Changing lives

Therapeutic Recreation program success celebrated by community

Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak (above)
speaks to the audience celebrating the success of the Western
Wayne County Therapeutic Recreation program
at the Summit on the Park last week. 

Canton Township celebrated success last week during a special recognition program honoring the achievements of the Western Wayne County Therapeutic Recreation Program at the Summit on the Park.

Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak explained that the program had achieved a positive impact on hundreds of program recipients whose lives had been improved with numerous opportunities to learn and reinforce life skills. These skills helped break down barriers for individuals with disabling conditions, she added.  Several representatives from local communities served by the program along with Wayne County officials and other dignitaries were on hand to help recognize the positive impact of the program. 

Several Wayne County and local community officials were in attendance during
the recognition of the success of the Western Wayne County Therapeutic
Recreation program at the Summit on the Park in Canton last week. 

The special event recognized the work that the Western Wayne County Therapeutic Recreation program provides year-round to individuals from 8-years of age into adulthood, who are in need of these unique services and adaptive recreation opportunities. The event also recognized the ongoing support of Wayne County, as well as the surrounding communities that enable these programs to provide these inclusive programs to residents of Wayne County, officials noted in a prepared statement.

Typical Therapeutic Recreation classes and activities offered at the Canton facility include: art, aquatics, fitness, and sports, as well as cooking workshops, Leisure Club field trips, seasonal events, dances and parties, and summer camp.  These year-round inclusive opportunities enable participants to acquire and improve life skills, as well as enjoy experiences that would otherwise not be accessible to them, officials said.

Canton Township Leisure Services is committed to an inclusive approach to recreation, which allows for individuals with disabilities to participate in programs and activities as fully as possible, while providing reasonable accommodations. Therapeutic Recreation (or “TR”) accommodations typically include individualized techniques and resources that enhance participation without fundamentally altering a program, according to officials.

Individuals participating in Canton's Therapeutic Recreation programming must be able to accomplish personal skills like feeding, toileting, and dressing themselves. Individuals who are unable to accomplish these skills on their own may participate with assistance from an aide, family member, or other personal resource, according to a statement from the department. 

More information about the program, is available in many forms such as large print, audible, braille or other, by calling (734) 394-5430.