Promoting health and wellness should extend beyond the hospital walls. This idea inspired Dr. Juliet Zakel, Director of Spasticity Rehabilitation, to have residents from the MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute collaborate with Youth Challenge, a Cleveland-based nonprofit organization. Youth Challenge focuses on providing adaptive sports and recreational activities for individuals with physical disabilities, including conditions such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, amputation and muscular dystrophy.
As a board member of Youth Challenge, Dr. Zakel is deeply committed to the organization because it aligns closely with her professional mission. And having grown up with a sister with special needs, she understands the importance of such organizations in the community.
“As a provider for this patient population, I want to help people with physical disabilities live their best lives and achieve their highest functionality,” she says. “And through Youth Challenge, I can help encourage that in a fun, engaging way. The organization offers activities like rock climbing, basketball, swimming and more—it’s a great way to be active in an environment that is safe and created just for those with physical challenges.”
This collaboration also serves as a valuable opportunity for Dr. Zakel, who is the Program Director of the MetroHealth Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Residency Program, to connect her residents with the community they are preparing to serve. Last month, our PM&R residents participated in an inclusive field day, assisting with activities such as a wheelchair obstacle course, adaptive fitness and team-building exercises.
Becoming Better Practitioners
Christopher Garr, CEO of Youth Challenge, believes this experience will enhance residents’ perspectives as they begin their practices.
“We hope the residents learn perspective and can incorporate that into their practice. Education is a big part of the program—about what it is like to have a disability and how to overcome some challenges they face,” he says. “Kids take what they learn in the therapies they receive at the hospital and apply it to what they do here in sports and arts—and vice versa.”
Megan Smith, Youth Challenge’s Art Manager, agrees: “Seeing kids with disabilities function outside the hospital/medical setting will help the residents adapt and personalize their treatment plans and learn how to serve them better.”
Experts in the Field Day
By all accounts, the residents left the field day experience feeling more equipped than ever to serve those with physical disabilities.
“Spending the day with the team allowed us to see physical and social challenges our patients face,” says Felicia Wilkins, PGY-3. “I can better empathize with the frustrations they may feel, and I can also say with experience how fun adaptive play can be!”
Emily Parker, PGY-2, seconds that sentiment: “The Youth Challenge retreat was great for PM&R residents because it allowed us to experience the level of community activity we often aim to return our patients to. Although it’s been years since I laced up my shoes for D1 basketball, the Youth Challenge participants’ stories reminded me of invaluable lessons learned growing up on and off the court as a team member. It is fantastic that those opportunities are available to children who may not be able to access conventional recreational leagues.”
Residents were also exposed to the social challenges faced by many kids with physical disabilities.
“Learning what kids with disabilities go through both physically and socially, gives us a good perspective on how their lives are affected,” says Michelle Djohan, PGY-4. “It was wonderful to learn about other resources available to children with disabilities outside the hospital realm. I am glad Youth Challenge provides a haven for children to go and freely participate without fear of judgment.”
Organizations like Youth Challenge help those with physical disabilities to envision more for themselves.
“The experience allowed us to understand better how we can help our patients process their disability and empower them to continue to be active members in the community,” says Nirmal Maxwell, PGY-4.
The collaboration between the MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute and Youth Challenge exemplifies the powerful impact community engagement can have on healthcare professionals and their understanding of patients. Through hands-on experiences and interactions, residents not only gain valuable insights into the challenges faced by these individuals but also develop the empathy and skills necessary to improve their future practices.
