Guest Author - Jessica Steinmetz

Having a disability does not mean you cannot participate in sports. So, get out there and be active. Sports are an exciting part of life and not something you have to forget based on a disability. Plenty of sports are available for people with any type of physical disability. You need to be open to try new things, and have a desire for some fun. Being involved in sports improves self-esteem, motivation, as well as your body. Being active provides a way to meet new people and be a part of an organization. Sports also give you the opportunity to try your best physically and an excellent chance to reduce stress.

Finding the right sport does not have to be difficult. If you focus, you will see that many sports open to you regardless of your disability. Therapists can help you adapt sport equipment to individual needs. I participated in swimming, bowling, and horseback riding. From these, I felt a sense of achievement and more physically fit.

Sports are not only fun, but also a wonderful way to keep your body healthy and in shape. Swimming, bowling, tennis, skiing, water skiing, basketball, wheelchair track, shooting, and horseback riding are just to name a few sports available.

If you look around in your community, you may find places that offer adapted sports. For example, many bowling allies have bowling ramps so a person who uses a wheelchair can bowl. Many local YMCA´s, have lifts in pools to assist someone in and out of the pool. Other local disability agencies can provide other information for sports available for you.