Program Details

Project Shake-It-Up ran ten day-long sessions. Mornings were spent in health promotion and independent living training seminars, and afternoons in adaptive physical and recreational activities, all designed and led by people with disabilities using a peer-mentoring model.

Training seminars

Training seminars provided educational information, skills training, and peer support in the areas of independent living, and health promotion. Project staff and presenters had the experience and expertise to provide training in all selected areas. Peer support and peer mentoring was an important facet of this component of the program, as people learned from each other’s experiences and adopted healthy role models for growth, personal change, and increased participation in community life. All presentations used simple, non-technical language.

Explore the eight training seminars

Recreational activities

Participants engaged in a series of adaptive indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Many individuals with MS had not participated in activities such as cycling and boating since the onset of their disability and did not realize that such activities were even possible for them. Participants found these experiences empowering and motivating as they realize how much they can still do. Peer support was a crucial component to this process as participants served as role models and mentors for each other.

It was inspiring for participants to view the achievements of someone with a physical impairment that was similar or even more severe than their own, causing them to recognize that they too could achieve these goals. Research suggests that this change of attitude related to physical activity is generalized and applied to other life areas, such as education and employment. Including individuals with differing mobility together in the same program lead to opportunities for interdependence, teamwork, and peer support as participants used their individual capacities to help each other and work together.

Consultation was provided for any participants who wished to continue any of the sports or activities outside of the program.

Explore the twelve physical and recreational activities

Participant interviews

Four participants shared their experiences of the program. Each interview is available as a video and as a written transcript.

Participant interviews

Photo	Interview	Video	Transcript
	Interview 1	Watch on YouTube	Read the transcript (PDF)
	Interview 2	Watch on YouTube	Read the transcript (PDF)
	Interview 3	Watch on YouTube	Read the transcript (PDF)
	Interview 4	Watch on YouTube	Read the transcript (PDF)