My name is Steven Schultz, and I’m the state director for advocacy and access at the Arthritis Foundation. Last fall, I had the great pleasure of joining Rep. Ami Bera, who represents the Sacramento area in Congress, for a Walk With Ease session.
Walk With Ease teaches participants how to safely make physical activity part of their everyday life. Studies by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging at the University of North Carolina show thatWalk With Easeis proven to reduce the pain and discomfort of arthritis; increase balance, strength and walking pace; build confidence in your ability to be physically active; and improve overall health.
该项目在科尔多瓦休闲公园区举行，共有10-20名参与者，为期六周。这个环节从小组协调员带领我们进行一系列的伸展开始。这一令人紧张的会议为与会者提供了一个绝佳的机会，向贝拉询问他对各种不同主题的看法。国会议员和小组成员聊了聊积极的重要性，以及参加轻松行走是多么容易。
“I was pleased to join many participants for the Walk With Ease program at Neil Orchard Senior Activities Center,” said Rep. Bera. “As a doctor, I know that daily exercise is beneficial in many ways, including helping reduce pain from arthritis. I encourage everyone to get out and stay active in your neighborhood or in connection with a program like Walk With Ease.”
其中一位参与者告诉我，她非常喜欢这个项目，因为她在步行后感觉好多了。此外，她说她喜欢在小组环境中做这个项目，因为参与者要对彼此负责。They want to attend the sessions to see their friends, while also knowing that if they don’t show up, they will hear about it from the group.
“The best part of the Walk With Ease program is getting to see the results,” said Heather Schelske, recreation supervisor II at the Cordova Recreation & Park District. “Many participants struggled with walking a quarter of a mile when we first started. Now, after a few months, many are up to walking a mile or more. This program works and it’s exciting to see the progress.”
Following the stretching routine, the group departed on the walk around the park as participants took turns chatting with the congressman. Several of them did another lap around the park when they were finished while others went on their way to their next daily activity. With smiles on their faces, there was no doubt the group was better off for starting their day with this activity.
This particular Walk With Ease group received funding for the program from the National Recreation and Park Association. The funding was made possible due to a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Arthritis Program. During my years with the Arthritis Foundation, I have seen Advocates attend meetings with their members of Congress in support of the CDC Arthritis Program. It was fantastic to see the benefits of that advocacy directly in my community. In addition, it was good to know there are so many active groups like this throughout the country due to the Walk With Ease program.
散步结束后，我与贝拉议员和他的工作人员谈论了这个项目的好处。我告诉他这个项目很棒，因为它不需要通过一个像这样的公园区域来组织——任何人都可以参加!有些公司已经接受了“轻松行走”，并一起做这件事。也有互相配合的朋友来参加这个项目。即使有人想独自参加这个项目，也有自我指导的课程。So check out Walk With Ease today!