What is a Recreation Therapist?

By: Ryan Hawks

Often when I tell people my role at SVA, they look at me with a quizzical look on their face. What is a recreation therapist anyway? Each of knows the benefits of a healthy recreational experience. After we do something that we enjoy, it brings feelings of renewed ability to cope with all the challenges that life can bring. However, persons with disabilities generally have physical, mental, social, or emotional limitations that may interfere with their recreation. The profession of recreation therapy focuses on helping individuals develop, maintain, and express an appropriate leisure lifestyle. My job at SVA is to help students improve their leisure lifestyle by providing:

· recreation classes (camping, biking, etc.)

· meaningful activities (this past year’s activities have included cross-country skiing, service opportunities, camping trips, an etiquette luncheon, bowling tournament, and many others)

· one on one visits where the students develop skills necessary to have a health leisure lifestyle.

The hope is that as students develop a healthy leisure lifestyle they will see other physical, mental, social, or emotional benefits that will contribute to their overall quality of life and life satisfaction.