JULY 2021 | ISSUE 12
THE HELP SHOW NEWSLETTER A Monthly Discussion of Mental Health Topics
JOIN US DISABILITIES IN SPORTS Podcast July 30th at 6:30pm CST
In This Issue: History - 2 Upcoming podcast - 3 In case you missed it - 5
MENTAL HEALTH PODCAST: Disabilities in Sports Join us for our upcoming podcast Trischa Zorn’s swimming career began in 1980 and continues strong today---with over 50 medals under her belt, Zorn became the first visually impaired athlete to earn a NCAA Division I scholarship. She is considered by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to be the most decorated Paralympian of all time. Although for Zorn, it is not the medals that matter, but her impact on sports and her community; her and other Paralympians of her generation paved the way for future disabled athletes to get sponsorships, prize money and increased recognition. Though the opportunities for disabled athletes are greater than ever before, there is still work to be done. Due to institutional discrimination, many able-bodied people are unaware of the definition of disability, the history of parasports, or what parasports are. The UN General Assembly’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines disability as “those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.” People with disabilities include those whose disabilities were present from birth or acquired through trauma or illness. This includes, but is not limited to, amputees, those with spinal cord injuries, autoimmune diseases, and/or neurological disorders. Parasports, or adaptive sports, are sports played by disabled athletes; these can include variations on sports played by the able-bodied, such as wheelchair basketball, or sports designed specifically for disabled athletes, like goalball. While there are many opportunities for disabled people to become involved in sports at all levels, many parasports organizations and programs are still underrepresented and/or underfunded. In this issue, we will explore the history of parasports, the various challenges that adaptive athletes experience, how sports play into their mental health, and ways to support disabled athletes. So, click to subscribe to our newsletter today.
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History and Benefits History of adaptive sports / para sports, terminology Parasports can be defined as sports for athletes with physical or intellectual disabilities.Adaptive sports branch out into three main umbrellas: Sports for deaf athletes, Sports for individuals with physical impairments, and Sports for athletes with intellectual impairments. The movement for adaptive sports became popularly known after World War II. Awareness spread following the war due to the rehabilitation of injured war veterans and civilians. Adaptive and Parasports are synonymous terms as the games generally run parallel to national and international events such as the Olympics. The history of Parasports has evolved significantly after WW II to include global events and organizations, as well as a formal gaming classification system. A few examples below provided from the Chasa organization identify the types of modifications that may be applied in adaptive sports: Runners with visual impairments are able to run with a sighted guide. Athletes who use wheelchairs race in specially designed racing chairs and throw from field chairs Chalk is used to determine the starting point of a long jump for visually impaired athletes, not the toe board. There are a total of 439 programs explored nationally through the Disabled Sports USA Program. Honorable athletic talent is displayed throughout these programs and in the developmental history of parasports. Inequalities & Challenges
Getting into parasports at any level (recreational, collegiate, professional, etc.) is a challenge, as disabled athletes must grapple with a lack of institutional support for parasports, as well as support staff that are reluctant to work with them. A common myth is that parasports are a fringe division in sports, and that most disabled people are not interested in participating or seeking out sports. On the contrary, a report by the Australian Sports Commission found that 75% of people with disabilities who do take part in sports sought to increase their participation. The study determined that levels of participation rates in sports varied according to two factors: the type of disability and the level of support needs. Parasports have received lukewarm support on the collegiate level; a 2016 study of disabled student athletes revealed how seemingly supportive institutions hampered accessibility and inclusion. The participants noted inequalities such as the lack of accessible parking spaces or entrances to training facilities, a lack of disability-specific equipment, and meager financial support for their sports program. A lack of social supports is another barrier disabled athletes face, as few coaches have the disability-specific knowledge necessary to participate in parasports. Although parasports have come a long way from their early days, ableism in sports is still alive and well, and the lack of material and social supports take a mental and physical toll on athletes.
The Toll on Disabled Athletes
Unlike able-bodied people, people living with chronic illnesses or disabilities are not able to replenish their energy (or spoons) with a nap or a full meal. Navigating and combating oppression in sports on a limited amount of energy is not only physically draining, but mentally as well. Disabled athletes who experienced inequalities in sports described
Disabled athletes already face discrimination on a personal and institutional
the oppression as emotionally draining, a stressor, and that poor
level outside of sports and encountering barriers in athletics takes an additional
treatment negatively impacted not only their performance but also
toll on their mental and physical health. Marginalized people of all backgrounds
their emotions and wellbeing.
are all too aware of the havoc that oppression can wreak on one’s physical health. For disabled people, institutional discrimination presents an additional challenge to their health, as many have only a finite amount of energy to use throughout the day. People with disabilities and chronic illnesses use the term “spoon theory” to refer to the finite units of energy (dubbed “spoons”) to be used throughout the day. For example, a disabled person might have 6 spoons to use for the entire day. Taking a shower uses 2 spoons, leaving a person with 4 spoons left for the day.
Adaptive sports have the potential to increase disabled participants’ psychological wellbeing, but only if disabled athletes are listened to, respected, and given the funding and tools needed to participate in sports at the same level as their able-bodied peers. It is important to support organizations and individuals dedicated to championing disability rights and increased accessibility to parasports at all levels.
Resources for adaptive sports Episode 105: “Where Do I Go From Here?” Disabilities in Sports
Friday, July 30th at 6:30pm Central The following is a list of organizations that provide resources and support for disabled athletes at every proficiency level and type of disability.
Directory of Adaptive Sports Organizations Sorted by type of sport (eg Archery, Basketball, etc.) this
website lists organizations for athletes with disabilities seeking to join in sports competitions and activities, as well as licensed professionals and the general public who wish to volunteer.
Adaptive Adventures Provides sports programs, camps and clinics specializing in outdoor sports for both children
and adults with physical disabilities. These sports include everything from cycling to dragon boat racing, to snowboarding. Adaptive Adventures serves over 30 states, as well as Puerto Rico and Canada. "Unlike site based adaptive sports organizations, Adaptive Adventures travels the country to provide direct program services, training and resources to establish sustainable programs in unserved and underserved communities. Adaptive Adventures partners with over 180 community partners, including rehab hospitals, parks and rec districts, VA Medical Centers, outfitters, gyms, veteran service organizations, and other adaptive sport programs."
Move United An affiliate organization of the USOPC, Move United’s website allows you to search for adaptive sports
events, participate in virtual adaptive fitness classes, and more. "[Move United] ...uses sports to push what's possible so everyone, regardless of ability, has equal access to sports and recreation in their community. Established in 1956, Move United is an Affiliate of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Their 200 member organizations in 43 states are united by a single mission: ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, experiences the life-changing power of sport and is included in their community."
NCHPAD: This organization seeks to play sports and fitness activities accessible to people with disabilities and chronic
illness. NCHPAD provides disability-specific equipment, recreational programs, and training initiatives for service providers to achieve this goal. "The National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability is a public health practice and resource center on health promotion for people with disability. NCHPAD seeks to help people with disability and other chronic health conditions achieve health benefits through increased participation in all types of physical and social activities, including fitness and aquatic activities, recreational and sports programs, adaptive equipment usage, and search for member organizations in your area."
United States Association of Blind Athletes (USBA): A membership-based organization that provides resources and
support for blind athletes. Members have the opportunity to participate in sporting events, to connect with local sports clubs, and to contact coaches, athletes, and guides in their local area.
Join our upcoming virtual live podcast Episode 105: “Where Do I Go From Here?” Disabilities in Sports
Friday, July 30th at 6:30pm Central How can you help support the mental health of loved ones affected by the pandemic within the athletic community? Let the experts in our podcast guide you. Join the live podcast and add your name too many other responsible people who want to make a difference. NiEtta Reynolds, MSW Founder of The Help Show NiEtta will host our podcast to help us understand the significance of mental health in the male athletes of today, from recreational athletes to professional athletes and their ability to perform or cope with their emotions. This podcast aims to spread awareness regarding mental health and sports and how players can get the help they need when facing racial inequalities and other stressors both on and off the field. NiEtta is passionate about educating the community on mental health issues, so she uses her platform to engage people from all walks of life in spreading mental health awareness.
Dr. Kenneth Rogers MD Psychiatrist / Co-Host Dr. Rogers, our podcast’s co-host, has over 20 years of experience as a board-certified psychiatrist addressing PTSD and other trauma. His clinical research demonstrates the positive outcomes of intervention through community-based mental health programs. He will help lead our discussion regarding the mental health issues resulting from the stress of change and fear in adults and children.
Travis Mills Travis Mills Retired United States Army Staff Sergeant & Motivational Speaker
Retired United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne is a recalibrated warrior, motivational speaker, actor, author and an advocate for veterans and amputees. Travis’s New York Times bestselling memoir, Tough as They Come, is currently available in bookstores everywhere. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries. Despite losing portions of both arms and legs, Travis continues to overcome life’s challenges, breaking physical barriers and defying odds. Travis lives by his motto: Never Give Up. Never Quit. The Travis Mills Foundation supports recalibrated veterans and their families through various programs, including a barrier-free retreat in Maine's outdoors that help these men and women overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.Travis also leads Warrior PATHH, the nation’s first-ever program designed to cultivate and facilitate post-traumatic growth (PTG) in combat veterans.
Morris Brossette Morris Brossette Mindset & Performance Specialist
Morris “Mo” Brossette has been in the health and fitness industry for over 25 years, and is the Director of Mindset at The Adaptive Training Foundation, a Dallas based non-profit that leads disabled military veterans and civilians through a 9-week mental and physical training program called “Redefine”. Through this unique program, Mo helps these adaptive athletes overcome physical, emotional and mental pain, fear, and self-doubt to go after their goals with a greater sense of self-awareness and self-confidence
In Case You Missed It Our last podcast: Fatherhood Mental Health, Sports In our last podcast, we discussed fatherhood, masculinity in sports, and the dos and don’ts of managing your emotions Get help at www.TheHelpShow.org/podcast-resources/
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