Advanced Recreation Therapy

The Full Story

What started as a 1,200-mile hand-cycle ride from Boston to Atlanta, has turned into JTF’s second initiative: Advanced Recreation Therapy (ART). Returning to life post-injury is critical in overcoming limitations to lead fulfilling lives. ART provides individuals with the opportunity to access new adventures to explore an inaccessible world with a disability while creating lasting memories. Our goal is to allow young adults to reintegrate back into society, and do the things they often feel are impossible. Through ART, a disability doesn’t prevent an individual from trying new things but rather encourages them to find new ways to be active in society after a traumatic injury. Guided by knowledgeable staff, people can focus on learning new skills to overcome limitations and find independence.

Three Focus Areas

Designed to drive independence and engagement through three key areas

Adaptive Sports

Returning to sports post-injury can feel overwhelming. Together, with industry partners, individuals can work towards improving independence, physical exercise, and goal centered activity.

Adaptive Activities

Getting together as a group to share ideas and learn about activities that utilize adaptive techniques to get people back to the things they love. Group activities can create a sense of doing things independently and creating passions.

Experiences

A guided experience at a public venue can break down accessibility barriers and allow participants the opportunity to make memories and instill optimism for being independent in social situations outside of JTF.

JTF's "Fun Fund"

In June of 2023, JTF initiated its first ART collaboration, funding the adolescent program at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. Recreation therapy is a pivotal program that allows individuals new to SCI to have the opportunity for experiences while guided by Shepherd staff. Outings and recreation play a key part in returning to society with a disability, and helps in learning new ways to do the things we love to do, while boosting independence and mental health.

"This life-changing experience has changed my perspective on my injury as a whole. Being surrounded by so much joy and such a diverse set of people has taught me so much about how I can pivot and live a long life as a person with a spinal cord injury. I had never been skiing even before my injury and being able to try this as open my eyes to an entire new sport."

Paris Carter, 2024 ART Participant