The Professional

Therapythrough Kelly Machowicz lets out a soft shout as she walks over and sees the classic children's board game Hi Ho! Cherry-O set up on the classroom table. "Oh my gosh! I haven't played this in so long," she exclaims to fellow therapeutic recreation major Preston Brown as they sit to test the adaptive technology developed for this game that introduces children to counting. "I didn't think they'd have this kind of technology available for something like this." The adapted game board and spinner make Hi Ho! Cherry-O more accessible so people with dexterity concerns and other adaptive needs can continue to participate in such activities with their family and friends. This was one of 12 stations set up for the class that introduced therapeutic recreation students to the types of adaptive technologies available for the people they will serve in this rapidly growing profession. In addition to Money magazine recently ranking recreational therapists in the top 10 of "Best Jobs for Saving the World," the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Recreation CMU among nat ion's leaders in a growing field Outlook Handbook projects employment for recreational therapists to grow 17 percent through 2020. Reasons for the projected increase in recreational therapists include the large baby-boom generation as it ages and the number of wounded soldiers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. "There is a compelling need for people being able to use therapeutic recreation to maintain health, functionality and emotional well-being," says Mary Lou Schilling, assistant professor of recreation, parks and leisure services administration. "The fortunate thing about our program is we're among the only programs in the nation with adaptive equipment." Students in the program learn to use specialized equipment to play adaptive sports – such as golf, hand cycling, wheelchair basketball and sled hockey – and host regular clinics to introduce the public to the resources available for people living with disabilities and others recovering from illnesses. Working with different populations is one of the features that attracted Holly Bengel to RPL student Holly Bengel, left, and faculty member Mary Lou Schilling monitor student Lashauna Garrett's results in an activity controlled solely by her breathing. the therapeutic recreation program. She says she is committed to increasing awareness of the program's work to improve people's quality of life. "I know how important recreational activities are to me, and I want to provide the same opportunities to others who often are overlooked," Bengel says. "Seeing the looks on their faces when they realize they still can be involved in these activities is a great experience for me." Robert Frost is an assistant professor and interim chair of the recreation, parks and leisure services administration department. He says in addition to providing training that enables students to become credentialed recreational therapists at the undergraduate level, the program serves as a springboard for more advanced degrees. One student who sees this option is Lashauna Garrett, a senior therapeutic recreation major who also is in the pre-physical therapy program. "Therapeutic recreation is home for me," Garrett says. "This experience will help me to put a creative and recreational spin on my work as a physical therapist." • Robert Frost, interim chair of the recreation, parks and leisure services administration department, watches as Alyssa Gracik, left, Kyle Garland and Megan Ellinger test an adaptive Etch A Sketch. 4 November 2012 • the professional

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