PHC produces Fit for Life and Sport guides for disabled adults
As part of an Active Healthy Living Grant from the Coca-Cola Foundation led by Prof Vicky Tolfrey (Principle Investigator) the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport (PHC) has developed a number of impairment-specific guides to help people understand how to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.
There are currently five guides- amputation, cerebral palsy, spinal cord impairment, visual impairment and les autres so that people can find the right guide for them. A number of impairment-specific practitioners have contributed to the guides and they have been compiled by Terri Graham and the PHC team.
These resources can help people get Fit for Life. They start with the basics and teach people how to lead a healthy, well-balanced and active lifestyle, and they allow people to progress at their own pace. Importantly, all the information is one place so that people don’t have to spend hours finding information specific to their impairment.
If an individual chooses to take up a sport, the Fit for Sport section will help them understand how to adjust their training and nutrition, and how to use some psychological skills to improve their sports performance. No matter what level an individual is currently at, or even if they are just getting started, these guides can help them to achieve their own personal goals. Most importantly, these guides aim to give people the confidence to lead a healthy, more active lifestyle and maybe try something new.
Each guide has its own ambassador: Richard Whitehead (Amputee), Sascha Kindred (cerebral palsy), Andy Barrow (spinal cord impairment), Georgie Bullen (visual impairment), and Zoe Newson (les autres).
The PHC team would also like to evaluate how the resources are being used. Please help them by providing your email address when you download a guide and they will be in touch in the near future to get your feedback.
Amputee ambassador: Richard Whitehead
“Not everybody wants to be an athlete and everyone has different goals: yours may be to join a sports club, learn how to run using your new prosthesis, or simply to get fit and healthy but whatever they are, don’t let anything get in your way. I am a strong believer in living life without limits.”
Visually Impaired ambassador: Georgie Bullen
“Having an impairment can often limit peoples’ outlook, but through sport I’ve led a happier and healthier life and achieved more than I ever thought I could. Whatever your limitations, sport can help you to break down the social and physical barriers that can often come with the isolation of impairment, helping you to meet new people and feel more confident. Being fit and healthy has more benefits than simply physical, as it gives you a drive and a sense of fulfillment that is hard to beat.”
Les Autres ambassador: Zoe Newson
“Having played sports such as Football and Athletics as a child I started Powerlifting at the age of 14 and have never looked back. My advice is to try lots of different sports and activities so that you can find some that you really enjoy. This will help improve your health and fitness, and help you to stay active in the long-term.”
