Summer... Time to Party!

By Catherine Steele

Ahhh... summer! No more pencils, no more books, no more... well, you know how that old rhyme goes! Summer is that wonderful time of year when youth, and teachers, can forget about school and have fun.

A good way to have fun is to go out with a friend. It’s nice to go out and see or hear something new, and it’s even nicer to share an outing with a friend. Do you know how often 7,000 youth from a Canadian National sample, aged 11-16 years, went out in the evening? A total of 37 per cent went out four or more evenings a week! Wow!

Do you think youth with disabilities go out more, the same, or less often? When 250 youth from across Ontario with physical disabilities (aged 11-16 years) were asked, they said that they went out in the evening much less often... only 11 per cent went out four or more evenings a week.

Are you surprised that youth with physical disabilities go out less often? There are probably many good reasons for this: challenges with accessibility; transportation problems; weather; and amount of time to do things that have to be done. But going out and socializing with peers is an essential ingredient to everyone’s health.

Summer is an ideal time to start exploring options or ways in which youth with disabilities can socialize. Let’s list a few of the options: You can participate in activities at community centres or libraries; be a volunteer and help others; go to sporting or social events (e.g. baseball games); go to the movies, or out for meals; or visit friends. You can also enjoy the outdoors with friends by going walking/wheeling, having a picnic or going camping. Or you can learn to socialize with others through the computer via bulletin boards (BBSs). There are many, many possibilities!

Choose an activity that is interesting to you, put on dark glasses and suntan lotion and go out and party! Summer lasts until September, so one has time to try different options. Some youth will find it difficult to go out, but through experience, the more you go, the easier it will become. So, have a terrific summer -- and let others share your company!

If you have any neat ideas or suggestions on ways youth with disabilities can socialize, please let us know by contacting Catherine Steele at Bloorview MacMillan Centre in Toronto (416) 425- 6220 (or 1-800-363-2440), ext. 642. Or leave an e-mail message at ortccs@oise.on.ca.