**Recreation Therapy Success and Outcomes**

100% of clients and families surveyed in 2023 feel that their therapist listens to them and understands their needs.

At the end of 2021 when COVID cases were on the rise once again, one of our amazing therapists started to brainstorm outdoor, nature + adventure therapy ideas to safely help get clients outdoors to work on their goals through the winter months. Snowshoeing was a great option but required supplies and funds and the therapist ideally wanted to purchase equipment so that clients could check out a variety of trails and not worry about rental costs. Our therapist applied for a $250 grant, received it, and were able to purchase 2 sets of snowshoes + hiking poles. Multiple clients have participated, and they love it. It's been a new leisure pursuit for all of them.

When Eva started RT she wasn't a big fan of the outdoors but since implementing nature walks, hiking, and snowshoeing she's come to love being outdoors and has learned the benefits of what nature provides from a fitness and emotional perspective. She will often comment about how peaceful it is and how relaxed it makes her feel. Snowshoeing is also working on her balance, bilateral integration, and so much more. It's been impactful to see clients benefit so greatly from a simple snow sport like snowshoeing.

Roger’s goal was to ride 10 consecutive miles in one session. He racked up just over 200 miles in total in 2020. He has goals of increasing productive community participation and increasing awareness of resources in his community. Biking was a great way for him to explore new parks and parts of his community.

Marlene began Recreation Therapy following a motor vehicle accident and diagnosis of traumatic brain injury. She was recently discharged after participating in a comprehensive RT program. She benefited from aquatic therapy, creative interventions, and other activities that improved her cognitive, physical and emotional well being. Following discharge we checked in with her family to see how she was doing. Marlene’s daughter shared that her mom paints pictures, plays Uno and keeps busy doing the things she learned from us. “I'm certain she misses you. Thanks for caring.”

Marlene is seen here with some planters she painted.

Eva lives at home with her parents and sometimes the chaos of her parents and her home frustrates her. She would often say during our at-home sessions that she couldn't think with all the stuff and loud voices around her. Her Mom gave us permission to create a meditation space in their extra bedroom that was being used as storage (the first photo is the before photo). Eva decluttered the space, organizing and sorting items during RT and also outside of RT with her Mom to demonstrate self-initiative. Once it was cleared out she completed an online workshop on how to create a sacred space and then she filled the room with items that were recommended during the workshop. The second photo shows Eva and her dog in her new space. This space will be used for meditation, RT sessions, adaptive yoga, and eventually a quiet space for her to do coursework when she begins college classes.

During this project, we found lots of makeup bags and purses that weren't being used. Eva and I discussed ways she could donate them and she decided on a "community mission project" that she titled - Women's Hygiene Bag Drive. During our session yesterday she submitted a grant through a local organization for $250 to purchase supplies for the bags that she will donate to a local charity that provides housing for women in need. It was great to see how one project led to another! See next picture of her mission project success! ~ Eva’s RT

Our success stories include a young man with a brain-injury who uses technology for organization and has left his wheelchair behind to volunteer and participate in a fitness program at the YMCA; a former active swimmer who, post-brain injury, has improved beyond all expectations through aquatic therapy, a gentleman with quadriplegia who's using adaptive equipment to fish again and many more.

"I love getting to exercise with my therapist. I like RT because I feel more independent; like I can choose and do things for myself. I also like interacting with people in the community that are doing the same things. I don't feel so alone.”

— Mr. M.

Elwood has come a long way. With consistent participation in RT, he has increased adjustment to his injury through community and social integration. Here, he is pictured at the airport for an accessible travel tour, in which later this year he traveled on a plane for the first time.

During Beth’s recreational therapy, she created a book, with the assistance of her RT, which outlined critical information for someone in a wheelchair to be able to access local parks. Her resource book on area parks shows specific info on each park including location, accessibility, and other safety and barriers information. The goal is to inspire local exploration and safety, and confidently experience local parks. During each session, Beth would visit a different park and, with the help of her therapist, she would photograph and document pertinent information. Beth was recently discharged from therapy and now she can utilize her book to carry on what she has accomplished through recreational therapy.

Recreation Therapy Success and Outcomes

Elwood has come a long way. With consistent participation in RT, he has increased adjustment to his injury through community and social integration. Here, he is pictured at the airport for an accessible travel tour, in which later this year he traveled on a plane for the first time.