“The world is your playground — play with a sense of destiny.” — Edward Boyen
This quote embodies the spirit of adventure and encourages us to pursue activities that fuel the mind, body and soul. Creating community among others and improving health and quality of life are among the many benefits when we participate in meaningful leisure activities. This heartfelt article highlights unique recreational and travel activities using specialized equipment and encourages Complex Rehab Technology stakeholders to get involved.
One fun way to start is with the Adaptive Surf Project. This amazing project is an inclusive surfing and community access program started in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and now reaches individuals as far as Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. The program began with a group of surfers taking three friends with spinal cord injuries out to surf. The program has developed over the last 12 years to serve 80 surfers at six major events per year. The program now has custom surfboards made by a skilled shaper in Florida to accommodate a variety of surfers in prone, sitting, kneeling and supported-stand positions. The program is run by volunteers in the community, both young and old. Volunteers may coordinate registration, organize food, take photographs, assist with surfing or provide in-water assistance.
The group is also passionate about inclusive access to beaches for all individuals. Co-founding Director Luke Sharp states, “If you can’t access the beach, you can’t surf either way.”
The group is now using a $200,000 grant to lay beach mats and provide beach wheelchairs across coastal North and South Carolina, and has also laid mats in Puerto Rico.
In addition to the adaptive surf project, the group also hosts adaptive bike rides. They have a variety of adapted bikes and provide support to individuals and families for biking on planned bike rides, with 10 organized bike rides per year. The bike rides are for children and adults with varying abilities.
Trish Toole shared her experiences traveling to Sydney, Australia, with her family. She notes traveling to and around another continent with a medically complex person was an adventure. From Trish and her son, Alex: “Oh, the places I have taken my wheels!” As a family, they found a number of accessible destinations that made inclusion effortless. Trish notes that the first photo is from the boardwalk at Curly Beach and has titled it “Travelin’ Light.”
In 2018, the Toole family relocated from Seattle, Washington, to Sydney, Australia, with two of their sons, one dog, a lot of gear and a great sense of adventure. From Trish:
“We found friendly people and beautiful beaches. Traveling with a large, heavy electric wheelchair introduced us to all the wheelchair-friendly opportunities in and around Sydney, including the Opera House, harbor ferries, buses, trains and shoreline walking trails. We also found many old-school cafes, one step up from the street, that continue to cheer on our Aussie brothers and sisters on wheels in their fight for universal access. I didn’t include the ugly pictures from mashed toes that got too hot in shoes, or our four-day stay in the intensive care unit with pneumonia, but even then, we sought out and found the help we needed with no more drama and trauma than at home. We traveled heavy, with 10 medical carry-ons, oxygen (yes, on the flight), two wheelchairs (manual and power), a Raz shower commode chair and eight checked bags — but we found help where we needed it in the airports and in the sky from Alaska, Qantas and British Air. There were times when we didn’t know whether we would go forward, only to be met with “these are all medical bags, it’s not a problem.”
Trish notes her overwhelming takeaway is a deep gratitude for the kindness of strangers who became friends. When they were stuck, their need became a point of connection and friendship, as others helped them on their journey.
You see, when it comes to life and living, leisure isn’t just a “nice to have;” it’s a necessity. In these moments, we are allowed (encouraged even!) to regulate and reset our nervous systems, soak up the sun, access rich sensory experiences, try something new or take the road less traveled. Experiences beyond our routine are opportunities to learn, flex our neuroplasticity pathways and experience the joys of life while connecting with others in memorable ways.
Leisure offers restoration, connection and the chance to slow down and spend meaningful time with our communities, loved ones and friends. Access to leisure is a fundamental human need — essential for people of all abilities — and it helps us build networks that extend far beyond our working roles. When we invest in shared experiences, we create space for friendships to form in ways where the terms “client, customer, patient or provider” naturally fall away.
It should come as no surprise, then, that the research shows these experiences are genuinely good for us. The physiological, psychosocial and communal benefits recognized in participants of adaptive sports research can be generalized to anyone involved in pleasurable activities, from athletes and participants to their care teams, even, and maybe especially, when taking in a concert at the Sydney Opera House.
Traveling with life-sustaining equipment facilitates and bolsters independence, increases institutional and structural awareness, and in so doing, invites some risk. Much can be said for improvements made and needed for accessible travel; it’s also important to acknowledge the differing perspectives of individuals accessing leisure and travel and the unknowns that come with “firsts” for individuals who require mobility equipment.
For individuals with lifelong equipment needs, the opportunity to travel means being able to set off on solo adventures, developing a sense of self, exploring accessible beaches and building a more robust lexicon of problem-solving tools and techniques, and more. It also means confronting environmental and self-imposed barriers, perceived limitations, advocating for accessibility and building confidence not only in wheelchair skills but also in systems knowledge and policy.
Individuals with acquired disabilities may face a steeper learning curve when returning to beloved activities, re-entering public spaces or discovering previously unnoticed barriers. Communities and members from both groups come together to support and learn from the life-changing, clinically significant events that occur during leisure and travel experiences.
Both populations become skilled planners, as air travel can be challenging and wheelchair damage is a real concern (though improving). It takes extra energy to find accessible ramps and plan for various scenarios. Some may be coping with grief while building a new identity, mastering new wheelchair skills, undergoing physical reconditioning and permitting themselves to set new goals without constant comparison to their previous selves. In all cases, community support and immersion are critical to well-being. Research literature and personal experiences indicate that the integration of travel and leisure unequivocally facilitates joy as a demonstrable, heart-led, clinically proven outcome.
As an avid travel blogger, Cory Lee, a Guinness World Record holder who has traveled to over 100 countries using a wheelchair, reflects on the reality of accessible travel: “It’s scary, anxiety-inducing, frustrating, discouraging and infuriating at times. But it’s also rewarding, life-changing and confidence-boosting.”
Lee’s advice for new travelers? Arrive at airports early and call airlines ahead to set expectations, because preparation alleviates anxiety and builds the confidence needed for each subsequent adventure.
Ginny Paleg comes to us with a story about her friend, Bower. She shares about how the narrative surrounding cerebral palsy is often one of challenge and limitation, but the story of Jenn Lyman and her son, Bower, shatters these preconceptions with a joyful, high-octane celebration of life and boundless participation. As a young adult navigating the world with complex, quadriplegic cerebral palsy — classified as a GMFCS Level IV Bower’s life, guided by his mother’s therapeutic recreation expertise and fierce love, is a testament to the transformative power of adaptive sports and radical inclusion. Their journey from their New Orleans home to the peaks of the Rockies and the waves of Costa Rica is an inspirational blueprint for families facing similar diagnoses, proving that a severe physical disability need not be a barrier to incredible, meaningful and exhilarating recreational activities.
Lyman’s tireless work extends globally through her role as content manager for Cerebral Palsy Resource (https://cpresource.org/) and her advocacy with the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, where she champions research and education. Her life’s work — both public and private — is a powerful statement: Disability should never preclude fun, fitness, friendship or the pursuit of adventure. Lyman hosts the podcast “Cerebral Palsy Health with Jen Lyman,” a resource from the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. The podcast serves as a platform for conversations with leading experts about a wide range of topics related to cerebral palsy that affect health, fitness, function and participation.
One of the most thrilling activities Bower has conquered is skiing. The sheer speed, the vastness of the mountain, and the precision required seem utterly incompatible with the motor limitations of his cerebral palsy. Yet, Bower has been skiing in the Rockies, experiencing the exhilaration of the alpine sport. This incredible feat is made possible through the world of adaptive skiing, a specialized field within therapeutic recreation. For someone with Bower’s mobility level, this typically involves a sit-ski or mono-ski. The sit-ski/mono-ski is specialized equipment consisting of a molded fiberglass or composite bucket seat mounted onto a single ski or bi-ski (two separate skis). The seated position provides the necessary trunk support that Bower cannot generate independently.
For Bower, adaptive skiing is not just a physical activity; it is a profound sensory experience. The rush of cold air, the blinding white of the snow, the feeling of speed and the majestic mountain views all contribute to a rich, stimulating and challenging form of self-expression. It is a powerful rebuttal to the notion that the highest level of physical recreation is reserved only for the able-bodied.
From feeling the rush of ocean water over surfboards, the surge of adrenaline from speeding down snow-covered slopes or exploring accessible boardwalks and beaches, everyone deserves opportunities to participate in recreation. Living with disabilities should not prohibit individuals from accessing leisure opportunities, experiencing joy, creating community and fueling their soul.
By highlighting adaptive sports and travel experiences shared by CTF[DB1] members, we encourage CRT stakeholders to reflect on how our industry can integrate CRT to expand travel, leisure and adaptive sports for our clients and their families.
The world is indeed our playground. May we pursue it with the expectation of endless possibilities. It’s a dance with the ocean, in that sweet spot between control and surrender that everyone deserves the chance to experience, and living with a disability should never disqualify us.
Amber may be reached at amber.ward@advocatehealth.org.
Tabatha may be reached at TabathaOT@gmail.com.
Leslie may be reached at otrjackson@yahoo.com.
Amber Ward has been an occupational therapist for more than 31 years, most recently in an outpatient clinic for individuals with progressive neuromuscular diseases and in a wheelchair seating clinic. She is an adjunct professor in the Occupational Therapy Assistant and master’s Occupational Therapy programs at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, in addition to working full time in the clinic. She received the RESNA (Rehabilitative Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) Assistive Technology Professional certification in 2004 and the Seating Mobility Specialist certification in 2014. She is the author of numerous articles and book chapters, as well as speaking and presenting locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Ward is also a friend of iNRRTS.
Tabatha James, ATP, SMS, OTR, is a supplier-side Assistive Technology Professional and Seating and Mobility Specialist and occupational therapist invested in furthering the Complex Rehab Techology industry through public health policy, clinical advocacy and technology innovation. With a passion for improving health care access and equity, she collaborates with clinicians, policymakers and industry leaders to drive meaningful changes. James’ dedication extends to mentoring emerging professionals and contributing to initiatives that improve access and lead to better outcomes for individuals relying on CRT.
Leslie Jackson, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, CEASIII, LSVT BIG Certified, has served as an occupational therapist for over 25 years in various settings, including outpatient, acute care, home health, acute rehab and a doctoral-level academic program. She currently leads the outpatient Seating and Mobility Clinic for Marion Health and serves as an occupational therapist for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jackson earned the Assistive Technology Professional certification from RESNA in 2008 and is certified in ergonomics and LSVT BIG, a treatment protocol for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. She volunteers as an executive board member for Services for the Visually and Hearing Impaired, a nonprofit organization providing assistive technology and education to its clients. Jackson is honored to contribute through the Clinician Task Force’s advocacy and educational initiatives.
References:
Adaptive Surf Project. (2022). Retrieved from www.adaptivesurfproject.com
Curb Free with Cory Lee (2024). Retrieved from https://curbfreewithcorylee.com/wheelchair-travel-blog/cory/
Isidoro-Cabañas, E., Fresno, N., Sánchez-Calero, M., GarcĂa-Salvador, S., & Gil-Franco, M. (2023). Adaptive sports participation and its influence on mental quality of life in adults with physical disabilities. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 8(3), 125–135.
Bulut, S., Kaya, T., & Demir, A. (2024). Adaptive sports and mental health: Exploring psychological outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Journal of Assessment and Research in Applied Counseling, 12(1), 44–58
Shao, J., Cui, Z., & Bao, Y. (2025). Emotional resilience, empathy, and social inclusion outcomes in adaptive sports programs. BMC Psychology, 13, Article 109.