The $6,500 grant will help Totally Adaptive continue providing inclusive programming for children, teens and adults through Western Massachusetts.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
EAST LONGMEADOW — East Longmeadow’s Totally Adaptive will enhance programming and increase accessibility to its specialized fitness services for individuals with autism and other disabilities after receiving $6,500 through the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism’s Community Impact Grant.
Totally Adaptive is a nonprofit that offers in-person and online fitness options to people of all abilities, such as yoga, light weight-lifting, meditation and rhythmic drumming cardio. It is located inside the Continuum Performance Center at 175 Benton Drive.
The organization aims to help people of all abilities reach their fitness goals while building confidence and community, according to its website.
Boston College Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie created the Flutie Foundation in 1998 after his son was diagnosed with autism. It has provided over $20 million to schools and organizations that provide clinical therapies, recreational programs and social skills training for people with autism.
The grant supports “traditionally under-served, under-funded, culturally diverse communities reflected in the Flutie Foundation’s areas of impact,” a press release said.
According to the organization, clients are already showing increased confidence, self-esteem and improved strength and endurance.
Totally Adaptive Board member Maria Themistos said the organization strives for inclusion with a “your way is the right way” motto. She said there is no “wrong way” at Totally Adaptive.
“The way you and I may do something in the exercise world may be completely different,” Themistos said. “That’s okay, because your way is the right way.”
Around 80% of Totally Adaptive’s clients are people with autism, and Themistos said the organization is in the community to support the needs of individuals and families with autism and other disabilities.
“We have exercise equipment that is really great for any individual to use,” Themistos said. “It’s fun, it’s safe, it gives our clients a way to improve their social connectedness. It helps improve focus and attention, it improves their self confidence, their mood. They’re really getting a lot out of the equipment.”
She said that part of the grant will go toward new equipment and a storage shed, adding that more equipment will allow more people to benefit from Totally Adaptive’s services.
The grant also helps cover professional development for instructors, such as CPR training, along with providing a new scholarship opportunity that covers one year of tuition for all classes.
More information on Totally Adaptive, how to get involved and how to donate can be found at totallyadaptive.org.
