Yes, you have a disability. Yes, you are not as young as you used to be. That doesn't mean you need to accept that it is a long downhill slide. You can take responsibility for your health. Yes, you! This part of the workshop is in two sections. Although the first part is pretty general, on physical activity and obesity, these areas are so critical to health and so much more of a problem in Indian country that if we did not include them we would be negligent. The second section is specific to common concerns of adults with disabilities, particularly older adults; range of motion exercises, pressure sores, strokes and diabetes.
Whether you are an individual with a disability yourself or a family member providing care, all of the information in this section can be applied to your situation.
EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Physical activity doesn't have to mean working out at the health club. In fact, as Dr. Flores said in his article on health for elders,
"Somehow we can't see a lot of Spirit Lake grandmothers doing sit-ups and jogging in place to Jane Fonda workout tapes."
Too many people give up too easily when it comes to exercise and nutrition on the reservations. Click here for the October, 2003 issue of Spirit Lake VR News. The article American Indian Elders: Medical Considerations, is on page 4. What these authors remind us is that there are many options for exercise and physical activity that fit in the daily lives and culture of our elders.
Maintaining a healthy weight and active lifestyle are not 'feel-good' issues for those yuppies who live on the west coast. A risk we want to prevent in individuals with disabilities is developing "secondary disabilities". How unfair does it seem when your brother with Down syndrome also is diagnosed with Diabetes and begins to go blind? How sad is it when you already have learning disabilities and arthritis and now you have heart disease?
It is sadder still if you haven't taken the preventive steps you could to take charge of your health, to help your family member with a disability keep from becoming more disabled. Not convinced yet? Please go to the next section on health risks and obesity.
Next: Obesity and health risks