Celebrating Move Your Way® Day with Brian’s House
April 18th is Move Your Way® Day in Pennsylvania!
ODP has partnered with the US Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion to encourage you to Move Your Way! Saturday, April 18th is Move Your Way® Day in Pennsylvania! Governor Josh Shapiro issued an official proclamation to spread awareness of the physical activity campaign promoted by the US Department of Health.
In the proclamation, Governor Shapiro recognizes the health disparities faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism.
“Survey data of individuals who receive service through the Office of Developmental Programs show that 40 percent of respondents report that they never go out to exercise,” the proclamation reads.
“To improve the health outcomes of individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism, direct support professionals, family caregivers, local community organizations, and state agencies can support individuals to safely engage in physical activity by providing tips, resources, and encouragement.”
The proclamation continues, “the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has partnered with Move Your Way and Special Olympics Pennsylvania to further encourage individuals to get healthy amounts of physical activity.”
The Department of Human Services encourages you celebrate Move Your Way Day this weekend by moving however you see fit to stay fit. Gardening, dancing, walking, stretching; Anything that elevates your heart rate counts! See the full movement guidelines issued by the US Department of Health at the bottom of this page.
To further encourage individuals and support professionals to get moving at least 150 minutes a week, ODP is highlighting stories of movement to move the needle!
Move Your Way® with Brian’s House
ODP visited Brian’s House, a Chester County based provider agency, to check out their movement programs. Individuals at Brian’s House participate in wellness dances where they gather at a venue to move to the beat.
“We also have have healthy snacks and drinks for them” representatives of the House told us, “And we talk about other ways they can get exercise by moving their own way at home and in the community!”
Eric H. and Corey M. cut a rug at
a Brian’s House wellness dance
They also have plans to expand movement program offerings with activities like wellness walks, movement video games like Wii Fit and Just Dance, and inviting an Elvis Presley tribute artist to come show participants how to shake, rattle, and roll.
Alexis J. puts on her dancing shoes
to get moving to her favorite tunes.
What is Move Your Way?
Move Your Way is the physical activity campaign based on The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. It offers tools and resources for individuals and professionals to learn about the Physical Activity Guidelines, share its key messages and encourage individuals to become more active. Recognizing the health disparities and co-existing medical conditions experienced by many individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and autism, ODP is promoting Move Your Way in cooperation with the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Becoming more physically active can help lead to happier, healthier lives. Please share widely!
How can you Move Your Way?
Anything that gets your heart beating faster counts. And it all adds up.
Find what works for you! Walking, dancing, gardening, swimming, and stretching are just a few suggestions for weekly movement.
Adults need a mix of physical activity to stay healthy. Moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 150 minutes a week, and muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 days a week. Do activities that make your muscles work harder than usual.
