Children with physical disabilities engage in 30% less physical activity than national fitness guidelines. They also spend double the amount of time in sedentary behavior relative to typically developing peers. The implications of not moving are serious and can negatively affect a child’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. To address this problem the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Division of Occupational Therapy & Physical Therapy (OTPT) designed the Be.Well program. This program provides year-round seasonal programming to get terminally ill children, children with disabilities, and their families active outdoors.
CREATING PARTNERSHIPS TO ACTIVATE PARKS
We are proud to announce that this year we are joining the Be.Well list of partners by sponsoring the program in Cincinnati Parks. With collaboration between parks, healthcare providers and community partners we will improve the lives of children and families who need it most. Part of Cincinnati Parks Foundation’s mission is to activate park spaces through engaged programming. This partnership will help meet the health goals of the Cincinnati community through the healing power of parks.
YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING IN CINCINNATI PARKS
Each year, this partnership will allow for 100 children and their families to get outdoors and exercise together for FREE. Four sessions of the program will be offered in Cincinnati Parks. Each program begins with a pre-assessment by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital staff and concludes with a post-assessment. More details to be announced soon.