How to help a handicapped person with sports

1. Understand the limitations of the handicap. Most handicapped people can play sports with non-handicapped people. You need to understand what limitations the person has and what can be done to overcome the handicap. Focus on what the person can do athletically. 2. Find ways to compensate for the handicap. Once you know what limitations need to be overcome, determine how to compensate for the handicap. The body has an amazing ability to overcome; when one sense is impaired, other senses can be more sensitive as a way to compensate. You need to consider what activities the person can perform. 3. Support their interests. You must find out what sports activities interest a handicapped person. If they are not interested in baseball, they won’t want to be involved in it. If, however, they enjoy basketball, there are many ways to get them involved with the sport. You could help them learn more about the game, take them to a game and introduce them to people who play the game. 4. Pick a role model for the handicapped person. There are hundreds of stories about people who have overcome a handicap to become an athlete. Some handicapped athletes have even made it onto a professional sports team. You need to show a handicapped person what can be accomplished when they believe in themselves, develop their talent and work hard. 5.Play sports with them. Put together practice games with friends before challenging people you do not know. A handicapped person can gain confidence by playing with friends and that confidence can transfer over to games against strangers. It is also easier to enjoy sports when competition taken out of the equation. 6. Join a league. There are special events held for handicapped people every year. Most places have a league or Special Olympics opportunities. There are many benefits to joining a league designed to help handicapped people be involved with sports. Usually everyone involved understands and relates to people with disabilities. Handicap International