UTICA — Upstate Cerebral Palsy has been awarded funding from the Edwin J. Wadas Foundation that will help support the athletic and fitness programs for children within the agency. Upstate Cerebral Palsy provides fitness programs to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who receive services through the agency.
The funding will support personal training classes as well as ten weeks of group fitness classes in partnership with Carbone Athletics at the Fitness Mill’s new facility, 1707 Oriskany St. West. The Fitness Mill is one of the largest fitness centers that specializes in fitness for people with special needs, program officials said, adding that group classes will be for children with all ability levels to work on strength, endurance, balance, and coordination as well as a way to boost self-confidence.
“Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at greater risk for obesity and obesity related health conditions. A variety of factors contribute to this issue, including access to innovative exercise programs geared toward this population,” explained Upstate Cerebral Palsy Chief Psychologist, Dr. Erik Jacobson.
“With this funding we are able to hold these classes in a state-of-the-art facility that not only supports both the children’s physical and mental health. Group classes based on inclusion of all ability levels is a great way to build community and we are so grateful that we have been awarded this grant,”
“The Fitness Mill prides itself on being what we call the “inclusion solution” in central New York by promoting healthy habits in a safe and therapeutic environment for Individuals of all abilities,” said Special Needs Fitness Director, Eric DeCarlis. “We are thrilled to be working with Upstate Cerebral Palsy and to be able to bring multiple outlets of fitness and fun for not only people with I/DD but their families and friends.”
Group classes are open to current members and space is limited. Schedule listed on second page of the release.
All Abilities
Fitness Schedule
Mile-Stones (Running/Walking,
Monday 5 p.m. — All ages
Wednesday 5 p.m. — All ages
Fitness 4 All (Strength/
conditioning)
Wednesday
10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. — Day Fit;
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. — Ages 5-12;
7 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. — Age 13 and older;
Thursday
5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. — …….