A Community Collaboration Between IU Health and St. Vincent Health
Playing golf is a favorite pastime for many, but it can also be played on the more competitive level with no adaptations to the rules just the equipment.
Golf can be played by many individuals with different disabilities. For the individuals who might be unable to grip the club, there are gloves that secure the club to your hand. Individuals can also play golf directly from their wheelchair, in which case shorter clubs are often an effective adaptation. Specially designed golf carts are another great way for individuals with spinal cord or lower extremity injuries to play golf from an upright position by raising and lowering the seat. The cart is all hand controlled and the tires do not have treads, so you can take them onto the green. For additional information about golf please check out the following websites:
For additional information about GOLF National Amputee Golf AssociationAnyone looking for an outdoor adventure that is full of rushing rapids, challenging obstacles and gut-wrenching excitement needs to consider participating in RHI’s white water rafting event. This is usually a two day event where participants will get to travel to the site, camp and enjoy a weekend of rafting, great socialization, good food and experience the trip of a lifetime. Individuals who participate are not only learning the skill of rafting they are also enhancing self-efficacy, muscle strength and coordination, and self-fulfillment along with improving equilibrium and endurance. If you would like additional information about white water rafting please visit:
For additional information about WHITE WATER RAFTING Adaptive Adventures
Adaptive water skiing allows individuals with disabilities to experience the excitement and thrill of water sports. The RHI sports program provides adaptive water skiing events that helps increase a person’s overall physical fitness and self-confidence, and it decreases feelings of isolation and helplessness. The most common adaptation used for water skiing is the sit-ski. It allows individuals with limited balance, poor strength and coordination to sit on a wide ski while holding onto a rope that is attached to the boat. For additional information please check out these websites:
For additional information about WATER SKIING Adaptive AquaticsSnow skiing can be an exciting and difficult adapted sport for people of all ages and disabilities. Once a year RHI provides the opportunity for individuals to experience the challenging sport of snow skiing. People with visual impairments can use many different types of skis ranging from 2-track, 3-track and 4-track skis which increase the level of participation. Sit-skis, which are also used in waterskiing, are used by individuals with spinal cord injuries, while individuals with spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, brain injury and/or limp amputation use mono-skis and bi-skis. There are many styles of poles that can be used and are determined by the ski being utilized, such as short picks, standard, twelve-inch, and kayak poles. For additional information please take a look at the following websites:
For additional information about SNOW SKIING The International Blind Sport Federation's (IBSA)
Scuba diving may seem like a complex sport for people with disabilities, but it does not require many adaptations in equipment. The scuba diving clinics RHI facilitates provides opportunities for participants to feel a sense of freedom, independence and general well-being because of the buoyancy of the “barrier-free” water environment. However, buoyancy may also cause problems for scuba diving as a result of not using leg muscles. Weight belts can be used to compensate for the limited use of leg muscles and assist in maintaining body position. For more information please check out these websites:
For additional information about SCUBA DIVING International Association for Handicapped Divers