Week 4: Case studies, inclusive climbing and leisure centres

It’s come to the end of week 4, which means that I only have three days left on my placement with Sport for Confidence. I think this week has been productive, and I’ve enjoyed working with Gab and Alana. I can see a clearer role for physiotherapists in SfC than I did even a week ago, and in some ways it’s a shame that the placement has to end so soon.

Online meetings with disability and inclusive climbers

This week, we had online meetings with an inclusive climbing group and a disability climber. First, we spoke with Max from Not So Trad, an LGBTQ+ climbing group. After introducing ourselves, Max shared his personal experiences with the climbing community, and how Not So Trad has become more inclusive and diverse since it was founded. It was very useful to get an insight into the need for inclusive climbing groups and what they can offer. I’ve been thinking about how I can encourage people from marginalised groups to join a club in which they feel included and safe, to help them become active and reduce the risk of physical inactivity. When I become a fully-fledged physio, I intend to keep making connections with inclusive and diverse sports in the area (e.g. Colchester Kings RFC, an inclusive rugby club), so that I can signpost people to these groups when needed.

Gab, Alana and I also had an online chat with Clare Hands, a teenager who took up climbing after she experienced a life-changing stroke at the age of 13. We spoke to Clare and her mum about their experiences with climbing and how it has positively changed both of their lives. They told us about their local climbing wall, and the types of climbing equipment that can be used to help people with different disabilities. Clare's story is incredible. I am in awe of her persistence and her positive outlook towards life. Clare showed a remarkable level of bravery and determination to take up climbing, and her mum has been amazingly supportive all the way. Their story has inspired me to think about how important it is to know about local disability sports and to break down barriers that might be stopping people from being active.

Indoor bouldering is just one type of rock climbing, but it's easily accessible to most people.
Source: Pixabay

Basildon

Gab and I visited Basildon Sporting Village, which is where Sport for Confidence started. We spoke with Lyndsey, the director of SfC. Not only has she grown SfC from just one participant to where it is today, but she told us a moving story of her own experiences and struggles with the healthcare system. She emphasised how important it is for Allied Health Professionals (e.g. PT's, OT’s, speech & language therapists and dieticians) to keep persisting with so-called ‘difficult’ or ‘awkward’ patients. Lyndsey very nearly lost her ability to play netball as a result of a rare disease, but it was the OT’s and physios who got to know her personally who made the most difference to her recovery.

At Basildon, we spoke to some of the regular participants who attend both an MSK physio clinic and SfC. They benefited from the MSK appointments because the exercises they have been given are relevant to the activities they enjoy at SfC. I can see how important it is for physios to give people exercises that are relevant to the activities and tasks that they want to do. A generic, bland sheet of exercises will soon find its way underneath a mound of paperwork, but a personalised exercise plan incorporated into a sport is much more likely to be successful.

As a side note, I have to say that Basildon Sporting Village has an amazing athletics track!
Source: Pixabay

Colchester & Chelmsford leisure centres

Gab and I visited the sports centres in Colchester and Chelmsford again. In Colchester, we helped a participant in the gym with her individual exercise programme. We were able to talk through her exercises and adjust them as appropriate. I can see a clear role for a physio here, as it would take the load off the OT’s and coaches.

Multisports was good but we had to make changes to the basketball activities. Two people in my team were wheelchair users who had limited use of their legs, and two other participants had limited verbal communication and required a lot of facilitation from their carers. We adapted the games by using a big soft ball instead of a hard basketball, so that the participants could propel the ball with their feet. This made the whole session so much more enjoyable and rewarding. In future, I will always think about ways to adapt exercises and activities, e.g. using different equipment or changing the objectives of the game to make sure that everyone in the team benefits from the activity.

Part 2 of this week's blog entry will be up very soon!