Exploring the leisure experiences of young people with spinal cord injury or disease.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the perceptions of young people with a spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) about their leisure participation at school, home and in the community.


METHODS
The study used narrative enquiry to elicit the unique leisure stories of three participants aged 8-11 years with a SCI/D during two face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Pictorial data about participants' interpersonal relationships were also gathered using a 'social atom' tool.


RESULTS
Thematic analysis of participants' narratives produced three themes. 'Inside school leisure' and 'outside school leisure' detailed participants' lived experiences of leisure. 'A can-do approach to leisure' drew attention to the optimistic attitudes held by the participants and their active engagement in leisure despite their SCI/D.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians, families and educators should explore the leisure preferences of young people with a SCI/D and support their participation in activities, which offer enjoyment, friendship and a sense of achievement.
Department of Occupational Therapy, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
Kimberley
K
Hynes
Jane
J
Galvin
Linsey
L
Howie
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology*