Miracle League Opening Day is April 17
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 13, 2010) – Opening day for the Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League of Lexington will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 17, at Shillito Park in Lexington.
Dr. Thomas W. Miller, professor emeritus, Department of Psychiatry, along with pediatric and psychiatry residents in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, have been 'buddies' for children participating in the Miracle League.
This year, Miller and the residents published a chapter in the Handbook of Sports Psychology on the therapeutic value of sports for children with disabilities. The residents are on staff at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The focus of the work is to provide health care professionals with models that may be beneficial in the care and treatment of children with a spectrum of disabilities.
Miller says the opportunity for sports participation among individuals with disabilities has grown dramatically in recent decades. A thorough understanding of the issues involved as well as how to address concerns is paramount for anyone who works with disabled individuals. Nationally, rates of obesity in the general population are increasing, and the disabled tend to have lower levels of fitness and higher rates of obesity than their nondisabled peers.
"There is a growing body of literature demonstrating improved outcomes in multiple health measures with fitness programs and sports participation," said Miller. "In addition, sports participation helps develop a healthy self-concept, builds confidence, and improves overall quality of life. Sports also provide children with special needs with valuable social interactions, both with other disabled individuals, as well as their nondisabled peers."
For more information about the therapeutic value of sports for children with disabilities, contact Miller at tjmiller06@insightbb.com or (859) 224-8563.
To obtain the Handbook of Sports Psychology, go to https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11249.