Whether spending the day on a golf course playing adaptive golf, or taking a tour of The Ohio State University Schottenstein Center, 10 high school students with disabilities enjoyed a fun-filled week at U Can Play (U.C.P.) Camp July 20-24, 2009. The purpose of the day-camp was to give the students an opportunity to learn about ways to integrate physical fitness and healthy choices into their lives. The activities also helped the campers to master a new skill and explore their creativity through arts and crafts. The students were referred to the camp through the Franklin County Board of MR/DD.
The camp atmosphere offered an opportunity for the students to participate in extracurricular, educational, and personal development activities. Each day's activities were centered on a fitness and recreation theme.
Camp began on Monday with an activity for the campers to design a camp logo that would be screen-printed onto a t-shirt. The campers also began working on a scrapbook to have as a camp keepsake. Each camper was given a disposable camera to capture the week's activities.
On Tuesday, the campers spent the day at The Landings Golf Course. Each camper learned how to properly swing a golf club and had a chance to practice hitting some balls on the driving range.
On Wednesday the campers began the day with some stretching exercises, followed by a yoga class. Next the campers toured UCP's fitness room to learn how to use the exercise equipment. Students from The Ohio State University joined the campers for a nutrition presentation followed by a demonstration on making a healthy lunch. To burn off those calories from lunch, the campers took part in an adaptive dance class in the afternoon. Motivational speaker Katie Allen also stopped by to talk to the campers about her experiences with cerebral palsy and how it motivates her while running track.
The campers spent Thursday morning touring the Schottenstein Center. Their behind-the-scenes tour included a look at the locker rooms and an up-close look at the basketball court. The week wrapped up with Health & Nutrition Jeopardy, a carnival, and an ice cream social.
For more information, visit the UCP of Central Ohio Web site or contact Gina Ginn at (614) 279-0109.
Get Podcasts for your MP3 Player
July 20-24 is National Youth Sports Week!
For many of us, packing up the car and heading for a weekend getaway can take minimal preparations. Head out to the cottage or book a hotel room, pack a cooler, bathing suit and some supplies and head out on the open road. But what if it wasn't that easy? What if you were in a wheelchair?
How can someone with a disability enjoy a stress-free vacation when there are so many things to think about? A vacation without limits is now possible at the 
Finally, a vacation rental property for families with special needs! The Vacation Villa will be Alberta's first fully accessible, all inclusive vacation rental property available year round for members with disabilities as well as to non-members and the general public. A vacation spot where families with special needs are fully accommodated: ramps and lifts where they are needed, doorways that work, and lots of fun things to keep everyone happy.
The two bedroom, 950 square-foot custom made, fully accessible recreational home, is fully stocked with all the equipment you will need, including a roll-in shower, ramp leading up to the back deck, a pool and hot tub lift, and accessible pathways for you to enjoy the great outdoors. Only a short drive from Edmonton or Calgary, and room to sleep 9 people, the Vacation Villa is the perfect destination for the whole family to enjoy some rest and relaxation at an affordable rate.
"We want to make vacationing as seamless as possible for our members," says Janice Bushfield, Executive Director for the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta. "Many individuals with disabilities face daily challenges and are in much need of a vacation but often don't have the means or finances to do so." 
The Villa can be booked by individuals of all abilities at very reasonable rates, and subsidy is also available for qualifying CPAA members thanks to the Street Family Vacation Subsidy Program. The memorial fund was set up by the Street Family in honor of their late father who created fond vacation memories with his family and son who lived with cerebral palsy and felt it was important for other families to be able to spend quality vacation time regardless of ability. 
On September 5, 1988, my son Joey was born 8 weeks early. My first glimpse of him lasted less than 30 seconds. He was blue and silent and was whisked off to be resuscitated. We were naïve at the time he was attempting to make his arrival. The excitement of the impending birth of our first born overshadowed the implications of a way too early arrival. Little by little we began to learn new terminology — 
