November 10, 2020
Sports Association Newsletter

The Sports Association is dedicated to improving the lives of persons with physical disabilities through adaptive sports and recreation.

Dear Friends of the Sports Association, 

We are excited to announce the continuation of  sports programming provided by the Gaylord Sports Association!  As we transition back to sports, we will be adding activities based on precautions and the feasibility of running programs in accordance with Gaylord Specialty Healthcare and State of Connecticut guidelines.  In these unusual times, our number one priority is the health and safety of all participants, volunteers, and staff.  There is an outline of our new policies and procedures following the programs section of the newsletter. Thank you for your patience as we make this transition. 

Look below for upcoming programs in Yoga and Archery as well as news from the Sports Association. 


Feel free to contact the Sports Association at 203-284-2772 or visit our website at www.gaylord.org/sports for more information. We hope to see you soon!

-The Sports Association

News and Updates
Sled Hockey Team News
The Sports Association is excited to announce that Corey Podbielski and Trevor Doyon have joined the Sled Hockey Team as coaches for the 2020-2021 season.  Corey and Trevor have extensive hockey experience. They both have a connection with the Gaylord Sports Association through their involvement with our Gaylord Golf Classic Committee. Corey is a PT and works at Gaylord in the North Haven clinic and Trevor is an attorney in North Haven. We are looking forward to getting back on the ice with new coaches and new safety measures in place!  Interested in joining the sled hockey team?  Contact us to learn more!
New Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Website
The new Gaylord Specialty Healthcare website went live in October.  Check out the new design and enhanced Sports Association section located under the Community and Sports tab.  The enhanced page features a calendar with upcoming event listings. Click below to explore the new site.
New Sports Association Virtual Tour Video
During this time of COVID-19 and limited programming, the team at the Sports Association, has been hard at work developing plans and protocols to safely bring sports back for our participants and to give others a better look at what we have to offer.  One of the new projects that has been completed is the Sports Association Virtual Tour Video. Click below to watch and enjoy!
Hiking Without Boundaries
The Hiking Without Boundaries Project undertook their inaugural hike at Sleeping Giant State Park on October 23, 2020.   Adaptive athlete Claudio Cabrera, along with Quinnipiac University physical therapy student organizers Juliana Noce and Rachel Hopkins finished a 2-mile hike using the newly purchased GRIT Spartan Freedom Chair!  This all terrain chair has a unique lever drive that allows for easy pushing as well as applying brakes when going down hills.  We were thrilled to collaborate with Juliana and Rachel on their capstone project which they began early this year. The program will continue with the next group of students who plan to offer additional adaptive hiking outings.
Upcoming Programs
Seated Yoga Classes
We have started our Seated Yoga Class series which will be held monthly November through April.  Participants can choose to attend in-person or virtually via Zoom.  There will be a limit of 6 participants for the in-person class and masks will be required. Registered Yoga instructor, Tanya Sage, will guide participants through a 60-minute seated class consisting of breathing exercises, seated yoga poses, self-awareness and ending with a meditation. Benefits of yoga may include, improved flexibility, circulation, posture and strength. Seated yoga classes offer the opportunity for individuals of all ability levels to enjoy the benefits of yoga. 
Next Session:
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Location:
Gaylord Hospital
Roncari Hall
2nd Floor Jackson Pavilion
Or virtually via ZOOM
Times:
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost is Free!
Advanced Registration is required.  
Please call 203-284-2772 for more information and to register.
Adaptive Archery Clinics
We would like to invite you to join us for our second archery clinic of fall 2020. Pre-registration is required and COVID-19 protocols will be used for all attendees and staff. Masks will be required. Each archer will choose the session they would like to attend. There will be a limit of 4 archers per session. Archers will reserve a bow when registering. There is no cost for this program. For more information on our COVID-19 procedures or to register, please call the Sports Association at 203-284-2772.
Date: 
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Location:
Roncari Hall
Gaylord Hospital
Times:
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
or
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
 
Cost is Free!

Advanced Registration is required.
Please call 203-284-2772 for more information and to register.
Adaptive Archery Club
The Gaylord Sports Association Adaptive Archery Club is a dedicated group of archers who meet throughout the year for both indoor and outdoor practice at Gaylord Hospital. The club is for Sports Association members who have attended clinics or classes and who want more time to shoot with other experienced archers. This group works on advanced archery technique, participates in games, and individual and team scoring, and most of all has a bunch of fun! For information on eligibility, what is required, and how to apply for membership, please contact the Sports Association at sports@gaylord.org or 203-284-2772.   See you on the range!
COVID-19 Program Information and Protocols
The number one priority of the Gaylord Sports Association is the health and safety of all participants, staff, volunteers and visitors.  We have developed new policies and protocols to provide as safe a program as possible and minimize the risk of exposure.  We are also adding virtual program options when possible.  Please take a look at the information below and feel free to contact us if you have additional questions or concerns.
    Criteria for Participation
    • No signs or symptoms of COVID-19 in past 14 days.
    • Temperature screening must be under 100.4.
    • No travel to high risk areas within the past 14 days.
    • No sustained contact with anyone who is sick or suspected to have COVID-19 within 14 days of program.
    • If you have had a confirmed positive COVID-19 infection, a note from your doctor is required to participate.
    Infection Prevention Measures:
    • Group sizes will be limited to maintain social distancing.
    • Face masks that cover the nose and mouth are required for anyone in attendance at programs. 
    • Practice areas will be marked to maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet of space.
    • Participants will be asked to use hand sanitizer before, after and during prgrams as needed. 
    • No sharing of equipment.  Equipment used will be sanitized before and after use.
    • High touch surfaces, equipment and seating will be sanitized before and after programs.
    • At risk individuals are still encouraged to stay safe and stay home.
    • We will stay up to date with state and local safety regulations as well as recommendations by sport specific organizations.
    Registration Information:
    • Classes and clinics will be announced through emails and newsletters.
    • Liability waiver and media release will now be signed online.  
    • Both in-person and virtual participants will be asked to sign a liability waiver.
    • Annual member profile updates will be conducted over the phone when registering.
    • Pre-registration is required for for both in person and virtual classes.
    • Participants may register for the next upcoming class and clinics only. 
    • To register for a program, call the Sports Association at 203-284-2772 or email sports@gaylord.org.
    In-Person Class Details:
    • Each clinic or class with have a limited number of spaces available. 
    • All particpants will be asked screening questions upon registration.
    • COVID-19 protocols will be used for all attendees and staff. 
    • Masks will be required.
    • Temperature checks and screening questions will be conducted upon entrance to Gaylord or outside if the clinic is held on the South Lawn.

    Virtual Class Details:

    • Classes will be offered via the Zoom platform.
    • Participants will use a personal device from home to connect to the Zoom class
    • We enourage guests to attend, but everyone must register!
    About Our Program and Events

    The Gaylord Sports Association is a program of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare and is based out of Wallingford, CT. We are a chapter member of Move United. We serve adults ages 16 and up with physical disability or visual impairments and welcome new members to join us. For more information, please visit our webpage or call us at 203-284-2772.

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    PO Box 400, Wallingford, CT, 06492


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