Recreation can mean different things to different people. An academics view is that recreation is a pleasurable pursuit that people undertake in their free time, and is viewed to have social value for that person (Hurd & Anderson, 2011). For you, it may be something that helps you destress, and forget about your worries for a short time. It could be something you do indoors such as, reading, watching television, or playing FIFA on your PS4 or XBOX. It can also happen outdoors e.g. walking on the beach, running, or fishing. Basically, it encompasses all the things I just mentioned and more. Whatever it means to you, that is what’s important. As it is something personal to you, that you enjoy doing during your free time.
I bet you think of it as something that makes people better. You might think of a councillors office, or psychiatrists couch. You may be thinking about physical forms of therapy, for individuals with disabilities, or injuries. When you are thinking of these forms of therapy are you imagining a hospital setting, or rehabilitation facility? Well you’re not wrong. Therapy can come in various forms, and take place in the settings just mentioned. Therapy by definition can be used to treat, heal, or relieve an illness, disorder or physical ailment. However, it doesn’t just treat illnesses or ailments. It can mean so much more than this for many people. Let’s get back to Therapeutic Recreation (TR), what exactly is it? It joins both recreation and therapy together and what you get is something pretty amazing.
First, let’s look at it from an outside perspective…
Picture this, you pass a room in college where a group of people are playing a game of Monopoly. What do you see? What do you think? You may think that it looks like fun, and wish that you could get away with playing Monopoly in a lecture. Now put yourself in this scenario… You walk into a café and see a neighbour having lunch with people you don’t know. You approach to say hello, and attempt to engage in friendly conversation. However, when you get there your neighbour greets you, but apologises and says she can’t talk right now as she is working. What are you thinking? “Well that didn’t look like work to me’’, “wish I could get paid to have lunch and chat’’.
Finally, imagine you’re at a party and hear someone discussing their job. They are talking about how they love going bowling, playing bingo, having quiz nights, and that they’re attending a match on Sunday. What are you thinking? “Wow, what job do they have?’’ “Wish my work involved having fun, going on outings, and not have to stress about anything.’’ “They have a great job!’’.
In actual fact, all these scenarios are TR in practice….
That game of Monopoly you thought was just a bit of fun, was teaching individuals with intellectual disabilities counting skills, and how to manage money. That neighbour you thought was getting paid simply to have lunch, was giving the individuals she works with time away from a residential setting. She was providing them with a place where they could work on their social skills, and maybe even get over their fear of crowded places.
Lastly, that party goer whose job sounded like just fun and games? What you didn’t see was all the work that he has to do in the background. Organising funding for these activities, deciding what activities work best to meet the specific needs of his clients. All those hours spent in front of a computer screen planning, and writing reports. What about the fact that this weekend was his one weekend off a month? He was going to spend it relaxing with family. However, at the last minute a ticket became available for one of his clients to go to a match. Unfortunately, they have no one to go with them. If they don’t go they will be stuck in the hospital all weekend. He couldn’t let that happen, so he is giving up his weekend to bring his client to the game.
This is TR in action! It has meaning. It has purpose!
Basically, it means that there is a process involved in choosing specific recreational activities, that will meet the needs of the TR client. This process is known as A.P.I.E, which means: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Assessment involves collecting information about the person you are working with, in order to determine what they need and want to get out of a TR programme. Planning includes creating a programme, which incorporates activities that aim to achieve the goals of your client. Implementation, involves putting your programme into action. Finally, in the evaluation stage you must review how your client is progressing towards their goals, and adapt the programme if needed.
That’s the thing about TR… It can take place just about anywhere, and has benefits for so many people. It can be used for people with intellectual disabilities, or in a hospital setting alongside the rehabilitation process, for someone with a physical disability. It is important to note that, TR does not just benefit individuals with disabilities; it can benefit everyone. It can take place in nursing homes, prisons, communities, schools, or hospice care. It can help people with addiction problems, eating disorders, confidence issues, homeless people, youth at risk, or the terminally ill. It can be used for adults and children alike. That is the beauty of Therapeutic Recreation.
As part of the TR module of my course, we had the pleasure of a visit from a guest speaker; Joey Whyte. Joey has worked with Barretstown, and came to speak to us about the great work that they do. Barretstown is a charity that runs camps for children with serious illnesses, and their families. The camps have on site medical assistance, accommodation, and food; it is all provided free of charge. The purpose of the camps is to let children just be children, instead of a “child with illness’’. It puts the emphasis back on fun. It allows the children and their families to spend time enjoying themselves, away from hospitals, machines, and constant talk of illness (J. Whyte, Personal Communication, Oct, 5, 2016).
Activities are designed to allow everyone to take part and to be included. They put emphasis on challenge by choice, that allows children to try new activities. These activities give the children a chance, to push themselves outside their comfort zone, but not to the point where they are stressed, or panicked. Barretstown do amazing work, and I could see the passion that Joey had for his work as he spoke. However, one poignant thing stuck with me the most…. As part of camp, reflective activities are used. During one such exercise the children were asked, if they could choose a super power what would it be? To which one child responded “I would want the power to heal everyone here, so that we wouldn’t need a Barretstown’’ (J. Whyte, Personal Communication, Oct, 5, 2016).
Unfortunately, this isn’t possible. Thankfully there are TR services available, like Barretstown, to help those who need it most…
That is the power of Therapeutic Recreation!
Author: Caroline Hayes
4th Year BB (Hons) in Recreation and Sport Management
Bibliography
Hurd, A. & Anderson, D. (2011). The Park and Recreation Professional's Handbook. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics