Becoming and Staying Active

A very important part of independent living during a person's life is becoming and staying active.  First of all what do you find interesting?  Do you like to draw, play sports, use computers etc.? When I am not sick in bed I enjoy playing wheelchair sports.  Wheelchair football, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair racing, tennis and kayaking are just some of the adaptive sports I have enjoyed.  Ever since I was in middle school, I have tried to play something.  Starting in eighth grade I played wheelchair football.  It may sound rough but it wasn't bad.  Our team would get together and play against local groups who did not necessarily use wheelchairs, but they did during the game.  During the game I sure had fun watching people who were not used to being in wheelchairs try to play football in one.  I also did wheelchair racing in my late teens and early twenties with the New York State Games for the Physically Challenged.  At that time I joined the track team for my high school.  I wasn't able to actually compete in the school track meets l but by being on the team I was able to train with them for when I competed in the state games.  Today I still enjoy sports which include wheelchair basketball with a local team here in Washington State, playing tennis and Kayaking. 
Of course my activities weren't always sports.  In high school I was involved in the school musicals.
If you are not interested in or are unable to do sports, what about arts and crafts?  Are you interested in drawing or writing?  If you are then contact your local Community Center for possible classes.  I know this may seem strange but maybe you should try it even if you don't think you are very good at it.  In an earlier post I mentioned that I wrote a book.  I didn't start writing because I loved it or because I thought I was good.  I just started doing it one day because I was bored in bed.
I also like to either be on committees or just attend committee meetings. Every community is full of committees. I have been involved in different committees for years. Anything from simple support groups which only have a hand full of members, to committees that are run by the city. Even if you are unable to be on committees because health issues are so unpredictable, try going to the committee meetings when you can as part of the public. At least then you have a voice, and you know what is going on in your area.

Another activity I love doing and am a very big supporter of is volunteering.  Ever since I graduated from high school, I have been interested in some type of volunteering.  Anything from coordinating homeless outreach projects, to public speaking to teaching independent living skills to individuals with disabilities.  Even at times I am unable to work a paying job, this is one way I can contribute.  What about talking to people you know personally? Maybe they know someone who needs tutoring or just someone to hangout with and be a mentor after school while parents are working. If you don't like spending time with people then what about writing articles for newsletters? Those are a couple of volunteer activities you can do if you are in bed for some medical issue.So how do you find places to volunteer?  One place to start is your local Volunteer Center.  I know that the area I live in right now has a center.  But if you don't have one or can't find one in your area then try to find an agency that provides services you are interested in or who serves the population you would like to help.
So, What's in your area?  How did you find these activities?  What can you share on here that you think others would find helpful or interesting?