Because leisure activities are often viewed as optional, their value to people with disabilities may not be recognized. This study explored the benefits of leisure activities for eight young people who are blind. These activities provided them with supportive relationships, a desirable identity, experiences of power and control, and experiences of social justice. They enabled the young people we studied to thrive despite adversity.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ArnettJ. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from late teens through twenties. American Psychologist, 55, 469–480.
2.
BundyA., & ClemsonL. (2009). Leisure. In BonderB., & WagnerM. (Eds.), Functional performance in older adults (3rd ed., pp. 290–310). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.
3.
CavetJ. (1998). Leisure and friendship. In RobinsonC., & StalkerK. (Eds.), Growing up with disability (pp. 97–110). London: J. Kingsley.
4.
ChaseS. E. (2005). Narrative inquiry: Multiple lenses, approaches, voices. In DenzinN., & LincolnY. (Eds.), The Sage handbook of qualitative research (3rd ed., pp. 651–679). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
5.
CoatsworthJ. D., SharpE. H., PalenL., DarlingN., CumsilleP., & MartaE. (2005). Exploring adolescent self-defining leisure activities and identity experiences across three countries. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 29, 361–370.
6.
CrottyM. (1998). The foundations of social research.Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
7.
EcclesJ., BarberB., StoneM., & HuntJ. (2003). Extracurricular activities and adolescent development. Journal of Social Issues, 59, 865–889.
8.
EmdenC. (1998). Conducting a narrative analysis. Collegian, 5(3), 34–39.
GarlandK. M. (2005). A phenomenological investigation of resiliency in triathletes. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas.
11.
GilliganR. (2000). Adversity, resilience and young people: The protective value of positive school and spare time experiences. Children and Society, 14, 37–37.
12.
HoleR. (2004). Narratives of identity: A poststructural analysis of three deaf women's life stories. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
13.
IwasakiY., & BartlettJ. (2006). Culturally meaningful leisure as a way of coping with stress among Aboriginal individuals with diabetes. Journal of Leisure Research, 38, 321–338.
14.
KroksmarkU., & NordellK. (2001). Adolescence: The age of opportunities and obstacles for students with low vision in Sweden. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 95, 213–225.
15.
LutharS., CicchettiD., & BeckerB. (2000). The construct of resilience: A critical evaluation and guidelines for future work. Child Development, 71, 543–562.
16.
MeyerE. (1981). The blind and social deprivation. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 4, 353–364.
17.
MoghadamM. A. (2006). Predictors of resilient successful life outcomes in persons with disabilities: Towards a model of personal resilience. Unpublished Ed.D. thesis, George Washington University, Washington, DC.
18.
NeillJ., & DiasK. (2001). Adventure education and resilience: The double-edged sword. Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 1(2), 35–42.
19.
PonchillaP., ArmbrusterJ., & WieboldJ. (2005). The National Sports Education Camps Project: Introducing sports skills to students with visual impairments through short-term specialized instruction. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 99, 685–695.
20.
RosenblumL. P. (2000). Perceptions of the impact of visual impairment on the lives of adolescents. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 94, 434–445.
21.
UngarM. (2004). A constructionist discourse on resilience. Youth and Society, 35, 341–365.
22.
UngarM., BrownM., LiebenbergL., CheungM., & LevineK. (2008). Distinguishing differences in pathways to resilience among Canadian youth. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 27(1), 1–12.
23.
WernerE., & SmithR. (2001). Journeys from childhood to midlife: Risk, resilience, and recovery.Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
24.
WolffeK., & SacksS. (1997). The lifestyles of blind, low vision, and sighted youths: A quantitative comparison. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 91, 245–257.
