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Archive for category: Sports and Leisure

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The Benefits of Biking to Work

Nicer weather has arrived!  It’s time to take advantage by getting outside and adding some more physical activity to your life.  Biking to work, if your commute is close enough, is a great way to increase physical activity, reduce the effects of sitting disease, save time, money, and help the environment.  Don’t have bike?  Don’t worry!  Bike share programs, like the City of Hamilton’s new Bike the Hammer program, are popping up in cities across Ontario.

Check out more about this healthy alternative to driving in this helpful infographic from Lifehack.com:

bike-to-work-week

 

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Warning: Long Weekend Ahead!

Warning:  Long Weekend ahead!  While the Victoria Day long weekend is often a kick-off to summer, it is also known as one of the deadliest weekends in Canada.  Impaired driving and boating numbers are highly elevated during long weekends and MADD Canada estimates that impaired driving kills between 1,250 and 1,500 people every year, and injures more than 63,000 in Canada.  The following PSA is a great reminder of the effects drinking and driving can have on your life and on the life of someone else.  So please, while you enjoy this first long weekend of the season, think smart and be safe.  Don’t drink and drive.

 

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Sensory Friendly Screenings

Going to the movies can be a great way to spend your day or evening, however, the dark and loud environment of a typical theatre may not be suitable for many.  Autism Speaks Canada has teamed up with Cineplex to bring sensory friendly entertainment to individuals on the autism spectrum or those who require this type of environment.

Check out the details of this partnership at Cineplex.com.

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Tips for Stress-Less Family Travel

After returning from a vacation do you ever feel you need another vacation to recover?  Travelling with your family can be stressful, let’s face it, it IS stressful.  Whether travelling by car, airplane or boat there are always stressors from getting from point A to your vacation destination.  March break is just ahead and, if you’re one of the lucky ones heading away, we invite you to check out these helpful tips and strategies from Parents Magazine to help reduce your travel stress.  Bon voyage!

Parents:  Your Guide to Stress-Free Family Travel

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Toronto International: Accessible Travel Information

Are you heading away this March Break?  Leaving from Toronto Airport?  Do you have a disability or need special assistance?  Consider the following helpful tips and contact information to make sure your adventure goes smoothly:

Planning Ahead

Plan your trip in advance with these helpful travel links:

Travel countdown

Travel checklist

Parking

  • Terminal 1 is equipped with a total of 83 designated disabled parking spaces on all levels, except on level 8.
  • Terminal 3 is equipped with a total of 39 designated disabled parking spaces located near the elevator lobbies or hotel entrance on all levels.
  • Long-term parking reduced rate lot, which is located across from Terminal 3, on Airport Road, provides 39 designated disabled parking spaces near the exit booth and Automated People Mover (APM) tower/station.
  • Passengers departing or transferring between Terminal 1, 3 or Long Term parking lot will be required to take the APM to the appropriate terminal.  The APM is fully accessible and operates 24/7.

From the Car to the Plane

Airport Customer Assistance Program (ACAP) @ Toronto Pearson:

  • Provides point-to-point transportation and assistance for persons with disabilities as well as for others who require assistance.
  • Terminal 1 is equipped with information/courtesy phones, available 24 hours a day. These are Identified with the international accessibility pictogram and a white “I” on an orange background (used at Pearson to denote customer service points), which are clearly visible throughout the departures level inner curb, as well as with intercoms throughout the parking garage vestibules.

Services:

  • Terminal 3: services consist of wheelchair and attendant assistance throughout Terminal 3 from the garage or the curb to the seat of the aircraft.
  • Terminal 1: services are offered from the garage or curb to the airline counter or to the seat of the aircraft depending on the airline.
  • This service can be pre-arranged by calling (416) 776-ACAP (2227), by emailing acap@gtaa.com or completing the request for assistance form under the Special Assurance link.

Storage of Mobility Device While Boarding:

  • West Jet: 1-800-538-5696
  • Air Canada: 1-888-247-2262

Need More Information? 

Airport accessibility

Toronto Pearson Airport

Or call:

  • Terminal 1: Terminal Information Services at (416) 247-7678
  • Terminal 3: Terminal Information Services at (416) 776-5100

For more travel tips and information please refer to our Travelling with a Disability post for more on accessible travel.

Have a wonderful vacation!

 

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Slippery Slopes: The Great Tobogganing Debate

Julie Entwistle, MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)

Growing up as a kid in the era of “go outside and find something to do”, I always tobogganed in the winter.  We lived on the top of the escarpment with some great hills behind us.  I would venture out with my GT Snow Racer, and usually my dogs, and would find some great runs.  The combination of speed, fresh air and exercise made for a fun afternoon.

While we didn’t have social media at the time, the news would tell stories of people hurt tobogganing.  I remember one story in particular of a young Reverend who died tobogganing at the Burlington Golf and Country Club when he hit a tree.  I believe he was tobogganing at night with some kids in his congregation.  Other stories of broken bones, head injury and the like would circulate, but with all things slightly dangerous, these stories didn’t seem to change the fact that kids would still venture out to toboggan as a favorite Canadian past-time.

This winter has brought considerable debate regarding the tobogganing ban in Hamilton and other cities across Canada.  Many are outraged that enjoying this fun winter activity could come with a hefty fine.   As my own kids approach the age where the little “bunny hills” near our house are no long “fun enough”, and I consider the work I do in Brain Injury, I do find myself re-evaluating this pastime.

So let’s review the dangers: experts state that tobogganing is considered the 4th riskiest sport for catastrophic brain and spine injuries, behind diving, snowmobiling and parachuting.    A 2008 Ontario study showed that the instance of long term disability or permanent injury was 38 of 100 000 people with a death rate of 2.4.  (http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/01/05/national-post-editorial-board-the-freedom-to-toboggan/).  There are different types of toboggans that need different positions – from head first to feet first, lying to sitting, some take more than one person, and all go at varying speeds.  The risks are real and will depend on many factors including the hill and its surroundings, the number of people also sharing the space, the type of sled, the position, age, experience, and size of the rider.

So how can we balance these risks with the acknowledged fact that tobogganing is a fun, enjoyable, and a great form of winter exercise?  Here are some tips:

1.       Supervision.  The risks of injury with tobogganing will increase, not decrease, as kids get older.  The older they are, the more likely they are to make poor decisions, to go fast, to try and be “cool” around friends, or to forgo the use of safety equipment.  Supervising your child (at any age) while they partake in this activity is recommended so you can act as their “second brain” and can provide them with cuing and guidance away from poor decisions.

2.       Wear a Helmet.  Like skating and skiing, choose a CSA approved helmet that fits properly.  You don’t have to hit a tree to sustain a head injury – even just banging heads with another person, impacting the ground, or coming to a very sudden stop can cause the brain to be rattled.  A helmet adds protection and reduces the risks.

3.       Choose a “safe” location.  Consider that some locations are now illegal for tobogganing and so do your research before you arrive.  Find a hill that is not too crowded, that has lots of open space and plenty of room to stop at the bottom that is away from trees, roads or other hazards.  Ramps and obstacles, while fun, increase the dangers so teach your kid to avoid these.

4.       Use a proper sled.  Find a toboggan that allows for steering and stopping and requires your child to sit upright, feet forward, where they have a clear line of sight and can easily bail if things are going amiss.

5.       Feet first.  Teach your child to toboggan with their feet, never their head, leading their body down the hill.  A broken leg, while still a serious injury, is less life threatening than massive head or neck trauma.  Much like going down a slide, teach them the safest technique.

6.       When in doubt… bail out.  Tell your kids to forgo the sled and bail to the side if they are going too fast, are approaching a person or obstacles, or if they are losing control.  Just like all the training we give our kids – we need to teach them that if they are going to fail or fall, do it properly and safely.

My family has a secret spot for tobogganing.  It is a private golf course that we have permission to use.  The slopes are wide open with varying runs to choose from.  The trees surrounding the hills provide shelter from the wind without creating unsafe obstacles.   No one else is ever there.  We bring our dogs who enjoying running the hills with our girls.  Everyone comes home exhausted.  We were there last weekend and noticed that some other kids have also been using the hills.  But these kids seemed to have snowboards and had made a trail up into the forest with jumps and turns.  I walked those trails with my kids and we talked about how unsafe they were.  Too steep, too narrow, too many trees and a massive jump at the end.  It was refreshing for me to realize that my girls understood the safety risks involved and that I was there to help them make better decisions about what hills to descend.  While they were sledding I baked in some winter sun, threw snowballs to my dogs, helped my girls bring their sleds up the hills, and even took in a few runs.  We had a great time and followed it up with some hot chocolate.   That is how we enjoy our winter and I hope that in lieu of a ban or fines that cities can find a way to facilitate safe participation in this winter pastime, recognizing the value this brings to our culture as a country that spends a few months of the year in the cold and snow.

How do you feel about the tobogganing ban?  Will you and your family continue to hit the slopes for the remainder of the winter and moving forward?  If you do, please be safe!

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Travelling with a Disability

Julie Entwistle, MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)

I am fortunate in my life to have vacationed to some pretty great spots.  But my favorite remains our trip to Alaska in 1999.  We travelled in August when the Ontario summers were hot and humid, and the air in Alaska was 16-18 degrees (Celsius) – clean, crisp, and fresh.  Alaska is beautiful.  It has mountains, oceans, wildlife, great people, and you can’t help but feel small when watching a glacier, three miles high, calving off chunks larger than your cruise ship.  We hiked, biked, toured the local shops, and took the White Pass and Yukon Railroad along the gold rush trail back into Northern Canada.  We walked a glacier and flew in a seaplane along the fiords.  Incredible.

But my favorite part of all?  We travelled with my grandparents, both disabled and in need of our help to fully enjoy the experience.

My grandfather was diagnosed with polio in 1946.  He spent three years in hospital and rehabilitation, and was discharged with “Canadian crutches” having no muscle in his legs or buttocks.  His bones were essentially stilts, with some active tendons that would let him swing his legs through and lock his knees so he could mobilize.  He had lots of falls walking this way, most resulting in a broken something.  My grandmother was physically healthy, minus some arthritis, but suffered from hearing loss.  My grandparents had always talked about going to Alaska and thanks to my parents, who included us in the experience, we were able to make that happen.

Travelling with a disability is not easy.  It requires planning, a supportive attendant, and an open mind.  Our cruise ship was “accessible” which turned out to be a blanket term for “we try”.  After all, nothing can be fully “accessible” as each disability is different, requiring varying levels of accommodation.  Because my grandfather could transfer to standing, and was tall, he needed things higher – toilets, chairs, beds.  Well, when they make things “accessible” they often lower them – to accommodate a wheelchair user who does not stand to transfer.  Walking around a cruise ship deck (slippery from damp sea air) was not safe for my grandfather, so he would use his scooter most of the time.  But the best was the gangways.  We would dock in the morning, and the gangway was nothing more than a simple bridge.  Easy for a scooter to manage.  Well, six hours later, the tide comes in and the gangway becomes a steep incline, completely unmanageable by scooter.  We didn’t realize that until we were at the bottom looking up.  We had packed a manual wheelchair as well, so we were able to move my grandfather into that, some burly men essentially carried him up the steep incline (not safe, but the boat was leaving regardless), and another group of men carried the scooter.  We managed, but we had help and a cruise line that was interested in providing some customer service.

March break is approaching and for months my clients have been asking me about travelling with a disability.  I enjoy these discussions because I do believe that anything is possible – but here are some pointers:

1.    Book the trip with a travel agent who specializes in disability, either by interest or circumstance (some have disabilities themselves), if you can.  These agents understand that “accessibility” is not an inclusive term, and with personal experience, or feedback from other patrons, they can customize the trip to meet the needs of your unique situation.  Check out www.accessholidays.ca as an example.

2.    Planning goes a long way.  Send pictures of your equipment, measurements, and get pictures and measurements in return.  Disclose the nature of your disability if you are comfortable with that, and be clear about what you can and cannot do.

3.    Travel with an attendant.  On our Alaskan trip there was a man from our town also on the boat who had a mobility impairment.  He did not have an attendant with him and was constantly asking other patrons to help him.  They were willing to comply, but at times his needs were not met, and it would have been best for him and the other travellers if he had someone with him who understood these and was trained to assist him with the same.

4.    Look at all your equipment options.  Can you rent something smaller or lighter that might be easier to lift, will fit into narrower places, or can you rent devices when you arrive?  I just provided a client with photos of devices, different from the ones he uses daily, that he could consider renting to facilitate his upcoming overnight to a waterpark with his children.

5.    Become informed.  Check out the government resources. Did you know that in Canada, if you have a disability and are flying domestically, you may be eligible for extra seating, support, or your attendant can fly for free? Learn more from Westjet.  Or that Easter Seals offers a Disability Travel Card for buses and trains?  Also, if you have a disability and require someone to assist you through an airport to the gate, or at the gate through security and customs, there are special passes that can be obtained for this.  In Florida there is a rehabilitation program for people with spinal cord injuries that includes “project airport” and this takes wheelchair uses through an airport, onto a plane, and helps them understand how they can successfully manage this despite a physical impairment.  Many magazines (Abilities www.abilities.ca for one) often has articles on accessible travel and these highlight many different places that are great to visit, and some of the things to think about before you leave or when you arrive.

6.    Talk to an Occupational Therapist.  Occupational therapists have a wealth of knowledge about how people with different conditions can adapt their environment or equipment to manage.  Consider seeking our expertise if you are embarking on a journey outside of your typical space.  Together we can discuss strategies and solutions that can help ensure your vacation is successful.

I miss my grandfather dearly but am blessed to still have my grandmother in my life.  Our trip to Alaska served many purposes – we were able to see a beautiful part of the world, my grandparents got to fulfill a travel dream, and I made memories with them that span far deeper than any photograph.

Safe travels!

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Never Stop Learning

Julie Entwistle, MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)

Over the holidays we were prepping for a family ski trip.  Our children are not yet skiers, and were asking us questions about our upcoming adventure.  My oldest daughter asked my husband “Daddy, have you ever fallen when you ski”?  His response was “Of course…that is why I am a good skier – if you are not falling you are not learning anything”.  So true.

His comment got me thinking about fear, risk and how people learn.  We need to fall to know how to get back up.  We need to fail to know how to succeed.  We need to make bad decisions to know how to do it right the next time.  We need to lose money to know how to keep it.

Humans seem especially good at falling, failing and learning as children, teens and young adults – provided the people in their environment provide them with these valuable opportunities.  As adults we tend to fall and fail in our early careers, social and personal lives while we learn how to behave as an adult and to manage our growing responsibilities like work, families, homes, etc.  Then we seem to reach an age where we become teachers, leading the younger generations to grow as we have.  We still need to gain knowledge during this time, but ultimately we might be revered as wise for all we already know.  But then do we stop learning?  Or stop having the will to learn?  Do we reach a point of “knowing it all”?

I will use another example to explain why I ask these important questions.  I have a close friend whose elderly grandparents are struggling to manage in their home.  They both have health issues and struggle to mobilize, access their upper level, get into the community, and cannot care for their home as they need to.  Family is providing a significant amount of support while living in a state of constant worry.  Really, the couple are one fall or new health problem away from losing their home and being institutionalized.  My friend mentioned to the daughter of this couple that an Occupational Therapist could provide valuable insight into how they might be able to manage more safely and independently so they can stay at home.  The daughter replied “Oh, they would never go for that”.  How sad.  This couple are unwilling to learn.

With a background in Gerontology (the study of aging), I understand fully the challenges most of us will face as we age.  And as an Occupational Therapist (the study of human function) I also understand the difficulties of living with a physical, cognitive, emotional or behavioral disability – age related or not.  But the big difference I see between my younger and older clients is their willingness to learn.  My younger clients seem to want to learn what I know, they appreciate how I can help, and engage in the process of working with me to make things better.  Yet my older clients are historically much less open to suggestions.  It is more difficult to get them to consider alternative ways to manage, devices that might help, or to accept assistance to do activities that are now unsafe for them to do on their own.  My funniest example of this was a 96 year old client that told me “scooters are for old people”.

I consider myself a life-long learner.  I recently finished my MBA, am constantly reading books about business, health and wellness, I take great interest in the stories and experiences of other people, take courses, attend conferences.  I just hope that when I reach that wonderful age of ultimate maturity I will continue to appreciate the value that other people can bring to my life and situation.  And hopefully I will accept suggestions, input and ideas proactively.  Because while falling is one way to learn – like when skiing – the older we are the harder it is to get back up again.

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Happy Family Day!

Today is Family Day in Ontario.  A day to celebrate family.

Check out our Top 10 Ways to Enjoy The Day together as a family:

1.       Take It Outside:  Though the weather outside is frightful… bundle up and enjoy some outdoor time together.  Take a walk, go snowshoeing, hit an outdoor rink or build a snowman.  Take time with your kids to connect with nature.

2.       Get Competitive:  Playing games is always a great way to spend quality family time together.

3.       Bake Something:  Kids love creating a yummy treat they’ve made themselves and can enjoy.  Check out some recipes from our Food For Thought page or take out a favourite family recipe book.

4.       Re-connect with Relatives:  Sit down together and write a letter, an email or skype with family or friends you haven’t seen in a while.

5.       Get Creative:  Get out your crafts and art supplies and get in touch with your creative side!

6.       Put on a Play:  Dramatic play is great for kids and can be fun for parents too!  Together write a script, put on some dress-up clothes and be dramatic!  You could even video yourselves and share with others.

7.       Dance Dance Dance!:  What kid doesn’t love a good dance party.  Turn up the music and get moving!  Dancing provides great cardio exercise and is fun for the whole family.

8.       Get Cultural:  Many museums and art galleries are open and hosting special events for families on Family Day.  Check with your local museum for special hours and events and enjoy some time as a family learning about something new.

9.       Cuddle Up:  After spending some time outside or being active, curl up with a snack, warm drink and a nice family flick!

10.   Talk to Each Other:  Family day is a great day for conversation around the dinner table.  Most days schedules can be too hectic to actually enjoy time for catching up on each other’s lives.  Make sure to make time to reconnect!

However you decide to spend your Family day, enjoy!