A new program may help improve the lives of kids with disabilities-and help them better control their health.
Sixty-six percent of people with disabilities are not really pleased with their lives; 78 percent are unemployed; and health concerns have been increased by them, including greater vulnerability to additional health dilemmas.
However, a new DVD might help enhance the future outlook for kiddies with disabilities. Called "Fit for the Future," it addresses two of the most important problems facing people who have disabilities today: health and employment. The DVD premiered by Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
"Fit for the Future" is meant to become a unique, innovative program that fills a gap in available resources. The DVD includes three 20- to 30-minute, upbeat, kid-friendly exercise routines-stretching, conditioning and stamina-that can be carried out seated or standing. The exercise part of the DVD features patients and therapists from the Tampa Shriners Hospital, as well as FBI personnel from Tampa, Fla., Washington, D.C., and Quantico, Va.
This program also contains informational parts on the Shriners fraternity, Shriners Hospitals for Children and the FBI.
The DVD has a second, equally essential message of possible future work. Statistically, people with disabilities have the best unemployment rate (around 70 per cent). Understanding that the FBI specifically wants to hire people with disabilities could be a great way to obtain encouragement for children with disabilities.
While designed primarily for children with orthopaedic disabilities, "Fit for the Future" is an exercise program virtually anyone can use. The workouts featured are common and fundamental enough to provide a kick off point for a fitness program.
There's an increasing understanding of the value of giving exercise opportunities for those who have disabilities. "We think that a program featuring children with disabilities, as well as the strong presence of an Agent as both role and companion model, can help motivate children with disabilities to exercise," mentioned Peter Armstrong, M.D., medical affairs manager for Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Credit for the concept belongs to FBI Special Agent James Knights, who is also a Shriner. Knights, of Pittsburgh, Pa., wished to create a way to help kiddies with disabilities understand that should they worked hard and slept as strong and healthy as you can, their future could add a career in the FBI.
To learn more on Shriners' network of 22 hospitals offering medical care and services to young ones with orthopaedic issues, burns off, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate at free, create to Shriners International Headquarters, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or visit www.shrinershq.org. All services are provided at totally free to young ones under 18, regardless of financial need or regards to a [http://www.salvolaw.com/Estate-Planning/ url] Shriner.
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