July 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 38

PARK AND RECREATION MONTH
The therapeutic
recreation program
at Glenwood
Springs Parks and
Recreation is a
shining example of
how parks and recreation
can make
a difference in the
lives of every individual,
despite their
real or perceived
limitations.
obstacles in his life, he let out an
emphatic, " Yeah! "
Not only is climbing helping his
social and emotional well-being,
but also the physical
activity is
helping him build the strength to
use his wheelchair himself and
become more independent in other
areas of his life.
Seeing Isaac so happy and motivated
has been extremely helpful for
Juana. While Isaac's confidence has
grown, hers has too. As his mother,
she knows Isaac is taken care of and
kept safe while participating in the
program, and she is so proud to see
the progress he has made.
" His body has also become much
stronger, " says Juana, " which also
makes my job easier because he is
becoming more independent and can
support himself better, so I don't have
to exert myself physically as much. "
Independence is a key factor that
Fabijanic focuses on in the program.
For example, helping climbers put
on their climbing shoes on their
own instead of putting them on for
them shows participants what they
are capable of.
" I think it gives the families another
vantage point...of knowing
what's possible... " says Fabijanic.
38 Parks & Recreation | JULY 2 0 2 3
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
Building Relationships
Fabijanic's 10-year-old daughter,
Sakura, has been a classmate of Isaac's
for a while, so Fabijanic has seen
him throughout the years in school
settings, but she never knew him in
the way she does since he joined the
climbing program. They have become
very close, and Isaac never fails to say,
" Hiii Laineee, " in a sweet, excited
voice each time they connect.
Sakura and Isaac also have become
closer friends, racing up the climbing
wall weekly. Fabijanic is so proud
that her daughter gets to go back to
her classmates and say, " Isaac rock
climbs standing up. Like, you guys
have no idea what Isaac can do -
but I do, because I see him do it. "
" For him to have a peer that is
sharing with his classmates about all
the things he can do for himself, that
is so fulfilling for me, knowing that's
happening, " says Fabijanic. " Knowing
how capable he is instead of seeing
what he struggles with. "
Isaac's brother, Abraham Alonso,
also was born with a disability and
has started to join Isaac on the climbing
wall, truly making it a family affair.
Juana and her husband, Zacarias
Alonso, are very involved and regularly
bring both boys to various types
of recreational activities - although
climbing is clearly their favorite.
Family involvement has been
an important piece of the program
for Fabijanic, as well as community
engagement and awareness,
as the program is still so new. One
way the department is making this
happen is by providing outreach in
both English and Spanish, ensuring
Glenwood Springs' large Spanishspeaking
population is aware of the
offerings available. Another way they
are bringing in the community is in
the form of a Family Advisory Committee,
which helps Fabijanic learn
what families in the community need
and what will benefit them the most.
" That's really important, working
with people with disabilities, "
says Fabijanic. " I don't know what
our community needs until I hear
from them. And, I want to plan
with people, not just for them. "
A Legacy of Inclusion
With its commitment to inclusion,
community and well-being, the therapeutic
recreation program at Glenwood
Springs Parks and Recreation
is a shining example of how parks
and recreation can make a difference
in the lives of every individual,
despite their real or perceived limitations,
and truly build community.
" I love to see the joy that recreation
can bring somebody. And, ultimately,
that's what I'm here to do
- make the world a better place, "
says Fabijanic. " We'll start with
Glenwood Springs. "
To hear more from Laine Fabijanic,
tune in to the July bonus episode of
Open Space Radio at nrpa.org/July
2023BonusEpisode.
To learn more and celebrate " Where
Community Grows " during Park and Recreation
Month, visit nrpa.org/July.
Cort Jones is Senior Manager of Digital
Content at NRPA (cjones@nrpa.org).
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE VAN WYK, CITY OF GLENWOOD SPRINGS PARKS AND RECREATION
http://www.nrpa.org/July2023BonusEpisode http://www.nrpa.org/July2023BonusEpisode http://www.nrpa.org/July
July 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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