Newsroom Hospital for Special Surgery

Hospital program helps kids go from being patients to being surfers

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 15:39:00 -0400

Newsday reports The Adaptive Sports Academy at HSS Lerner Children’s Pavilion and Surf For All, a Long-Beach-based non-for-profit, hosted a surfing trip on August 12, 2019 for pediatric patients with special needs. Nearly a dozen children received lessons on how to ride the board and how to stand in the water.

Newsday spoke to Bridget A. Assip PT, DPT, PCS, physical therapist at HSS, about the experience, who said, “The water for them is a playground, they have limitless abilities in the water,” Hospital for Special Surgery physical therapist Bridget Assip said. “They can do something that on the land might be more difficult, but in the water they can do things that they weren’t able to before.”

Read the full article at Newsday.com. This article also appeared in the August 13, 2019 print edition.

Additional coverage: Segments on News 12 Long Island and News 12 Westchester aired during the evening and morning news hours on August 12-13, 2019.

HSS Makes Big Splash With Adaptive Surfing For Patients

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 07:00:00 -0400

Orthopedics This Week reported that the Adaptive Sports Academy at the HSS Lerner Children's Pavilion hosted a surfing trip for young patients with cerebral palsy and other conditions.

HSS physical therapist Bridget A. Assip PT, DPT, PCS, who was on-site during the event, said surfing benefits the children because they feel free in the water.

"It went great, I loved it. I caught a lot of waves," said HSS patient six-year-old Brooklyn McDonald.

Read the full article at ryortho.com [subscription required].

NYC hospital takes patients surfing in Long Beach

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 07:00:00 -0400

Long Beach Herald reported that the Adaptive Sports Academy at the HSS Lerner Children's Pavilion recently hosted a surfing trip for young patients with physical disabilities.

According to the article, the trip aimed to build self-confidence, encourage independence and increase physical activity.

HSS physical therapist Bridget A. Assip PT, DPT, PCS, who was on-site during the event, said surfing benefits the patients because they feel free in the water. "They can do things that they may have a harder time doing on land. The families and kids had a great day at the beach and so much fun in the water," she added.

Read the full article at liherald.com. This also appeared in the August 23, 2018 print issue.

Special Needs Surfers: 'Riding Those Waves Makes Me Feel Free'

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 07:00:00 -0400

CBS New York reported that the Adaptive Sports Academy at HSS hosted a surfing trip for pediatric patients with physical disabilities in Long Beach, Long Island.

HSS physical therapist Bridget A. Assip PT, DPT, PCS, who was on-site during the event, explained the medical benefits of adaptive surfing.

"It helps them with balance, it helps them with body awareness, and I think most importantly it helps them with self-esteem and confidence," said Assip.

22-year-old patient Sadsidorela Lleeshi shared that the experience was "calm and riding those waves makes me feel free".

"It was really fun because I got to stand up on the surf board three times, which is a new record," said nine-year-old Maya Vega.

Watch the full segment at newyork.cbslocal.com. This also aired during the August 22, 2018 broadcast.

Additional Coverage:

WLNY: August 26, 2018 broadcast

Fox 5 New York: August 15, 2018

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 07:00:00 -0400

In a Fox 5 New York segment, the Adaptive Sports Academy at HSS hosted an adaptive surfing day in Long Beach, Long Island for pediatric patients.

Patients and parents alike enjoyed the change of environment from their day-to-day physical therapy.

"She feels more than free, in her words like the other boys and girls," said mother Andrea McDonald about her 6-year-old daughter Brooklyn who has cerebral palsy.

Bridget A. Assip PT, DPT, PCS, physical therapist at HSS who was on-site during the event, said "today it's honestly all about them. It's so amazing to see their smiles, their motivation, to see them just excited to do something that's completely different for them."

"When I'm in the water my body can do anything," said patient Sadsidorela Lleeshi.

This segment aired during the August 15, 2018 broadcast.

Surfing lessons for disabled kids, teens

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 07:00:00 -0400

Newsday reported that the Adaptive Sports Academy at HSS hosted an adaptive surfing day in Long Beach, Long Island for pediatric patients with physical disabilities.

HSS physical therapist Bridget A. Assip PT, DPT, PCS, who was on-site during the event, said "I'm just loving seeing the kids so happy and so excited to be in such a different environment…. It really just builds their confidence, builds self-esteem and it really allows them to move their bodies in a different way and experience the water and sand."

Read the full article at newsday.com [subscription required]. This also appeared in the August 16, 2018 print issue.

Fios 1 News Long Island: August 15, 2018

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 07:00:00 -0400

Fios 1 News Long Island features the recent adaptive surfing day in Long Beach, Long Island for pediatric patients with physical disabilities hosted by the Adaptive Sports Academy at HSS.

Bridget A. Assip PT, DPT, PCS, physical therapist at HSS, who was on-site during the event, said that the opportunity to surf gives patients "freedom to be out in the water, move in different ways that they probably never thought that they could, and honestly get to have such a great time".

22-year-old patient Sadsidorela Lleeshi enjoyed surfing for the first time at last year's outing. "Since I did it before I'm not scared, so it's just fun," she said.

This segment aired during the August 15, 2018 broadcast.

Disabled Children Discover Joy In Skiing

Mon, 19 Feb 2018 07:00:00 -0500

CBS New York highlighted an adaptive skiing day at Windham Mountain Resort for patients with cerebral palsy, hosted by the Adaptive Sports Academy. Although cerebral palsy typically affects muscle coordination, the children were able to ski with the help of doctors, physical therapists and trained instructors.

HSS occupational therapist Lorene C. Janowski DPS, OTR/L, MS, C/NDT said "a lot of the skills that we teach [patients] in the rehab setting, we can translate onto the slopes." This includes weight shifting, being comfortable with your body, problem-solving and motor planning how to ski down the mountain.

One mother spoke about the importance of teaching her daughter to be as independent as possible and to try new activities.

"It really allows the kids to get out and be free and experience their environment, let their body move in a different direction, and let them kind really feel what their body can do and challenge themselves," said HSS physical therapist Bridget A. Assip PT, DPT, PCS.

Two sisters shared their thoughts on the ski trip, and exclaimed "I like it! 100 percent!"

Watch this segment at newyork.cbslocal.com. This aired during the February 19, 2018 broadcast.