New York State
Inclusive Recreation Resource Center

Stories of Successful Inclusion

“Jim”

The Recreation Referral Service has made significant impact on the life of one particular individual, “Jim.” After spending 4 years in a long-term care setting after sustaining a traumatic brain injury, Jim is now living in an apartment. Before meeting his Inclusion Advocate, his only community outings involved doctor’s appointments and social service meetings. After conducting a recreation assessment, the advocate worked with Jim to identify a scholarship at a local community center, a pool that had a lift for assisting with transfers, and additional recreation activities. Jim is now volunteering at a local animal shelter and swimming at his community center.

“Jenna”

When Jenna decided that her recreation goal would be to develop her cooking skills, she had no idea that she would be making a new friend as well. Through the NYS IRRC’s Recreation Referral Service (RRS) Jenna, who has an intellectual disability, was interested in learning to cook. The Inclusion Advocate who was working with her taught her how to find and choose recipes on the internet. Soon Jenna began to fill a blank cook book with recipes. To showcase her new cooking skills, Jenna decided to plan a birthday party. Jenna made a list of guests, picked out the food she would serve, and made and sent the invitations. Two of the people Jenna chose to invite were Joanne from work, and Emma, another student at SUNY Cortland working with Joanne through the RRS. At first Joanne did not really want to attend the party because she was nervous about the event. After Emma encouraged her and assured her they would go together, Joanna agreed to attend. They all had a great time and Jenna and Joanne are now friends and plan to get together again. Both of the Cortland students, Alyssa and Emma said that they look forward to getting together with them outside of the RRS setting. Jenna is continuing to add to her cookbook and wants to fill it with recipes of foods she enjoys.

“Jake”

During his initial assessment with a Cortland student, “Jake” expressed interested in getting more involved in community recreation. Brandon, the Inclusion Advocate has introduced Jake to the local nature center where Jake now enjoys experiencing the outdoors through hikes and the center’s nature programs. For several weeks, Jake and Brandon have been volunteering together. Not only has Brandon introduced Jake to the center, but he has introduced staff at there to the Recreation Referral Service and how they could be trained. Brandon has also helped Jake to get involved in a church community, something Jake has wanted to do for a while. Brandon has been actively pursuing another volunteer to help take the Jake to church in the future.

“Sarah”

Another advocacy, Jane, has been working with an eight year old girl with a developmental disability. Jane has been actively trying to connect Sarah with the Girl Scouts to get Sarah involved with that organization. Sarah also expressed interest to Jane in trying gymnastics. Jane found an inclusive gymnastics program for her to join. Sarah went once and loved it and plans to continue participation. Jane has also been teaching Sarah to ride a bike without training wheels, so that she can go on bike rides with friends

Email your success story to:
InclusiveRec@cortland.edu

• About the Recreation Referral Service
• Request a Referral
• Meet Trained Inclusion Advocates
• Stories of Successful Inclusion
• For Trained Inclusion Advocates Only