Our Lifestyle Seminars are designed to offer solutions to achieve a more active lifestyle.

Education sessions can be modified or developed to better suit your organization by special request. We welcome your input. e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please see below all topics available for Lifestyle Seminars.

Click here for Registration Form.
Click here for PDF Lifestyle Seminars Topics list.

Lifestyle Seminar Topics

  • About Rich VanderWal
  • Choosing the Right Wheelchair
  • Manual Wheelchairs Skills
  • Wheelchair Maintenance & You
  • Home Renovations
  • Spinal Cord Injury & Sexuality:1
  • Spinal Cord Injury & Sexuality:2
  • The Meaning in Therapeutic Recreation
  • Adapted Sport and Recreation: Pressure vs. Performance
  • Participation in Adapted Sports

  • ABOUT RICH VANDERWAL

    Rich VanderWal, B.R.L.S., T.R.

    Rich graduated from Brock University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Recreationist and Leisure Studies. He then went on to Georgian College where he received his post-graduate diploma in Therapeu- tic Recreation. Prior to joining Motion Specialties, he spent five years as a Therapeutic Recreatioist at Toronto Rehab.

    In his position as a Rehab Consultant with Motion Specialties, Rich promotes an active lifestyle and encourages others to keep moving. He is an ac- complished athlete, representing Ontario and Canada in rowing, alpine ski racing and tennis.

    Rich is on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Wheelchair Sport Association, as well as being an athlete representative. He is an ambassador for The Rick Hansen Foundation and Paralympics Ontario, and provides peer support as a voluteer for the Canadian Paralympics Association. Rich is an accomplished and motivating public speaker.

  • CHOOSING THE APPROPRIATE WHEELCHAIR (TYPE 4)

    Session Time: 45-60 minutes

    Learning Objectives:

    1. Selecting the appropriate wheelchair can be overwhelming. This session will encourage participants to consider the goals and lifestyle for the next few years. The appropriate chair can be selected by networking and researching, through therapists, vendors, peers and the internet.

    Click here for Registration Form.

  • MANUAL WHEELCHAIRS SKILLS

    Session Time: 30-60 minutes

    Learning Objectives:

    1. This session will focus on basic wheelchair skills. From turns, braking and propelling, to living on the edge: outdoors, stairs, tricks and tread. Setting appropriate goals for individuals will be discussed.

    Click here for Registration Form.

  • WHEELCHAIR MAINTENANCE AND YOU

    Session Time: 30-60 minutes

    Learning Objectives:

    1. Participants will learn the various components of a wheelchair with the objective of preventing breakdown. They will also learn how preventive maintenance and regular sor- vieing will reduce down time and maintenance costs.

    Click here for Registration Form.

  • HOME RENOVATIONS

    Session Time: 60 minutes

    Leaning Objectives:

    1. This is an overview of the assessment and prioritizing of needs, budgeting for the project, consider- ations for permits, creating the look you want for your needs and celebrating your successes.

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  • SPINAL CORD INJURY AND SEXUALITY; PART I - PHYSICAL

    Session Time: 60-75 minutes

    Leaning Objectives:

    1. This session is geared to assist in understanding the physical changes to the body and one’s sexual abilities when living with an SCI. It will identify the differences between sex and sexuality, physical changes, erectile difficulties for men, changes in positioning, atrophy and pressure concerns, getting close with thermo regulation, spasticity who needs quarters?

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  • SPINAL CORD INJURY AND SEXUALITY: PART II - PSYCHO SOCIAL

    Session Time: 60 minutes

    Learning Objectives:

    1. This session is geared to assist in understanding the psycho-social changes one experiences with one’s sexual abilities when living with an SCI. It will look at the differences between sex and sexuality and coping with anger and depression, I’m not in the mood”, communication for both partners, changes in body image, calling ahead, being proactive, understanding your new body and accepting uniqueness.

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  • MEASURING UP: FINDING MEANING IN THERAPEUTIC RECREATION

    Session Time: 3 hours

    Learning Objective:

    1. This session will identify psycho-social issues faced with an SCI and how involvement in recreation can be a tool in adapting and coping. It will consider rehab experience, recent changes, common barriers, outdoor recreation, benefits to participation and adjusting to meet individual needs.

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  • ADAPTED SPORT AND RECREATION: PRESSURE VS. PERFORMANCE

    Session Time: 60 minutes

    Learning Objectives:

    1. This session looks at raising the level of quality of life, recreation as a quality of life tool, prescribing adapted sports equipment, participatory goals, pressure concerns, postural needs, custom modification, design advancements and the benefits of being involved in recreational activities.

    Click here for Registration Form.

  • BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION IN ADAPTED SPORTS

    Session Time: 30-60 minutes

    Learning Objectives:

    1. A great introduction for individuals to examine their lives and identify possible future involve- ment. Participants will consider activity choices, physical benefits, abilities and successes when beginning to look at options.

    Click here for Registration Form.