"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." (Albert Einstein)
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Therapeutic riding is a great way for your child to feel the benefits of a therapy session while having a blast and leaning more about their body movements. When a rider sits on a horse, the movement of the horse simulates the same movements as walking. This stimulates the muscles and also helps with blood flow. In order to follow the movement of the horse, riders must develop good balance and core strength. Much of staying on and moving with a horse comes from your trunk. A few more benefits of riding are...
-improving core strength
-stimulating circulation and muscles in the legs
-achieving balance
-improving posture
-improving muscle strength
-coordination skills
It takes more than the reins to turn a horse. Riders use their head, twist their body from side to side, and their eyes to direct the horse in the direction they want to go. All of these exercises help promote and improve motor skills along with cognitive skills. (www.regardinghorses.com) When the rider leans slightly forward the horse feels that and then goes faster, once the rider sits up tall and deep into the saddle the horse then slows. Riding horses is also a great outlet for physical activity, which is so important for the health of people with cerebral palsy but can be difficult to come by.
High Hurdles Therapeutic Riding of SASi provides therapeutic riding for children, beginning at three years old. They help individuals who are challenged by physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities residing throughout Erie, Wyoming and Cattaraugus Counties. The mission of High Hurdles is to provide a unique opportunity for growth, development and other positive changes for individuals with special needs, and to foster the community's awareness, appreciation, participation and donor involvement through the horse/human bond. (http://www.sasinc.org/highhurdles.aspx)
P.O. Box 526
Sardinia, NY 14134
http://www.sasinc.org/highhurdles.aspx
(716)496-5551
-improving core strength
-stimulating circulation and muscles in the legs
-achieving balance
-improving posture
-improving muscle strength
-coordination skills
It takes more than the reins to turn a horse. Riders use their head, twist their body from side to side, and their eyes to direct the horse in the direction they want to go. All of these exercises help promote and improve motor skills along with cognitive skills. (www.regardinghorses.com) When the rider leans slightly forward the horse feels that and then goes faster, once the rider sits up tall and deep into the saddle the horse then slows. Riding horses is also a great outlet for physical activity, which is so important for the health of people with cerebral palsy but can be difficult to come by.
High Hurdles Therapeutic Riding of SASi provides therapeutic riding for children, beginning at three years old. They help individuals who are challenged by physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities residing throughout Erie, Wyoming and Cattaraugus Counties. The mission of High Hurdles is to provide a unique opportunity for growth, development and other positive changes for individuals with special needs, and to foster the community's awareness, appreciation, participation and donor involvement through the horse/human bond. (http://www.sasinc.org/highhurdles.aspx)
P.O. Box 526
Sardinia, NY 14134
http://www.sasinc.org/highhurdles.aspx
(716)496-5551
Moving Miracles
Moving Miracles is a dance program serving children and adults with special needs in the Western New York community. Moving Miracles is a non-profit organization committed to helping individuals with special needs reach their highest potential using a kinesthetic approach. The program provides a safe, non-threatening environment for the dancers to grow and express themselves. They combine dance, creative movement, music, rhythm and props. Through the dance and movement the dancers develop self-expression, self-esteem and socialization. Moving Miracles has a variety of dancers with all types of special needs. Some students require hand over hand assistance while others need little direction.
Moving Miracles offers many types different types of dance classes. Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, and creative movement. Every student can enjoy any of these classes no matter their needs. They also provide an innovative non-ambulatory program for dancer who use a wheelchair. Moving Miracles is the only program of its kind in the area that is nationally recognized by the National Dance Education Organization.
This dance studio uses a holistic approach that encourages the mind, body, spirit connection. They use dance movements, props, music, visualization, imagery and mirroring to bring awareness to the individual of their own bodies in the environment. Spatial relations, body awareness, and sensory integration all benefit from the creative movement and dance.
954 Union Road Suite 1
West Seneca, NY 14224
(716)-656-1321
http://www.movingmiracles.org/index.html
Moving Miracles offers many types different types of dance classes. Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, and creative movement. Every student can enjoy any of these classes no matter their needs. They also provide an innovative non-ambulatory program for dancer who use a wheelchair. Moving Miracles is the only program of its kind in the area that is nationally recognized by the National Dance Education Organization.
This dance studio uses a holistic approach that encourages the mind, body, spirit connection. They use dance movements, props, music, visualization, imagery and mirroring to bring awareness to the individual of their own bodies in the environment. Spatial relations, body awareness, and sensory integration all benefit from the creative movement and dance.
954 Union Road Suite 1
West Seneca, NY 14224
(716)-656-1321
http://www.movingmiracles.org/index.html
Cradle Beach Camp
Cradle Beach Camp is a camp for children from 8-16 with special needs and children from low-income families around Western New York. The camp is geared around getting the kids to socialize with peers, and increase independence all while being in a secure safe place. Cradle Beach serves around 800 children with special needs or low-income. The kids attend the camp for 7-10 days overnight that focus on education and training in a recreational setting. The atmosphere of Cradle Beach camp is one of a kind. There are tons of activities for the campers to enjoy and participate in. From basketball, swimming, culinary arts, computers, drama, to dance the children can thrive in a comfortable setting. Cradle Beaches entire program is focused on the 40 Developmental Assists by the Search Institue. These are building blocks for healthy development that all children need to grow up to be healthy, caring and responsible adult. (http://www.cradlebeach.org/content/pages/camp)
8038 Old Lakeshore Road
Angola, New York 14006
Phone: (716) 549-6307
Fax: (716) 549-6825
http://www.cradlebeach.org/
Gliding Stars
Mission Statement : The Gliding Stars organization provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to increase their personal potential through development of ice skating skills in a regular program. With instruction and practice in their own local community, culminating in the demonstration of those skills publicly in an end-of-season on-ice choreographed performance, which itself serves as a source of motivation, teamwork, increased self-esteem and the 'magic' that results from transcending one's barriers in order to accomplish one's dreams.( http://glidingstars.org/index.html)
Gliding Stars was founded in 1994 by an accomplished figure skater who decided to take her talents in a new direction. She developed Gliding Stars for people of all ages and challenges. She did so to let people with disabilities experience the benefits of regular exercise, social interaction, and teamwork. Gliding stars works with all ages that are effected by physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Sessions are typically 12-26 weeks long with a publicly attended ice show at the end of each session for the skaters to show off their new talents.
For the more involved physically skaters Gliding Stars also markets many of the products they use to help the individuals reach their full potential. Some of the adaptive equipment are walkers. There are three types of walkers commonly used on the ice for the skaters. With all these different types of walkers every child’s specific need is addressed and compensated for. Even with no ability to weight bear they can enjoy and get the benefits from ice skating. Along with adaptive walker they offer adaptive ice skates for different ability levels. In addition to these devices there are supportive harnesses that come in all sizes. These harnesses ensure that the skater is safe at all times and has the ability to grow and build their skill at their own level.
Gliding Stars, Inc.
National Headquarters Office
1412 Sweet Home Road, Suite 3
Amherst, New York, 14228-2778 USA
Phone: (716) 608-8345
Fax: (716) 608-8346
Email: [email protected]
http://glidingstars.org/index.html
Gliding Stars was founded in 1994 by an accomplished figure skater who decided to take her talents in a new direction. She developed Gliding Stars for people of all ages and challenges. She did so to let people with disabilities experience the benefits of regular exercise, social interaction, and teamwork. Gliding stars works with all ages that are effected by physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. Sessions are typically 12-26 weeks long with a publicly attended ice show at the end of each session for the skaters to show off their new talents.
For the more involved physically skaters Gliding Stars also markets many of the products they use to help the individuals reach their full potential. Some of the adaptive equipment are walkers. There are three types of walkers commonly used on the ice for the skaters. With all these different types of walkers every child’s specific need is addressed and compensated for. Even with no ability to weight bear they can enjoy and get the benefits from ice skating. Along with adaptive walker they offer adaptive ice skates for different ability levels. In addition to these devices there are supportive harnesses that come in all sizes. These harnesses ensure that the skater is safe at all times and has the ability to grow and build their skill at their own level.
Gliding Stars, Inc.
National Headquarters Office
1412 Sweet Home Road, Suite 3
Amherst, New York, 14228-2778 USA
Phone: (716) 608-8345
Fax: (716) 608-8346
Email: [email protected]
http://glidingstars.org/index.html
Excalibur fishing
Excalibur is a fishing excursion that is equipped and adapted to accommodate children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. Excalibur was the first of its kind in New York State to allow accessibility on the waterfront for individuals with disabilities. This program received the Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Award in 1988 because of all the positive and outstanding services it provides.
The passengers have the choice of either fishing or boating excursion. If you choose to take part in the fishing excursion they provide all the equipment needed. They also have life jackets for either excursion. They offer rides that travel through the Buffalo Harbor, Buffalo River, Lake Erie, Niagara River, Black Rock Canal and the Inner Harbor. Each ride is two hours long. Excalibur survives on donations from the public and the service of their volunteers. They modestly suggest that families that take part in this trip donate $10 to help the program continue its services. The boat can hold up to 6 wheelchairs and 21 passengers. It is suggested that a family member or caregiver also attends the trip with the individual. Getting from the dock to the boat or around the boat in a wheel chair or any adaptive device is not a problem on the boat. Their mission statement is… We believe, that with accessibility, we are presented with opportunities, and with opportunity, the grace and dignity to participate.( http://www.excaliburls.org/)
Mailing Address
Excalibur Leisure Skills Center, Inc.
90 North Drive
Buffalo, NY 14216 USA
Office Phone (716) 831-3188
8am-5pm EST, Monday-Friday
http://www.excaliburls.org/
Program Site
NFTA Boat Harbour
(Wheelchair Access Dock)
1111 Fuhrmann Blvd.
Buffalo, New York 14203
The passengers have the choice of either fishing or boating excursion. If you choose to take part in the fishing excursion they provide all the equipment needed. They also have life jackets for either excursion. They offer rides that travel through the Buffalo Harbor, Buffalo River, Lake Erie, Niagara River, Black Rock Canal and the Inner Harbor. Each ride is two hours long. Excalibur survives on donations from the public and the service of their volunteers. They modestly suggest that families that take part in this trip donate $10 to help the program continue its services. The boat can hold up to 6 wheelchairs and 21 passengers. It is suggested that a family member or caregiver also attends the trip with the individual. Getting from the dock to the boat or around the boat in a wheel chair or any adaptive device is not a problem on the boat. Their mission statement is… We believe, that with accessibility, we are presented with opportunities, and with opportunity, the grace and dignity to participate.( http://www.excaliburls.org/)
Mailing Address
Excalibur Leisure Skills Center, Inc.
90 North Drive
Buffalo, NY 14216 USA
Office Phone (716) 831-3188
8am-5pm EST, Monday-Friday
http://www.excaliburls.org/
Program Site
NFTA Boat Harbour
(Wheelchair Access Dock)
1111 Fuhrmann Blvd.
Buffalo, New York 14203