Singing as Recreation Activity Paired with ALS Disability (Research Paper Sample)

Your Name Instructor Name Course Number Date Singing as Recreation Activity Paired with ALS Disability This paper explores the pairing of singing as a recreational activity and ALS as a disability. It explains the adaptations required for persons with ALS to participate in singing activities. Recreational activities are an important part of everyone’s life but more specifically for those with a certain form of disability. Disability limits a person to perform his normal activities due to the loss of any anatomical structure of the body. These activities help to increase the physical growth, social interaction, and personal growth of a person. The purpose of this paper is to find the impact of singing on a person with ALS and the challenges that can be faced by the patient. ALS is a neurodegenerative disorder that interferes with normal physiological functions of the body which include breathing, eating and speaking, etc. Hence it has a great impact on quality of life. The decision to select this paring was based on the fact that people with the disability of ALS faced challenges when taking part in recreational activities. It also selected to find evidence-based interventions that improve the enjoyment and participation of ALS patients in recreational activities. By examining the intersection of these two topics, this paper examines the importance of programming recreational activities according to the needs and abilities of people with ALS and other disabilities. Hence, it improves the quality of life and enhances the self-importance of the patient. ALS “Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis” is a disorder of the body which involves the brain and muscles. Hence it affects the nerves that control the movement of the muscles and ultimately leads to weakness and paralysis of the muscles. So, this disability may interfere with activities like singing as it requires the movement of muscular vocal cords. However, there are different ways in which persons with ALS can enjoy singing. These methods include using devices and taking part in group singing activities and virtual singing programs. Overview of Singing as a Recreational Activity Singing is a form of recreational activity by produces musical sounds using the human voice. It is considered a most popular form of recreational activity. It was also present in ancient civilizations and evolved with new genres and styles. In the 16th century, opera was introduced, in the 19th century choral music was introduced, and in the 20th popular music. In this century different forms of music were introduced and it was easily accessible to the general population. Hence it can be performed as a recreational activity for all people with any background. There are many forms of it as it can be performed solo or in a group performance. Some people like to sing songs while playing their favorite songs at home and during travel. There are also some singing platforms where people can showcase their talent and excel in the field of music. It is proven as a fun activity that helps people to express their emotions and interact with other people. So, it helps improve personal and physical growth which is an important component of the complete well-being of a person. It can be used as a therapeutic agent to relieve stress, and anxiety and enhance mental functioning capability CITATION Kre05 \l 1033 (Kreutz, Bongard and Rohrmann). Hence, it is enjoyed by different cultures and civilizations and can be used as a recreational activity by a disabled person. Music therapy is considered an evidence-based application to improve the different aspects of health in human beings. In conclusion, singing has a lot of benefits for human health physically and psychologically, and evolved over some time according to need and nature of requirement. Overview of Disability “ALS” “ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that damages the nerves which ultimately leads to weakness and paralysis of muscles. The exact cause of the disease is still unknown; however, it can be described based on genetic and environmental factors” CITATION Bro17 \l 1033 (Brown and Ammar Al-Chalabi). Paralysis of different muscles can lead to weakness and difficulty in breathing that can cause the death of a person because respiration is most important for life. It was first identified in 1869 by Martin Charcot. There is no exact treatment for the cause but there are certain techniques used to alleviate the symptoms. Management of the disease involves multiple segments of health care which include neurology, physiotherapy, and pathology. It has a significant impact on the life of the person diagnosed with the disease. It can interfere with the normal functioning of the body, it limits the speaking, swallowing, and breathing of a person. It also has an impact on finances because it requires some devices to manage this costly disease. Overall, it has an impact on the life of a diagnosed person and also his family. The main cause of death in the disease is the failure of respiration, decreased intake of food due to decreased swallowing, and dehydration. One of the drugs used in the disease is riluzole which decreases the level of glutamate in the CNS which ultimately decreases the progression of the disease. Another important method of its treatment is physical therapy which is a comprehensive field in the treatment of diseases involving nerves and muscles. It helps to improve the functions of muscles and improves mobility. One of the main treatments is speech therapy which helps to improve the communication skills of a disabled person and singing is also a kind of speech therapy with a recreational touch. Research is also being conducted to find the exact treatment of the disease including stem cell therapy CITATION Sil03 \l 1033 (Silani and Leigh). Which states that stem cells can differentiate into all kinds of cells and can be transformed into nerve cells that get damaged due to disease. However, there is more research required to prove it is a successful option for the treatment. Recreation activity "Singing" and disability/impairment" ALS" A person suffering from ALS may experience a problem with breathing and speaking. Hence different levels of adaption are required to prevent these problems. Several adaptations include Assistive devices which amplify the sound, modify the pitch of the music to adapt according to vocals, proper sitting, and allow breaks that give rest to the voice. ADHA “Assistive Devices and Home Adaptation” is an important component of adaptation for the patient with ALS. It helps to maintain their independence and reduce the level of care that would be given to the patient. Assistive devices are meant to maximize the lost function of the body to improve the quality of life. These assistive devices include eye tracking devices, voice recognition devices, and single switch access which work on different principles and compensate for the lost functions. The inclusion of persons with ALS in singing activities is important to promote their socialization, enjoyment, and engagement in activities to avoid stress and anxiety due to their disease. It can be promoted by providing an encouraging and friendly environment. When people with reduced muscle activity are encouraged to be involved in singing activities, it will help to improve their self-confidence. Singing requires no excessive physical activity and, hence will have fewer tiring effects on weak muscles. Singing gives a sense of joy and pleasure to every person but may have therapeutic benefits for the person with a functional disability like ALS. It will help to utilize the muscles of vocal cords and prevent atrophy due to inactivity. So, it has two sides including helping peop...