East Carolina University to host 15th Annual Adapted Recreation and Wellness Day
At ECU's annual adapted sports event, popular sports are adapted so that people with disabilities may participate. (Contributed photo)
East Carolina University will host the 15th Annual Adapted Recreation and Wellness Day 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Student Recreation Center. The event, previously known as Adapted Sports Day, has expanded to include a broader range of topics and activities.
“This year’s event will introduce individuals to a variety of sports, recreation, and wellness activities which have been specifically modified to allow people with and without disabilities to participate,” said David Gaskins, associate director of ECU’s Campus Recreation & Wellness.
Attendees may learn about and participate in events such as power hockey (played in motorized wheelchairs), quad rugby, armchair fitness, and creative movement. A nutrition segment is also planned.
The event will also feature ECU alumna Heather Vercoe Phillips, recreation therapist working in Rehabilitation at Pitt County Memorial Hospital and experienced athlete in swimming and goalball. Phillips is visually impaired and was previously an active member and organizer for this event. She is also an experienced speaker and presenter to a variety of audiences of topics related to people with disabilities.
“The term ‘adapted’ in Adapted Recreation and Wellness Day means an activity or sport has been modified so that someone with a disability can participate,” said Gaskins. “This event assembles a variety of instructors and leaders who are experienced in different adapted sports and can facilitate learning and recreational experiences for a wide range of participants including those that have never been involved previously.”
Adapted Recreation & Wellness Day is open to participants of all ages and abilities as well as the general public. A $5.00 registration fee covers snacks, lunch, the keynote presentation, all instructional sessions, entry into facilities, and parking. Registration for the event begins at 12:15pm on Oct. 15 at the ECU Student Recreation Center. Individuals with hearing impairments in need of accommodations should contact the Department for Disability Support Services, 737-1016 or dssdept@ecu.edu, at least 48 hours prior to the event.
This collaborative event is sponsored by ECU Campus Recreation & Wellness, Support Team for Active Recreation (STAR), ECU’s College of Health and Human Performance, Greenville Recreation and Parks, and Pitt County Community Schools and Recreation.
If you would like further information or are interested in sponsorship or serving as a volunteer please contact Mark Parker or David Gaskins at 252-328-6387 or visit www.ecu.edu/adaptedrecday.
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