Slowly Treading
Adapted program participant John Shatz works on the treadmill with instructor Mary Bennet
photo credit: Kate Wilson
Program participant Marty Espinoza practices walking without his cane while volunteer instructor Joe Turner helps by giving pointers.
Learning to walk again without assistance is Jon Shatz’s current goal.
Shatz’ spinal cord injury and surgeries addressing his spinal column inhibit his range of motion, so he’s focusing on aerobic and core as part of
his program.
He is a client of De Anza’s Adapted PE department which has the goal of getting program participants to achieve their fitness goals and motivate them to stay on track with their goals.
Increasing physical fitness is a goal many students with disabilities work to achieve with assistance from the De Anza College Adapted Physical Education Department.
After obtaining permission from students’ medical providers, APE instructors collaborate with students to design and implement a
fitness program.
“Tandem work with the physical therapy and medical community supports total body fitness,” said Jim Haynes, head of the department.
Adapted PE counters the negative effects of limited range of motion due to an injury by modifying exercises for increased physical fitness.
Many disciplines blend to create the success of a student with a disability and Haynes considers APE a unique field among these modes of treatment.
Kinesiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, human performance and recreation therapy are complimentary disciplines addressing the needs of a disabled person’s well-being.
Haynes said the complimentary disciplines historically address rehabilitating the injury itself.
“In adapted PE we’re more concerned about a holistic approach to a person’s total physical fitness, including staying socially connected and weight management through nutrition,” Haynes said.
“Ultimately the students get range of motion here and it benefits them,” said instructor Larry Bloom.
“We teach physical fitness by presenting opportunities for students to improve, working through pain with range of motion and stretching, encouraging our students to reach their goals,” instructor Mary Bennett said.
Former employee and volunteer instructor Joseph “Joe” Turner said people are trying to stay fit no matter what their injury is.
He said De Anza’s program helps them accomplish their fitness goals.
Turner works some with program participant Marty Espinoza in regaining strength and mobility after a stroke and broken hip.
“This department is truly the best place in South Bay, San Francisco for keeping my fitness up with the kinds of injuries I have,” said Espinoza.
Shatz described a dedication to regaining mobility that includes his fitness program with De Anza and working with another local organization where he utilizes the anti-gravity treadmill.
“When you get all these treatments working together to help you heal, that’s when you recover from your injuries best,” said Shatz.
