If you are one of the 39% of Americans who own a dog or the 33% who own a cat (or like one member of BlazeSports staff, owns two  rabbits!), you will likely agree that your furry friend is more than just a pet.  Whether you say this because you own a service animal (which in fact is a specially trained working animal and not a pet at all), or simply because your non-human additions to the house seem to have earned honored family member status – we at BlazeSports understand what your animals mean to you. As we mark National Pet Month, BlazeSports celebrates all that our four legged friends do on our behalf. So whether your animal is a working dog or other service animal, or simply a loving companion, an exercise pal, and a playmate for your children, we invite you to join us in recognizing the contributions that animals make to our lives. BlazeSports also encourages the public to use this month to learn more about Service Animals (both dogs and miniature horses) and the new ADA regulations (released in 2011) governing the use of Service Animals by visiting a fact sheet on the topic at: http://www.blazesports.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Service-Animals-Fact-Sheet1.pdf

National Women’s Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women’s health. The theme for 2012 is “It’s Your Time”. National Women’s Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. It also encourages women to take steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases. Click here to read more.

In honor of Mother’s Day this Sunday, and National Women’s Health Week, BlazeSports encourages all women to make themselves and their own health a priority. If you are one of the 27 million women in the United States with a disability (CDC), or the mother of an individual with a disability, it is especially important that you take a few moments to nurture your own mind, body and soul. Looking for suggestions on how to capitalize on “your time,” check out the many resources on the web, such as:

http://www.disaboom.com/children-with-disabilities/self-care-why-parents-of-children-with-disabilities-must-nurture-themselves 　　

From all of us at BlazeSports, we would like to wish all the mothers a very happy Mother’s Day!

USA Paralympic Soccer 2012 Team

The draw for the London 2012 Paralympic Games 7-a-side Football (Soccer) Competition took place on May 3^rd at 8 pm during a pre-paralympic Games tournament in the Yevpretoria city in the Ukraine. The draw was made by Tom Langen who is the CPISRA Football Committee Chairman and representatives from the Ukrainian NPC along with players and officials from
the participating countries. Click Here For The Competition Schedule.

Our hats off to US Paralympics and the Department of Veteran Affairs for hosting an informative Paralympic Leadership Conference this year. BlazeSports is proud to play a role in the growth and development of the Paralympic movement and the next generation of leaders in the United States. Harry Chapin sang a song “All My Life’s a Circle” and the Paralympic movement is experiencing just that. As we prepare to compete in the 2012 London Paralympic Games, the world will return to the birthplace of the Paralympic movement.

BlazeSports would like to congratulate the six winners of the Paralympic Leadership awards for their ongoing commitment to the development and promotion of Paralympic sports in the United States. (http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2012/April/30/US-Olympic-Committee-honors-Paralympic-leaders-with-2012-Amazing-Awards.aspx). A special note of congratulations goes out to our friends at Bridge II Sports for winning the Amazing Sports Club Award.
BlazeSports would also like to extend our appreciation to our new friends at BP Oil and congratulate them on an exciting new Olympic and Paralympic initiative: http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=2012968&contentId=7059696
For those unable to attend, US Paralympics will be posting all the presentations, including the one offered by BlazeSports staff on Long Term Athlete Development, on their website in the next week or so. http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics.aspx

As April comes to a close today, and with it Minority Health Month, BlazeSports reiterates our commitment to working year-round to address health disparities for all Americans. National Minority Health month, designated by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, is intended to raise awareness about health disparities and encourage
action – specifically preventative measures – to reduce them. “As people with disabilities and people of racial/ethnic minority status face health and healthcare disparities that put them at disadvantage in their quality of life compared to their counterparts, the health and wellness of these populations are public policy concerns that warrant increased attention and action.” (ACHM
Report July 2011).

In recent years, reports including the National Council on Disability’s The Current State of Health Care for People with disabilities, have made progress in raising awareness  about the health disparities experienced by persons with disabilities – such as people with disabilities reporting poorer health, the use of health care at a significantly higher rate than do people without disabilities, the higher prevalence of secondary conditions (e.g., obesity) and  the use preventive services at a lower rate than do persons without disabilities. Yet while health care practitioners have become more knowledgeable about disabilities generally,  many Americans remain misinformed about the impact of disability on specific populations – despite African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos typically experience disability at a higher rate than do Whites/Caucasians.

Last summer (July 2011), the HHS Advisory Committee on Minority Health (ACHM) released a report of recommendations entitled Assuring Health Equity for Minority Persons with Disabilities. The report indicates that  “while there is a substantial need for increased public awareness about disabilities in general, there is a specific need for data regarding health disparities among minorities with disabilities. It is particularly important to raise awareness about the burden of disability and race/ethnicity vis- à-vis health disparities and inequities. Aside from the public health issues that most racial/ethnic minorities face, minorities with disabilities experience additional disparities in health, prejudice, discrimination, economic barriers, and difficulties accessing care as a result of their disability—in effect, they face a “double burden.”

BlazeSports is proud to be working with the Department of Health and Human Services to promote and encourage physical activity and preventative measures for all Americans – including individuals with disabilities. As part of these efforts, BlazeSports supports the recommendations of the ACHM:

1. Raise awareness about minorities with disabilities.
2. Recognize disability as a fundamental component of cultural competency.
3. Require competency for all health care providers and professionals.
4. Improve research and practice on disabilities in minority populations.
5. Strengthen the health care workforce to ensure high quality care for people with
   disabilities.

For more on Minority Health Month, visit: http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/splash_page.aspx
To read the full ACMH report, visit:  A Recommendation Report from the HHS Advisory Committee on Minority Health (ACMH): Assuring Health Equity for Persons with Disability. http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/Assets/pdf/Checked/1/ACMHHealthDisparitiesReport.pdf

If you were inspired by Earth Day this past Sunday and want another reason to enjoy the treasures of our great outdoor spaces, what better excuse than National Parks Week! This April 21 – 29 has been designated as National Park Week –– a chance to hike, learn, share, and give back in the nation’s 397 national parks. Here’s a remarkable opportunity to explore just some of the 84 million acres of the world’s most spectacular scenery, historic landmarks and cultural treasures. And it get’s better, admission is FREE all week long! If you would like more information on how the National Parks Service has worked to make our parks accessible and inclusive, please visit the NPS accessibility page at: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/indes.htmHappy Exploring!

More on National Parks Week from our Friends with Let’s Move