B RENDAN A ND E LOISE ’ S P RESENTATION ON B ARRIERS TO L IFELONG P HYSICAL A CTIVITY

I am a blind man of 23 years of age. I became blind after running over an I.E.D (Improvised Explosive device) in Afghanistan. I left the army after this crisis. I have recently continued participating in circuit to keep my fitness levels up. But I am set back by restricted access to certain equipment such as running shoes. But I also have to use a Seeing Eye dog (guide dog) every time I participate. This is very challenging for I have to rely on others and my dog as to where to go. Scenario

Key Implications for participation in Physical Activity: Vision: It is hard for a person who is visually impaired to participate in Physical Activate because the visually impaired are not aware of what they have to do because they cannot always see how to do the skill on the circuit. Cerebral palsy: People with cerebral palsy may not be able to participate in physical activity because they often have seizures and other impairments affecting their speech, vision, hearing and/or intellect.

Paraplegia: People that suffer from paraplegia are not able to participate in Physical Activity because they are paraplegic from that a certain area of their body down. For example some people are paraplegic form the waist down and are left to be in a wheel chair for the rest of their lives. Hearing: People that are hearing impaired have difficulties listening to what the instructor have to say or explain before you start circuit. Also they would not hear how to do the work safely. I believe that if you are hearing impaired and on a jog you could not here all the sounds around you and many serious accidents could occur. It would also be hard for an instructor of circuit because he or she would have to speak slowly for an interpreter to interpret in sign language.

To modify this activity to make it easier for me, I have made this circuit in an open area in my back yard with a fence around it so I do not get lost. I have had help from friends who have removed potential dangers and have helped me train my dog to take me around the circuit and make sure I move in the right way. I always have a friend constantly watching me to make sure nothing bad happens. This is just a safety precaution but I do not get them to say anything unless completely necessary.