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The establishment of the Wellness Center at
New England Village has enhanced our commitment to promoting a healthy
lifestyle for the men and women of the Village and others with
disabilities from the community, and solidify our place as one of the
premiere service providers for adults with developmental disabilities in
the country.
Health care professionals agree, one of
the most important components for leading a healthy lifestyle is good
physical fitness. A moderate to high level of physical fitness enables a
person to proceed through the course
of their day undertaking their
daily activities as well as leisure activities without becoming overly
tired, thus allowing them to lead a quality lifestyle. A moderate to
high level of physical fitness also helps to prevent certain conditions
or diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity, adult-onset diabetes,
osteoporosis, depression, low back pain, and general tiredness.1
Unfortunately, and it is well documented by professionals in the
disability and health care fields, there has been a lack of focus on
physical fitness for people with developmental disabilities resulting in
fitness levels “significantly lower than the general population”2 in all
areas of fitness, namely, muscle strength and endurance, flexibility,
body composition (body fat), and cardiovascular endurance. For example,
“whereas one-third of all Americans are overweight, close to one-half of
people with mental retardation are overweight.”3
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“For people
with disabilities,
inclusion in
health promotion efforts
continues to be limited by
inaccessible programs
and facilities.”6 |
Neither percentage is gratifying, but the gap suggests a lack of
awareness from health educators and professionals of the importance of
physical fitness for people with disabilities.4 “Two major barriers to
improving the fitness levels of someone with mental retardation are
motivation and opportunity.”5 New England Village, through its
established wellness programs, has consistently broken down these
barriers for the men and women of the Village and the creation of a
Wellness Center will further demonstrate our understanding of the
importance of physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle for people with
disabilities.
The Wellness Center is designed to provide numerous health, wellness and
enrichment programs. The 14,000
square foot building includes a 30ft. x 50ft. swimming pool for
therapy-based classes, a Jacuzzi, exercise equipment room, fitness area,
a walking track, new art room including a pottery kiln, kitchen to
accommodate cooking classes, a wellness education center and a massage
therapy room . (Click on the above link to learn more
about our Wellness Center programming.)
Our Village founders always envisioned a ‘recreational center’ as a part
of our Village campus. Original drawings and early architectural plans
included this type of facility and throughout our history the subject of
building such a facility has repeatedly arisen. Today, our concept of
the center has changed slightly with our center focusing on
health and wellness initiatives as well as recreational pursuits.
Sharing our commitment to this project are Village family members Arnold
and Seima Sollar. With their most generous lead gift and through their
leadership and vision they have made this project possible, and it is in
their honor that we have named the building the Sollar Wellness Center. Top
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| 1.
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Dr.
James H. Rimmer, Ph.D., “Physical Fitness in People with Mental
Retardation,” The Institute on Disability and Human Development,
The University of Illinois at Chicago |
| 2. |
ibid. |
| 3. |
ibid. |
| 4. |
North
Carolina Office on Disability and Health and the Massachusetts
Office on Health and Disability. (2003). “The Health Promotion
Resource Guide, Promoting the Health and Wellness of People with
Disabilities. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina, FPG
Child Development Institute, NCODH |
| 5. |
op.
cit. |
| 6. |
op.
cit. |
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