Recreation
Involvement Fund The Recreation Involvement Fund was established to provide inclusive health and recreation opportunities to people with developmental disabilities. The Recreation Involvement Fund provides assistance to qualified applicants to join local gyms or to participate in other recreational activities. The Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities reimburses memberships up to $773 the first year and $450 the second year.
With help from the Recreation Involvement Fund, Evan Solinger, 10, has worked out at the Louisville YMCA. prayed for our child to speak... then, Evan began speaking nonstop and using words that even I can’t even pronounce (and I am an English teacher).
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ontinued therapies and support have helped Evan mainstream into a regular classroom. We still travel a daily rocky road, but we are making it. As Evan’s mom, the most important thing I have learned along the way is that I am NOT SuperMom. I cannot do this alone. Thank goodness, I have family, understanding co-workers, a team of OT friends, a best friend who is a nutritionist, a top-notch pediatrician, a pediatric psychiatrist (and her staff), a Seven Counties worker who manages our Michelle P. Waiver, a behavioral therapist whom I can call day or night, a CLS (Community Living Support) worker who takes Evan places, and teachers who have
more patience than Mother Teresa. Again, I could NOT do this alone.
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nother significant support for Evan is the Recreation Involvement Fund through the state of Kentucky. One of our amazing OTs recognized that Evan needed exercise and movement to help with his digestive issues and anxiety struggles. This grant covers a family membership to our local YMCA. Evan is part of a program at the Y that is encouraging a healthy lifestyle for our entire family. We received the green light for funding for the Recreation Involvement Fund last October and joined the YMCA immediately. Evan really enjoys his time at the Y and claims that it makes him feel like a grown-up (his little sister has to go to childcare or stay home). The one-on-one time that Evan
Thus far the Recreation Involvement Fund has had significant success providing opportunities for people across the state. Survey results have been largely positive with participants reporting weight loss and overall increases in healthier lifestyles. And possibly, more importantly, individuals are reporting increases in friendships and social networks. Info: Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities, 100 Fair Oaks Ln 4E-F, Frankfort, KY, 40601 or (877) 367-5332 or http://chfs.ky.gov/kcdd
spends with his dad at the Y has been wonderful for both of them. Evan just completed the four-week Youth Certification Program at the downtown YMCA. His personal trainer, Miss Annabelle, was amazing. She helped Evan learn all about the opportunities he now has at the Y -- classes (yoga, aerobics, martial arts, Zumba…), sports, equipment, pools, and he is really excited about trying out massage therapy. Now that we are finished with the YCP, we are planning on exercising three times a week. We already have noticed a huge improvement in Evan’s diet, digestive struggles and overall attitude. t 2011 Exceptional Family KY
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