6 | Livingwell a-z | Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Mobility matters
Navigating the world of adaptive, assistive devices
Adaptive sports and fitness
By Kristine Burnett
One of the prevailing stereotypes surrounding physical disabilities is that individuals who rely on adaptive and/ or assistive devices are — or eventually become — inactive. Jennifer Longdon, a peer mentor for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation who is living with paralysis due to a spinal cord injury, counters that thought saying, “For many of us, we remain active, sometimes even more than before. Mobility devices liberate us and allow us to live the full lives we choose to live.”
What to consider
While wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes and crutches are often top of mind, today’s mobility device market offers much more. Erika Feinberg, chief executive officer of Active Forever, a medical, safety, fitness and productivity products provider, highlights the importance of understanding the true functionality of a device before making what is often a significant financial investment. Included in her list of the most beneficial mobility devices are: • Rollators (lightweight walkers equipped with larger wheels and brakes) • Power chairs (motor-driven wheelchairs that are smaller and more portable) • Forearm crutches (crutches with arm braces for enhanced comfort and practicality) • Knee walkers (alternative to crutches for those with lower leg, ankle or foot injuries) When choosing a device, it is important to consider such things as: • Expected duration of disability (temporary or permanent) • Type of disability • Age and overall health status • Desired functionality (indoor, outdoor, terrain, portability, etc.) • Budget, including insurance coverage
Where to start
So where do you start? Feinberg suggests consulting an occupational or physical therapist. “They often know about the latest and greatest devices on the market, how they function and who is an ideal candidate for each,” she said. “For
“Physicallimitations donotmean yourlifeneeds toshrink.”
Jennifer Longdon
example, an athlete in his or her 30s will have very different needs and wants than a senior citizen with impairments. It’s about figuring out what’s right for each person and offering qualified guidance.”
How to find help
When it comes to covering the cost of mobility devices, insurance providers will sometimes cover only the basics. For example, while insurance may provide a manual wheelchair, someone who wants a power chair that may better suit their lifestyle could be left to pick up the tab. With coverage for mobility devices sometimes lacking, it’s important to know there are organizations that will rent or loan devices at low-cost and even no-cost. One prominent source for statewide information is Community Information and Referral Services (CIR). The organization’s website, cir.org, features a menu of resources in categories such as disability-related services, domestic violence, mental health, housing, senior services, transportation and more. You can also call the CIR hotline at 211 (yes, just 211…) to access a recorded list of services or to speak with someone who can provide you with additional information.
SpoFit is the Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities at the Disability Empowerment Center, Arizona Bridge to Independent Living. It is located at 5031 E. Washington Street in Phoenix. | Arizona Bridge to Independent Living From ballroom dancing to skiing, golfing, cycling and more, physical activity is good for everyone, but requiring adaptations can present challenges. Fortunately, some cities, municipalities, foundations and nonprofit organizations offer programs that can help. For example, the City of Phoenix Adaptive Recreation department offers programs in adaptive swimming, golfing and more, while SpoFit is the Virginia G. Piper Sports and Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities at the Disability Empowerment Center, Arizona Bridge to Independent Living. SpoFit features a fitness center with universally adaptive fitness equipment, wheelchair-accessible weight machines, an aquatic area equipped with lifts and elevators, accessible locker rooms and more.
More info
City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation, Adaptive Recreation: phoenix.gov/parks/adaptiverec; 602-262-6861 River of Dreams: river-of-dreams.org; 602-290-0214; info@river-of-dreams.org SpoFit: spofit.org; 602-386-4566
Additional resources
Active Forever: activeforever.com; 480-767-6800; 800-377-8033 Arizona Bridge to Independent Living: abil.org; 602-256-2245 Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association: azspinal.org; 602-507-4209; 888-889-2185 Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council: azsilc.org; 602-262-2900 (voice/TTY) Arizona Technology Access Program: For those looking for outdoor advenaztap.org; 602-728-9534; ture, River of Dreams is a local nonprofit 800-477-9921 operated in collaboration with the Christopher & Dana Reeve City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Foundation: christopherreeve.org; department; it operates in the SpoFit 800-225-0292 Center and offers programs such as River Rampage and Daring Adventures.
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