Recreation therapy students and people with disabilities organize a community party.
In the lead up to Halloween, there's the usual whirl of excitement around wicked costumes, fearsome jack-o'-lanterns, and of course, free candy.
But there's a particularly joyful hum at the Winnifred Stewart Association, an organization that works with people with developmental disabilities, and the Paralympic Sports Association that offers adapted sport and recreation activities for people with disabilities, of all ages. That's because the associations' members and 18 recreation therapy students in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta, are putting their heads together to arrange a fun, family Halloween party - but with a twist. This one is for their families and the community.
"Often people who experience disability find that things like this are arranged for them, rather than being an integral part of the organization," says Nancy Spencer-Cavaliere, a professor of adapted physical activity who teaches the fourth year recreation therapy course at the U of A. "So this is great opportunity for everyone - recreation therapy students and people at the Winnifred Stewart Association and the Paralympic Sports Association - to work as a team to arrange something for the enjoyment of others; they're the hosts this time."
To Spencer-Cavaliere the partnership of students and the associations' members pooling their collective ideas, drawing on each others' strengths and organizing the event together, is an important change and what makes this event a real success.
The idea germinated when Spencer-Cavaliere, who sits on the board of the Paralympic Sports Association and alumna Suzanne Harrison, PSA program coordinator, began thinking about how important it is for everyone, people who do and do not experience disability, to have opportunities to make meaningful contributions to others. "We wanted to do something different - to create a true community partnership," she says.
The response was more than positive. "Participants wanted to do something where they were the givers as opposed to being the recipients," says Spencer-Cavaliere. "For the past two months, the lab participants, U of A students, and people from WSA and PSA, have been learning alongside each other in activities that have included roller sledge hockey, adapted yoga, square dancing and of course planning the Halloween party. Planning the party has been a collaborative endeavour, where the focus has been on recognizing each others' strengths," stresses Spencer-Cavaliere. "From the student perspective, this isn't about getting marks, there are no marks to be had. This is about working in an interdependent environment, where individual potentials are maximized to produce a rich and meaningful experience for everyone."
The organizers met to brainstorm ideas, then examined what strengths there were within the team, their various talents and abilities. Invitations were crafted.
For everyone, she says, there was a little shyness initially. Then, as the ice was broken and lab participants became comfortable with each other, the attachments grew. "The emphasis is often placed on what makes us different. While valuing these differences is important, through planning this event collaboratively, we have also discovered what we have in common." Perceived differences soon melted as the organizers shared in the excitement of a shared venture.
Participants have thought out games and will organize a number of stations where trick-or-treaters and other guests can take part in activities. There'll be dancing, crafts, prizes and of course, plenty of treats.
They'll meet on Thursday to pull it all together in advance of the big day on Saturday, where they'll give everything a dry run.
On Saturday the WSA will swing its doors wide to welcome families and friends, lead their guests in games and activities and throw a Halloween party that's about more than candies and scary costumes. It's about inviting the community in, breaking down barriers and stereotypes, and very importantly, having fun, says Spencer-Cavaliere.
"People who experience disability should be a valued part of the communities in which they live and recreate, but this is often not the reality. This event is a way for the WSA to open its doors to the community and invite them to meet the people who are part of it and those who take part in its programs," she says.
More information about the Winnifred Stewart Association at http://www.winnifredstewart.com and the Paralympic Sports Association at http://www.parasports.net/
Party information
- Saturday, October 30 from 3-5 p.m.
- Winnifred Stewart Association, Main Gym, 11130 -131 Street, Edmonton