<\/p>\n
After 32 years of teaching an adapted-exercise class at<\/p>\n
The clients come from Holly House, which offers a day program for adults with disabilities, Durango School District 9-R and home-schooling programs. The FLC students master the use of diagnostic techniques \u2013 such as assessing physical abilities, including strength, speed, cardiorespiratory endurance and balance \u2013 and learn to work with clients who have cognitive disabilities.<\/p>\n
The concept of adapting applies to both the FLC students and their clients.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe talk about physical fitness,\u201d Simbeck said, \u201cand we also talk about behavior management techniques, how to motivate people. We have clients who would do whatever you ask of them, but they\u2019re not necessarily able to. Or clients who are very able, but they don\u2019t want to do it. We have to adapt for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laboratories aren\u2019t just for science. Working with the clients is considered the experiential laboratory for classroom instruction in exercise science, where students have been learning concepts about exceptional conditions and disabilities that affect individuals in exercise programs.<\/p>\n
In addition to learning about assessment tests and diagnostic strategies, students study legislation that affects adapted-exercise programs.<\/p>\n
The students plan to use what they\u2019re learning in myriad ways, including as personal trainers, K-12 physical education teachers, physical therapists and coaches.<\/p>\n
Simbeck, who is a certified adapted physical educator, is also a Special Olympics coach in several sports. Many students continue working with their clients with cognitive disabilities after the class ends, whether it\u2019s with Simbeck to coach the Special Olympics volleyball team in the fall and the basketball team in the winter or volunteering with the Durango Adaptive Sports Association.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a community requirement,\u201d said ASA Program Director Ann Marie Meighan, \u201cand getting motivated students \u2013 getting the people we work with paired with young, fun, enthusiastic volunteers \u2013 adds a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
The class is part of a Fort Lewis initiative called Community-based Learning and Research, which requires students to either do research or be hands-on with a community group. After Meighan signs off that the FLC students have met their 25-hour requirement, many continue to volunteer for ASA, some for many years, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Cathy\u2019s class exposes students to people with disabilities and makes it not a scary thing,\u201d Meighan said. \u201cThey feel comfortable with the population we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 20 or so students who volunteer for Special Olympics often travel to a tournament in Grand Junction or Denver with their partners, Simbeck said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey spend real time with them, and they get to see their determination, that they try hard and give it their best,\u201d Simbeck said. \u201cThey get down when they\u2019re losing and are happy when they\u2019re winning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simbeck first became involved with adaptive sports during college, when she worked with the recreation department for the County of Los Angeles and \u201cwas volunteered\u201d to work at the International Special Olympics, which were taking place there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like I had a knack for adapting things for people with different abilities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
For her contributions, Simbeck has received a 20-year Anniversary Award from Community Connections, which runs Holly House, in recognition of her commitment to improve quality of life for people with developmental disabilities.<\/p>\n
The adapted-exercise class is a requirement for three of the four specializations in the Exercise Science Department at Fort Lewis.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like this class because everybody wins,\u201d Simbeck said. \u201cWorking with Holly House helps my students learn better, reinforces what they\u2019re learning in class and become more adept at working with those with disabilities, and at the same time, we\u2019re doing something with the community. These individuals get to come up on campus to do fun activities with students, and they get to spend time with people they might not interact with otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simbeck also considers herself a winner from the adapted-exercise class.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have the best experience,\u201d she said, \u201cbecause I learn more than what most teachers get from tests. I get to see my students as encouraging, kind, caring to these people.\u201d<\/p>\n