About Valnesfjord Helsesportssenter

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Valnesfjord Helsesportssenter is an institution that works with people of all ages with disabilities. Norway has an amazing system of healthcare, things are very expensive here, lots of tax. However, going to the hospital for any reason, or any time of medical thing or rehabilitation is all free - you don't even need a health card. Norwegians think that the idea of "suing" other people is crazy. Seriously - they don't understand it. But the good news is that they think it's all an American thing.. as one girl said "the americans - aren't they the ones who walk around suing each other" I try to encourage this way of thinking. Anyways, this institution is free for people with disabilities - it would be prescribed by their physician and then they come here to stay.
The stays are varied for different age groups. Kids usually stay for about 2 weeks, and there are different focuses to the programs such as outdoor life, skiing, biking, swimming or horseback riding. Adults stay between 2 and 4 weeks usually. The people who come all come in a group so that it encourages a community feeling within the group. The groups have people of all ages, but they try to have at least 2 people around the same age in any given group. Groups are usually decided based on the disability. People coming to the centre all have physical disabilities, but some can also have mental disabilities as well. Anxiety and depression are common, especially with the children. Adapted Physical Activity is the main method of rehabilitation here, and they have a very positive way of thinking - focusing on what the person can do rather than focusing on what they can't do. Celebrating accomplishments is a very important part of working here, and also trying to encourage patients to try new things and new ways of moving. When patients leave, the people here will look into their own communities and make goals with the patients about what they can do after they leave around home, for example if they liked archery or rock climbing here at the centre, they might be able to join a club somewhere in their own community. Activities begin at 9am for the patients, and every program is geared toward the specific patient, therefore there is no given routine for a certain group, it depends on all of the individuals there. Activities go until 3:00, and then dinner is at 3:30 (they have dinner AND supper later on). In the evenings, there are community rooms with televisions for patients to socialize. EVERYONE here seems to knit. There is a billiard room with board games and a foozeball table. Also they sell wool here and needles for knitting or crocheting. There are no tvs in patient rooms because they encourage patients to mingle and go to the community rooms in the evenings.
VHSS is a multidisciplinary centre so there are many professionals that work here, and with each group. There are doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, teachers and hippotherapists (something I had never heard of - it's using horses for rehabilitation. Horses here are for horseback riding, or pulling sleds). Each group will have some professionals from all areas - the one I am working with has a teacher, physiotherapist, friluftslivpedagog - an outdoor life instructor - and they all have doctors. When children come to stay here sometimes there parents stay as well. In other cases, there is regular contact with the patient's "primary contact" between the staff here, doctors and the contact, so progress can be monitored and the patient can set goals both for the stay here and after they leave.
The Grounds
VHSS is situated right in the middle of a group of mountains. There are no towns within 30 minutes (I think) so it's very remote. There are cross country ski trails all around the centre that are groomed by machines. There are also lights on the tracks (something I didn't know last night when I was getting scared) because here in Valnesfjord they have 2 months in the winter without light (I can't imagine this) and then of course in the summer they also have 2 months where the sun doesn't set. There are snowshoes, cross country skiis, bikes, all kinds of adapted equipment that you can just borrow and use. There's a gym as well (endurance training room) that is available for use. They are located beside a national park as well so there's no shortage of nature hikes. Sometimes they go on overnight trips on skiis and go ice fishing or stay in igloos.
My Program
I am working with the Blue Group - a group of kids that are between ages 12 and 15. Most have Cerebral Palsy, but there are some with other disabilities as well such as Down's Syndrome. The program I am working on is mostly based around skiing. This will be interesting because my cross country skiing skills are sub par at best. We are going on a trip on Friday (I think) where we try to ice fish. Next week we will be making snow cubes (boxes of snow that you stomp on to make hard) and then on Wednesday everyone staying here will be making snow sculptures with them. Many days we will be outside for the entire day, eating lunch by a fire or making it outside. There are 3 other students in my group (from Norway though).. so hopefully I can make some friends - and maybe catch a ride to Bodø (nearest city) for weekends. I am getting less nervous and very excited for working with these kids, and this program. Every day looks like it's going to be very fun!
Ooh and I thought everyone should see my name tag (hospitant means "trainee") Nat I thought you would appreciate the name error... oh well, nothing that I'm not used to!

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Photos

VHSS in the Summer
Surrounded by the national park - this image is from the website

My nametag
Glenn :)

Comments

[Mickey Genn]

Glenn
haha. Boarders just don't matter with our name!