another sport that can get you into forested areas of the mountains -- or through the soccer field across the street after a good snow. This activity can more aerobic than walking because your snowshoes sink slightly into the powder with each step. Snowshoers need to be able to walk with independent leg action, but using poles or a walker with skis mounted on the legs can help with balance and add to upper body strength. An excellent workout for your hip flexors! Because you sink slightly into the snow, this is an aerobic activity that also can help improve your balance. Balance, leg strength, cognitive processing and increased spatial awareness are other benefits of snowshoeing
Ski Racing
A more extreme cousin to recreational downhill skiing, ski racing is a great workout for advanced skiers looking to hone their skills. Regular on-hill and in-gym workouts combine balance drills, edging drills and gate training with dry-land cross-training such as biking, aerobics and weight training. And it never hurts to get a medal for your efforts! Regular training on the slopes improves the benefits standing skiers see in muscle tone in their legs and trunk and sit-down skiers see in their backs and arms. Balance and reaction times are also heightened further because of the faster speed at which you're skiing.
Equipment
Three-track:
Individuals use one ski and two outriggers, which are forearm crutches with ski tips mounted to the bases. Primarily used by people who have one stronger leg. Candidates for three-track skiing might include people with leg amputations, post-polio or trauma that affects primarily one leg.
Four-track:
Individuals use two skis and outriggers or slider which is a walker type device mounted upon skis. A metal "ski bra" or a bungee cord between skis often gives more control to feet and legs. Outriggers and sliders help people who lack lateral control of their legs; use crutches, canes, etc.; fall forward, walk on toes or lean heavily on crutches or walker; or have a pronounced backward lean. Candidates for four-track skiing might include people with cerebral palsy, polio survivors, spina bifida, arthrogryposis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, congenital disabilities or traumatic injury.
Bi-ski:
Individuals ski in a rigid seat mounted upon two asymmetrically cut skis. Some students use hand-held outriggers, while others ski with fixed outriggers attached to the bi-ski. This equipment provides greater stability than a mono-ski and is used by people who use wheelchairs or ambulate with difficulty using crutches, canes or walkers. Candidates for bi-skiing might include people with cerebral palsy, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, and multiple amputations.
Mono-ski:
Individuals sit in a molded seat that is mounted to a single ski and use hand-held outriggers. The mono-ski is the most difficult sit-down equipment to use because it requires the greatest balance and strength. It is designed for people with diagnoses such as double amputations and spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy.
About Adaptive Sports & Therapeutic Recreation
For many, the NSCD offers people with disabilities unique physical activity activities that also incorporate therapeutic processes unique from rehabilitative settings. These processes are referred to as Therapeutic Recreation which is defined as the specialized application of recreational activities that assist in maintaining or improving the health status, functional capabilities, and ultimately the quality of life of people with special needs. Because play and leisure are fundamental to a healthy lifestyle, therapeutic recreation can make a significant contribution to people’s health and well-being.
