Everybody knows that outdoor recreation in Idaho doesn’t end when the snow flies, in some ways it only gets better! This is true for the patients of Rehab Specialists of Idaho who participate in our Adaptive Ski downhill and cross country events.
RSI partners with incredible companies and individuals in our community each winter to get our kids moving. With specially trained physical and occupational therapists who are certified in adaptive ski tools and teaching, you can be assured that your child’s ski experience will be safe and satisfying in a new environment.
In a 2017 study only 53% of participants with a disability reported at least one 10-minute bout of aerobic physical activity compared to those without a disability who reported at 74%. At RSI we want to teach patients and families that they can be active and participate in sports like skiing, safely.
“Skiing and being out in nature are two really important things to me, and the way that it makes me feel is something that I want to share with my [patients],” said Kirsten Farnworth, one of RSI’s occupational therapists based in the Rexburg Pediatric Clinic. “[I want to] show them how fun it is, but also give them the opportunity to work through something hard and to come out on the other end stronger, more resilient, and more independent.”
This is something incredibly unique to RSI.
“Nobody else in our area, from Montana to Pocatello, provide as many adaptive activities for their patients,” said Warren Lake, one of RSI’s physical therapists who sees patients both in the Rexburg Pediatric Clinic and with RSI’s therapy team at Madison Memorial Hospital. “We do it because the kids will enjoy it. The goal is to have fun and help the kids to get better. You can’t get this quality of care everywhere.”
Parents and children alike are very pleased with these extra opportunities provided to their children with events like this one.
Hailey Taylor, mom to 10-year-old Cash, a patient of RSI who was born with Spina bifida, said, “Our area is very limited in terms of athletics available to kids that have needs like Cash. It is so awesome that he could go to therapy and then just go right across the street to a park and go cross country ski. It’s a blessing.”
Ultimately, Lake said, seeing patients participate in events like this cross country ski opportunity are some of the most rewarding, “That’s the reason we do what we do, to improve independence and quality of life for the patient and for the family.”
Taylor agrees and says that events like this one could help children like hers find a hobby he can enjoy for the rest of his life.
“This [cross country skiing] is something realistically that Cash can do lifelong with his situation. Being able to expose him to more activities through therapy, where they are so hard to come by, is so much easier for our family. We’re really grateful when these opportunities arise.”