Therapeutic Programs
Therapeutic Programs
Ontario
Why Climbing for Rehabilitation?
Climbing is an engaging and fun sport that provides the body and mind novelty and challenge which promotes neuroplasticity, healing and growth. Climbing is a form of functional therapy with the following benefits (just to name a few):
Physical – Coordination, balance, strength, and endurance
Cognitive – Attention, memory, problem solving and self-awareness
Social/Spiritual – New relationships, connection and peer support
Emotional – Emotional regulation, self-esteem, and empowerment
Program Details
Each Program is tailored to meet the needs of participants. From beginning to end, each small group session grows from individual participants, staff and volunteers to a strong supportive community. Each program includes:
Try-it Sessions
Try adaptive climbing in a FREE group session!
We understand that your rehabilitation journey is incredibly important, and rock climbing may look very different from what you expect when you think about your recovery. We offer these free opportunities to try climbing with our staff to see if climbing is right for you before committing to a program
Try-it sessions are possible because of our amazing and generous sponsors; Innovative Case Management, Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers and Neurocore Physiotherapy and Pilates.
Our Facilitator/ Rehab Team
Laura Burnett
Ms. Laura Burnett is a Occupational Therapists, registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and a member of the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists. She completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto.
She has a clinical experience with assessment and treatment of individuals with physical, neurological, psychological, and cognitive impairments.
Laura was first introduced to climbing while living in Vancouver, BC, and has enjoyed it ever since. She is excited to help others experience the benefits of climbing through the Therapeutic Climbing Program in Ontario!
Laya Polowin
Ms. Laya Polowin is a Occupational Therapists, registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and a member of the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists. She completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto.
She has a clinical experience with assessment and treatment of individuals with physical, neurological, psychological, and cognitive impairments.
Laya first started climbing while pursuing her undergrad in Kingston, ON, and has been enthusiastic about climbing ever since. She has seen first hand the amazing accomplishments of the CACS participants and it inspires her every day.
Laya Polowin
Ms. Laya Polowin is a Occupational Therapists, registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and a member of the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists. She completed her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto.
She has a clinical experience with assessment and treatment of individuals with physical, neurological, psychological, and cognitive impairments.
Laya first started climbing while pursuing her undergrad in Kingston, ON, and has been enthusiastic about climbing ever since. She has seen first hand the amazing accomplishments of the CACS participants and it inspires her every day.
JAISA SULIT
Jaisa Sulit is a best-selling author, speaker, self-care coach and occupational therapist who worked for 6 years in neuro-rehab until she sustained a spinal cord injury herself in 2010. After experiencing the benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion for her own recovery Jaisa went on to complete training in the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Mindful Self-Compassion courses and has been teaching these tools to patients and professionals across Canada.
Curious to explore the benefits of direct engagement in nature Jaisa moved to Vancouver in 2015 and while there, she discovered CACS and the therapeutic potential climbing has for those on the journey of rehabilitation. Seeing how climbing can be an engaging way for people to learn mindfulness, Jaisa became an ambassador for CACS and in 2017 she helped to develop CACS’ first therapeutic climbing program in Ontario.
Jaisa now lives and climbs in Toronto with her husband and current belay-partner TJ and son and future belay-partner Jasper.
Program Sponsors
We have amazing sponsors. From the initial conception of this therapeutic program, our sponsors have supported us both financially and, more importantly, as mentors. Financially, our sponsors make our “try-it” sessions free, allowing participants to sample this intimidating sport without committing valuable insurance money. As mentors, our sponsors have helped guide us through running a therapeutic practise; not a simple task for a director that specializes in the climbing side.
A HUGE thank you goes to Innovative Case Management, Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers and Neurocore Physiotherapy and Pilates.
Thanks also to Jaisa, Laura and Laya; our rehab team. Without their generosity and dedication this program would not be possible.
Upcoming Events & Research
Events
Due to Covid-19 we have had to cancel all scheduled events. We will resume programs once we are confident that we can safely do so. Please see here, our social media, or ask to be put on our e-mail list by e-mailing our team at [email protected] to keep up-to-date on our programs.
Research
Growing evidence supports climbing as a therapeutic tool.
See a few examples below of some of the most current research in the field.