JOIN IN, GET MOTIVATED, AND CHANGE YOUR LIFE

By

Donna J. Flanery

• Physical activity is beneficial to the health and welfare of an individual.

• This statement has more significance to the population of individuals with disabilities due to a higher level of health needs.

• Individuals with disabilities generally have high medical needs due to chronic medical conditions and spend more time in the emergency rooms than individuals without disabilities.

• Over the years, many studies have shown that increased physical activity can result in …….

• Improved Health

• Mental Well-Being

• Sense of Worth or Purpose

Improved Health

• Fewer trips to the doctor

• Taking less medication

• More energy

Mental Well-Being

• Happier

• Fewer Behaviors

• A sense of belonging

Sense of Worth or Purpose

• I can attitude

• Learning new skills

• Developing relationships

Making a Choice

• It is important that an individual is involved in helping choose which activities he or she participates in.

• This allows the individual to take ownership in the activity and increases the chance of following through with the activity.

Challenges

• Transportation

• Lower incomes (physical activities are not a priority)

• Obesity (due to lack of physical activity)

• Medical Issues

How do we turn it around?

• Build relationships within the community (offer someone a ride)

• Find activities that the individual can JOIN IN for little or no cost

• Say “Yes, I can”

• Choose movement (exercise)

ARC of Bell County

What do we offer?

• Special Olympics Activities

• Dances

• Bingo

• Zumba

• Camp Funshine

• Demonstrations

What can you do in your neighborhood to get motivated?

• ZUMBA Demonstration

Change Your Life

• Don’t sit on the sidelines

• Find an activity that you like to do

• You don’t have to be perfect, participate as much as you can (Modify)

• Make a plan, follow it an see where you are in 6 months