Research shows that the isolation and stress of a chronic disability can be relieved by the development of an individualized wellness plan.
"Most health clubs couldn't meet my needs," says Margaret Smith, a 51-year-old woman diagnosed with multiple sclerosis twenty-five years ago.
"After experiencing a spinal cord injury, I went back to school. I even made the dean's list, but I had no balance in my life," says 36 year-old Christine DelPaggio.
To help researchers investigate how better to serve the exercise and leisure needs of disabled women, Smith and DelPaggio and nearly 100 other women participated in a three-year study conducted by Temple University. Catherine Coyle, PhD, and Mayra Santiago, PhD, led the study funded by the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. It focused on promoting wellness in chronically disabled women—who number 28 million in this country.
Their research is based on the premise that using exercise and leisure to make lifestyle changes can enhance a person's health and well being. These lifestyle changes may help decrease the stress and isolation people with disabilities often experience, while simultaneously improving their health.
The researchers conducted workshops to help the participants identify areas in their lives that they wanted to change. Then they worked with the women to set goals and to develop individual plans to institute the lifestyle changes. They found that relationships, exercise, and leisure needs were the most important factors in forming a wellness plan. To that end, the research team developed and distributed program booklets to help the participants get started: "Building Bridges: Finding and Enhancing Relationships in Your Life," "Move for the Health of It," and "Leisure: The Cornerstone for Health and Wellness."
Relationships are vitally important to everyone, with or without disabilities. So it's important for women with disabilities to strengthen their relationships, which may include helping others understand their needs. One way to do this is to proactively plan out certain activities.
Here are some tips from "Building Bridges":
The researchers encourage checking with your doctor before making any changes to your regular routine. If you're ready to start exercising, consider these basic rules for exercise from "Move for the Health of It":
Smith now does stretching exercises before she gets dressed in the morning. Coyle and Santiago stress, however, that exercise doesn't have to be monotonous. They encourage people with disabilities to incorporate exercise into their favorite leisure pursuits.
"I love gardening," says Smith "and it's an added benefit to know that it's also a good exercise."
DelPaggio, on the other hand, found a disabled rowers group in her area. Rowing is perfect for maximizing her aerobic activity. She also feels an increased sense of strength and enjoys having fun with others.
When considering leisure activities, the Temple University researchers encourage you to consider the following:
Leisure activities are not only a fun way to build exercise into your life but also a way to reward yourself for achieving lifestyle change goals. When Smith accomplishes an objective, she rewards herself by taking a carousel ride with her niece.
In developing your own plan, consider some of the things DelPaggio and Smith learned.
In developing a wellness plan, use your leisure interests as a springboard and foundation to pursue things you enjoy and try to strengthen those relationships that serve you well.
RESOURCES:
Ability
Magazine
http://www.abilitymagazine.com
Center for Research on Women with Disabilities, Baylor College of Medicine
http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/crowd/crowd4.html
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
http://www.nmss.org
The National Women's Health Information Center
http://www.4women.gov/wwd
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability
http://www.ala.ca/content/home.asp
Canadian Centre on Disability Studies
http://www.disabilitystudies.ca/
Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/index.cfm
References
Health promotion for women with disabilities. Villanova University College of Nursing website. Available at: http://www.nursing.villanova.edu/Womenwithdisabilities/ .
Last reviewed February 2008 by John C. Keel, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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