Sports
Research examining the influence of physical activity, exercise and sports participation on individuals with disabilities shows that any sporting activity –
- Increases muscle strength and flexibility
- Improves exercise endurance and cardiovascular efficiency
- Enhances balance, motor development and motor skills
- Supports self-concept and body awareness
- Helps develop sportsmanship
- Develops social skills and self-esteem
In spite of these benefits, children with physical disabilities are less likely to engage in sports activities than their able-bodied peers. Children with disabilities often have limited access to recreational activities, sports participation, knowledgeable coaches or adapted fitness leaders.Children with disabilities such as down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida and spinal cord injury, are at an increased risk for developing:
- Obesity
- Poor cardiopulmonary endurance
- Muscle atrophy
- Joint contractures
Paralympics for children with physical disabilities, is an activity that is encouraged at the school. Not only do the children participate in the school sports, but they are also sent for the Paralympics with the children of other schools. Cricket is another sport that is played by the older students of the school.
Annual Day
At the end of the year the school celebrates its Annual Day in Mumbai in which there is enthusiastic participation by the students of its three day-schools in Mumbai as well as its residential school in Kanhe Phata.
Preparations for the items to be presented start more than a month in advance. Each school vies with the other to present the best item. There are songs, dances and plays enacted with gay abandon, with or without their mobility equipments. Items are also presented by the school teachers and parents of the students.
Teachers and students are awarded for their good performance at the school during the year.
Swimming Competition
Swimming forms a very important part of the curriculum of the school. The students are given swimming lessons by professional coaches. This training is used as a form of therapy and also to prepare the students for swimming competition held every year by the SEC.
The annual swimming gala is a day that the students look forward to very enthusiastically. It is amazing to see the children with limp limbs, coming to the pool in their wheel-chairs, but the minute they are in waters, they move their limbs back and forth with gay abandon and join the merriment in the pool with a competitive spirit.
Some children who struggle a little more than the others are applauded and cheered as they make an all-out effort to finish their lap. The competition also includes games with balloons and balls in the pool, as also a relay that is competed school-wise. A trophy is presented to the best swimmer every year.
Camps
Each year higher class students of all the 3 units are taken for a 3 day camp to Aksa village. This is an event which every student look forward to, as they get 3 day to spend with their school friends away from their regular life. Through this camps student who until know was living in the protected environment.
Mumbai Marathon
The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, abbreviated as SCMM, is an annual international marathon held in Mumbai, India, on the third Sunday of January every year. It is the largest marathon in Asia as well as the largest mass participation sporting event on the continent. There are five categories which cater to different participants. Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.097 km), Dream Run (6 km), Senior Citizens Event (4.3 km), Champions with Disability Event (2.4 km), For NGOs, the event has become a chance to raise awareness about their cause and generate funds.Each year our Regular & Ex-Students participate in the category of Champions with Disability Event.
RUN FOR CHARITY
World over marathons have been gaining immense importance as fund raising platforms, and the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon is no exception. The SCMM, presents an ideal opportunity and platform to bring together the development sector and those who want to support it. We believe that the Mumbai Marathon is a time when we can connect to a maximum number of individuals and pledge them to support SEC. This is a major source of funding for the important activities we undertake throughout the year. We look forward for your support in this endeavour.
For details kindly contact Ms. Manju Utamchandani,
E-mail : manju@sec-india.org
Telephone: 23090887