Yulia Shepel
Bachelor of Kinesiology (Chemistry major)/Bachelor of Education (Secondary), 3rd Year
Course: KIN 472 (Winter 2021) with Instructor Jen Leo
Who was your community partner and can you describe the project objectives?
Having the opportunity to work with the Steadward Centre this past semester has allowed me to apply many aspects of my degree into scenarios that I may come across in my career. The objectives that allowed me to do this included exploring current global issues related to Adapted Physical Activity (APA), enhancing my knowledge of APA opportunities in the community, and getting the chance to work alongside amazing athletes who are involved in APA. Becoming aware of the current limitations of APA has allowed me to recognize the ways in which I can play an active role in bridging the gap between mainstream and adapted activities to work toward equality in sport.
What was your biggest takeaway from your CSL placement?
My greatest takeaway from this placement is that promoting open communication and creating meaningful relationships is so crucial for not only personal development but also for creating societal change. One particular activity during my placement was creating and teaching a lesson plan for an individual with a physical impairment. Being an able-bodied person, it was initially difficult to conceptualize a suitable workout and to know what preferences that particular participant had. However, by being vulnerable enough to ask questions about their exercise habits and their disability, we were able to connect on a personal level and come up with a program that worked. From this experience, I realized that being vulnerable and unafraid to put yourself into states of discomfort is vital to becoming a more knowledgeable and accepting member of society.
How can you apply any newly gained knowledge/skills to your future endeavours (courses/employment/volunteering)?
Throughout my CSL experience, I have not only immersed myself in the exciting field of Adapted Physical Activity, but I have gained various transferable skills that will allow me to flourish in any endeavours that lie ahead. At the beginning of my CSL placement, I had some hesitancy when engaging with members of the disability community because I feared making mistakes in saying the wrong thing. But the interactions that I had made me realize that this is such a silly fear! Making mistakes and placing myself in new contexts is exactly what is needed to encourage personal growth and learning. Wherever I end up in the future, I will have the courage to make myself accessible to feedback and to work with others to better myself and those around me.
What are some of the ways that COVID-19 has affected your community partner or your placement?
Although the shift of my placement from in-person to online wasn't ideal, there were various positive learning outcomes that I was able to gain that wouldn't have been possible in-person. Some exercise programs that shifted to online over the pandemic have found that being in a familiar environment and not having to worry about commuting is beneficial for many participants. In fact, most of the participants and guest speakers throughout my placement were in various locations around Canada, where the commute wouldn't be possible otherwise. Considering that online programming may continue after the pandemic, I’m grateful that I was able to use my creativity to design adaptable, at-home workout plans and to network with so many knowledgeable individuals across Canada.