Editor:
Here is a “shout-out” to The Daily Utah Chronicle and staff writer Andreas Rivera for expanding the horizons of the U community. In his article (“I can do these things,” Feb. 1), he highlighted a student-athlete from a different perspective than we might think of when we hear “athlete.” The photograph and article give us renewed awareness of people from different cultures that live and participate within our society.
In the photograph, Marie Flores, a second-year medical student, is practicing tennis with her coach, Dean Oba, both of whom are wheelchair-users. The article mentions that Flores participates in the Therapeutic Recreation and Independent Lifestyles program through the U’s Rehabilitation Center. I would like to let your readers know that there is a therapeutic recreation academic program that grants a bachelor’s degree through the department of parks, recreation and tourism, in the College of Health. Yes, there is a degree through which students become recreational therapists and work with people with disabilities like Flores. The Therapeutic Recreation program is one of a few in the West that is accredited and prepares students with an education and skills to become practicing therapists.
Recreational therapy is not limited to working with individuals who use wheelchairs or have physical disabilities. Recreation therapists work with individuals or groups of individuals with similar disabilities to improve multiple facets of their lives from learning how to function physically, socially or cognitively, making choices and decisions that improve their quality of life.
It is great to see that the awareness of the lives of all citizens in our society is being increased through the media. I commend The Chronicle for its role in educating the U community.
Steven Bell,
Professor, Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Therapeutic Recreation emphasis available
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