“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire…to unite people in a way that little else does” – Nelson Mandela
Program Overview
Steel City Adaptive is a sports-based rehabilitation program for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) or disability(ies) and their caregiver(s) whose quality of life can be enhanced through sports. The physical, mental, and social benefits of high-performance sports have traditionally been limited to only a small percentage of athletes, and individuals with SCI have rarely been offered to sport rehabilitation—until now.
Target Population and Inclusion Criteria
- This program targets individuals at or above the age of 15, who have an interest in any sport (excluding e-sports).
- Eligible participants are medically stable, and have recently completed acute inpatient rehabilitation (transitioning from hospital to home).
- Participants and/or their caregiver(s) have a personal interest in sports, and can safely participate in physical exercise.
Program Deliverables
- Participants and their caregiver(s) will benefit from:
- Improved mental health through sessions with a mental health professional or performance psychologist - centered on goal setting, visualization, and cognitive reframing.
- Sports and community-based physical conditioning sessions and specialized physical therapy - centered on elasticity, strength, and cardiorespiratory conditioning.
- Once monthly recreational sports-based event for the simple purpose of building community and having fun.
Potential Outcomes
- Increased physical, mental, and social health outcomes for participants and their caregiver(s) (confidence, self-esteem, self-efficacy, optimism, leadership skills, empathy, resilience, physical fitness)
- Increased quality of life for participant and their support person(s)
- Increase motivation
- Reduced compassion fatigue among caregiving family members
- Reduced sedentariness and mental/social detachment for the participant
- Allows individual to participate in physical activity with people they may not meet in every day life.
- Social acceptance and interaction
Mission Statement
Physical health is just one component of our recovery program, our true mission is improving the lives of the patients we serve. Steel City Adaptive is an inclusive sport rehabilitation program serving at-risk individuals with spinal cord injury or disability(ies) and their caregivers whose quality of life can be enhanced through sports. The program is based on the emphasis of physical health, mental health, and social inclusion. Rehabilitation is achieved through sport specific exercises, regular mental health sessions and social sports activities inclusive of a supportive community. Our true mission is improving the lives of the people we serve. Our commitment is to encourage, support, and lead by example to develop confidence and improve physical health and mental wellbeing. We strive to help each participant and their community live a full and inclusive life through sports.
Value and Significance
The program takes an (1) individualized, (2) sports-based, (3) ecosystem/family-unit approach to post-acute spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Through holistic sports-based rehabilitation, patients and their support system can get physically, mentally, and spiritually stronger together.
Partners
Donate
Financial contributions provide critical funds necessary to help offset program expenses, such as rental fees, adaptive equipment, participant nutrition and hydration, and instructor fees.
You can make a tax-deductible contribution directly to our program by clicking here: https://www.giveto.pitt.edu/3dsrp
For information about making a major or planned gift, or other philanthropy-related questions, please contact Andy Ziegler at raz37@pitt.edu or 412-398-3354.