Being fit has many advantages; physical/mental well-being, opportunities to make friends, the chance to meet and exceed athletic goals, and countless other benefits. While many can easily take advantage of fitness programs in their community, the road to full, integrated participation is often difficult for those with disabilities.
I am legally blind. When I was a child, I was usually discouraged from participating in many fitness programs. My parents were often answered with a flat “No!” when they attempted to enroll their very energetic, high-spirited daughter in play groups and nursery schools. Gym class was a nightmare as it consisted mainly of games played with a ball. My extreme ‘tunnel vision’ made this a dangerous activity. Despite this, my parents encouraged me to skate, run and climb trees like sighted kids. I was also involved in adapted swimming, skiing and horseback riding programs.
After participating in an adapted aerobics class in the early 1990’s offered by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, I caught the fitness bug but was hesitant to enrol in a regular fitness class for fear that the music might be too loud, the cues insufficient, or worse still, I might bump into another participant. At the Dovercourt Recreation Centre however, an unassuming fitness director took the time to listen to me, welcoming me to join a group fitness class. By standing close behind the instructor, I received feedback on my form and was able to pick up most moves with the little vision that I have, needing to make only occasional modifications to moves that involved balance.
What began as a once-a-week workout evolved into a full-out fitness regime. The Confidence and sheer enjoyment that I gained from these initial workouts led me to take advantage of other options. Soon, I added Step, Skip Circuit Training, Boot Camp, and classes that incorporated elements of Yoga and Tai Chi.
Being involved with Dovercourt has been life-changing – for me and many others. Each day, many people with a disability come to enjoy programs offered at the Centre. I have seen people gain strength and confidence in the Rehabilitation Walking Program, while others thrive through the opportunity to swim. Simple equipment modifications, such as marking fitness machines with Braille or tactile symbols, enable people who are visually impaired to use equipment independently. It is also common for kids with disabilities to play alongside others on the fully-accessible play structure and to be integrated into Dovercourt’s camp programs. These are a few of the ways that Dovercourt welcomes people of all abilities. I take every opportunity to share this best kept secret with the people I know.
It was a blind friend of mine who first introduced me to spin classes in 2001, and I have since been able to encourage another blind friend to join the class. With her guide dog watching from the sidelines, my friend, whose vision is considerably lower than mine, has been able to participate fully with just a few extra verbal cues from the instructor. More recently, another visually impaired friend agreed to come out and join our group fitness class. Our instructors have adapted to her needs, too, and after eight weeks in the class, she is realizing an improved fitness level.
At age 46, I’m avoiding all of the so-called ‘normal’ health problems of middle age. Although I was diagnosed recently with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Dovercourt provides me with a healthy outlet for all of my excess energy! The training, advice, encouragement and support that I receive at the Centre have helped prepare me to compete each year in the CN Tower Stair Climb, an ascent of 1776 stairs which I complete in around 20 minutes. I believe that my disabilities are sensory—physically, I am as ‘able-bodied’ as others.
All this to say that at Dovercourt, there is something for everyone. By writing about my experience there and through telling others, I hope to encourage as many people with a disability as possible to visit the centre, even if only once. I must warn you that you may become hooked, as I am!
About the Author
Born and raised in Ottawa, Shelley Ann Morris has more than ten years of professional experience within the social service field. Currently, Shelley Ann is a member of the Recruitment and Referral Services team at Volunteer Ottawa. In 2004, she joined Dovercourt’s Board of Directors. One of her roles on the Board has been to help ensure that the organization continues in its efforts to be accessible to all, including those who have disabilities. Shelley Ann is a passionate advocate for inclusive active living and has brought a number of people with a disability from the community to Dovercourt. In as much as All Abilities Welcome is committed to encouraging and supporting community recreation facilities to adopt an attitude of inclusion, this becomes somewhat redundant if there are no people with a disability coming out to these centres in the first place. As such, Shelley Ann’s work in bringing people with a disability to Dovercourt is helping to meet this challenge, and we commend both Dovercourt and Shelley Ann for their efforts to draw people with a disability into a place where they are welcomed and fit in.
