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How to get involved in disabled sports

January 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Disabled sport has become an increasingly important consideration for local councils and the government. As a result, the number of facilities has increased significantly in recent years and more people are participating in disabled sport than even before.

Where can I find details of local facilities and venues?

If you are interested in joining a team, starting a sport, signing up with a gym or finding out about facilities for disabled sport in your area, you can contact the local council. Many venues are used by disabled people, as well as able bodied people, while others are designed specifically for disabled participants. Often a venue will host specialist disabled sport sessions and offer rooms that are adapted to suit the needs of disabled clients; for example, the gym may have specially adapted equipment and machines.

Elite disabled venues

Elite paralympic athletes compete in a variety of different countries, stadiums and sports centres. The plans for London 2012, the next Paralympic Games, are extremely impressive, with millions of pounds being invested into venues as well as training facilities, infrastructure and athlete’s accommodation.

The Paralympic World Cup has been hosted in Manchester since 2005. The competition allows athletes to compete on a world stage at an impressive venue, the Aquatics Centre. Competitions and tournaments are hosted all around the world and stadiums and disabled facilities are becoming increasingly impressive and innovative.

Access for all

The government has invested a lot of time and money into making sport more accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. Policies and measures have been introduced to allow everyone to get involved in sport. Local councils are now encouraged to make leisure activities accessible to disabled customers and leisure providers are required by law to make their premises accessible to people with disabilities. Councils and schools are also being encouraged to provide a larger range of activities, which incorporate disabled sports and sessions for disabled people, such as swimming and gym sessions, for example.

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What is a sensory room?

January 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment

A sensory room is a room which is specifically designed to give users a sensory experience. The room can be as big or small as you like and will be filled with equipment, toys, materials and technology which provides stimulation for the senses.

What do you usually find in a sensory room?

A sensory room is tailored to fit the individuals who use the space and may be filled with a variety of equipment, which is designed specifically to provide a sensory experience. Examples of things you might find in a sensory room include:

  • Lights: this may include plastic tube lighting, fibre optic lights, different coloured lights, dimmer lights, mirror balls.
  • Noises: most sensory rooms have CD players, tape players or iPod docks so that people can listen to different types of music. Music is usually used to calm people down. Other auditory equipment and items may also be used, including wind chimes and sound machines.
  • Touch: sensory rooms usually contain a range of different materials, which enables the individual to touch and feel different textures. The sensory room may contain cushions, bean bags, soft play mats. The sensory room may also have equipment such as tactile walls, foam books, sponges and tactile puzzles.

What are the benefits of a sensory room?

Sensory rooms can have benefits for everyone but may be particularly beneficial for children and adults with special needs, behavioural disorders, sensory processing disorders and disabilities. Sensory rooms are multi-functional and can help to stimulate the senses, as well as relaxing and calming people down. Senses can be stimulated by following flashing, colourful lights, pressing buttons, hearing noises and sounds and feeling different textured materials, but the sensory room can also have a calming influence. The exciting flurry of lights and sounds can quickly be adapted to create a calming, relaxing environment, where people can lie back and be soothed by dim, slow lighting, pleasant, soothing smells and calming music.

The sensory room can be beneficial for many different people. For people with disorders or conditions that affect their senses, the sensory room can help to stimulate their senses and help them to gain a sensory experience, develop new skills and explore their senses. For children with behavioural disorders, a sensory room can help them to take time out and calm down when they are getting anxious and unsettled.

Who can benefit from a sensory room?

Anyone can benefit from a sensory room but they are usually found in children’s nurseries and health centres, clinics and facilities which cater for both adults and children with disabilities, special needs and sensory processing disorders.

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Diabetes and teenagers

January 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Teenage diabetes has seen a rapid increase in the UK due to an increase in child and teenage obesity, which is linked to a poor diet and a lack of exercise. Research shows that teenagers are living an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, choosing to spend time watching television, using the Internet and playing on computer games, rather than participating in sports or outdoor activities.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is not usually associated with young people; however, in recent years, rates of type 2 diabetes amongst young people have soared. Type 2 diabetes is often linked to obesity; it is a lifelong condition, which affects the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes occurs because the body does not produce sufficient amounts of insulin to control blood sugar; it can also result from the insulin not working as it should do.

Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

●      Thirst

●      Frequent urinating, especially during the night

●      Weight loss

●      Loss of muscle mass

Preventing type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is commonly associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and obesity; by taking a few steps, you can dramatically reduce your chances of developing the condition; these include:

●      Exercising on a regular basis

●      Eating healthily and cutting down on fatty, sugary and salty foods

●      Giving up smoking (if applicable)

●      Cutting down on drinking (if applicable)

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is much less common than type 2 diabetes; it is usually known as juvenile diabetes because it is most common amongst teenagers. Type 1 diabetes occurs as a result of the body not producing any insulin; this means that the body cannot control blood glucose levels.

Managing type 1 diabetes at school and college

Type 1 diabetes is a potentially serious, lifelong condition, which must be monitored very closely. Insulin must be pumped or injected into the body on a daily basis and this can interfere with daily life, especially when you are busy at school or college or you are going out for the day. Make sure that people around you know that you are diabetic and ensure that they know where you keep your insulin injections. When you are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you will be referred to a multi-disciplinary team, which will cater for all aspects of your treatment. They will teach you how to inject insulin, which foods to eat and which to try and avoid and give you treatment to ease any symptoms you may develop. Type 1 diabetes can take some adjusting to but you will soon get used to your daily routine and there will always be people around to help you or give you information.

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Diabetes symptoms

January 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The different types of diabetes have similar symptoms, as they do for the different age groups including teenage diabetes, but symptoms of type 1 diabetes tend to develop very quickly, while those associated with type 2 diabetes develop gradually. Consequently many people with type 2 diabetes have the condition long before they are diagnosed because the symptoms are fairly general and people do not necessarily realise that something is wrong with them.

Type 1 diabetes symptoms

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop quickly, over the course of a few days; they include:

●      Unquenchable thirst

●      Dry mouth

●      Weight loss

●      Loss of muscle mass

●      Urinating frequently

●      Cramps

●      Constipation

●      Skin infections

●      Recurrent episodes of thrush

●      Blurred vision and dry eyes

People with type 1 diabetes do not produce any insulin and this means that their body cannot regulate blood glucose levels; as a result, glucose levels may drop and this is known as hypoglycaemia. Symptoms of hypoglycaemia include:

●      Sweating

●      Tingling lips

●      Hunger

●      Weakness

●      Nausea

●      Feeling shaky

●      Becoming irritated easily

Type 2 diabetes symptoms

Many people with type 2 diabetes experience symptoms but do not go to their doctor because the symptoms are general and they are not specific to diabetes. Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

●      A constant thirst

●      Going to the toilet frequently, especially during the night

●      Weight loss

●      Feeling very tired

●      Losing weight and muscle tone

Less common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

●      Blurred vision

●      Itchiness around the genitals

●      Recurrent bouts of thrush

●      Longer healing time for cuts

Type 2 diabetes prevents the body from being able to control blood glucose and this means that blood sugar levels can become very high; this is known as hyperglycaemia. Symptoms of hyperglycaemia include:

●      Extreme thirst

●      Blurred vision

●      Drowsiness

●      Frequent need to urinate

●      Dry mouth

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