| West Suburban Special Recreation Association | ||
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| Each spring, the North Berwyn Park
District, through West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA)
offers over 60 programs for residents with disabilities.
All ages and all ability levels are served in therapeutic
recreation activities. Participants in WSSRA programs
include children receiving special education services and
adults with sensory, cognitive, physical or mental health impairments.  “One group that has enjoyed our programs over the last 30 years is our adults with visual impairments. WSSRA offers weekly programs for this group on weekday mornings and Thursday evenings. Our “Walk-n-Dine” program allows adults with vision loss a chance to do some fitness walking with a sighted escort. Each Tuesday, participants can walk up to one mile at their own pace at various locations. When spring arrives, we move from walking at local malls to outdoor walking tracks and nearby parks. WSSRA support staff act as visual guides and narrators along the way. Some of the participants have a little vision , some are blind and others have both a visual and physical impairment. By providing individual supervision, each walker is challenged to increase their fitness level at their own pace. We dine together at a local restaurant after our walk is over,” said Marianne Birko, WSSRA Superintendent. The top goal of all WSSRA programs is for participants to have fun and experience success in whatever activity is going on. Trained therapeutic recreation staff plan and supervise each program. WSSRA has wheelchair accessible transportation available for many programs. Adults with visual impairments also can register for a WSSRA twice monthly card club, a Thursday evening “Nite on the Town”, and excursions to museums, theaters and cultural attractions. Each fall the group travels for a weekend get-a-way to experience a mini vacation with individualized assistance. “WSSRA programs provide an opportunity to socialize and find a friend. Over the years, our participants have told us that they often benefit from meeting other people who have similar circumstances. Friendships begin to develop and soon a support network begins to grow,” Birko said. Does the “Walk-n-Dine” program interest you? Would you like to refer a friend or neighbor to any other WSSRA program? If yes, please call WSSRA for more information at 847-455-2100 or visit www.wssra. net. Interested in volunteering or becoming a WSSRA support staff? Call WSSRA, there’s a place for you, too!  Click their logo to open the WSSRA Web Site in a new window |
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