Can adventure be considered a type of  therapy? For many people with disabilities, it can. In fact, “Adventure Therapy” (AT) is becoming a popular treatment for disability’s symptoms. What exactly is Adventure Therapy?

“Adventure Therapy is the union between a person with a disability….and a specific outdoor interest.” AT is proving to be a useful, enjoyable therapy that greatly adds to someone’s quality of life.

Adventure Therapy has multiple potential benefits for someone with a disability or handicap.

Adventure Therapy is most likely beneficial to a person with a handicap or disability in dozens of ways. Here are just a few perks of Adventure Therapy:

– Improves self-esteem

– Increases self-confidence

– Benefits “all aspects of life”

These are lofty advantages. How is Adventure Therapy able to impact people so profoundly? By changing their mindsets about their own abilities.

“Adventure Therapy allows people with disabilities to do, go, and see, thus bringing a new dimension to their lives.”

This ability to “do, go, and see” can be monumental in the lives of individuals with restrictions. Why? Because they are inundated with messages of restriction everyday of their lives.

Ours is a culture that often focuses on what a person with a disability cannot do, not what he or she can do. Adventure Therapy causes a mental change, shifting the focus onto ability, not disability.

Adventure Therapy gives individuals with disabilities a dual sense of freedom and control.

One woman with a disability said of sailing, “It’s the first time in many years where I am in total control, leaving my chair behind.” Can you imagine how freeing sailing must have been for this woman? For her and many others, adaptive outdoor activities are proving invaluable.

What does Adventure Therapy entail?

Adventure Therapy can include just about any adaptive outdoor activity that a person enjoys. These activities could be hiking, skiing, kayaking, sailing, etc. What form of Adventure Therapy would you most enjoy?

Are you ready to try a form of therapy that takes place outdoors and includes activities that perhaps you have never thought you could do? If so, consider Adventure Therapy.

Before engaging in any type of Adventure Therapy, please discuss it with your primary physician or therapist. He or she can help you determine what would be the most beneficial adaptive outdoor activity for you to take part in. Remember to have fun!

Sources:

http://www.abilities.ca/health_activity/2004/04/15/adventure_therapy/

https://circle.ubc.ca/handle/2429/889

http://geartrends.com/geartrends/upload/winter_ch2.1.pdf

Image made available by brewbooks on Flickr through Creative Commons License.

*Please note: All research for this article is compiled from direct and third party sources. Mention of programs, organizations and companies does not imply support of The National Benefit Authority.  Pictures are for creative purposes only; they are not intended to sell or promote products for the NBA and belong to the accredited individual, organization or company.

Let’s Talk About It

What form of adaptive outdoor Adventure Therapy would most appeal to you? Why?

How do you think Adventure Therapy could bring a sense of freedom to someone with a physical, emotional, or mental restriction?