“
When we learned there was no physical training program
for these athletes, we were shocked and concerned.
We knew we needed to do something to help.
”
Left: Canon-McMillan High School runs the EA adaptive exercise program daily to supplement APE curriculum. Middle: Emily
LaRosa smiles as she pushes herself to get stronger. Right: The Ultimate Dance complex group in McMurray.
organizations to provide the exercise programming IDD students
need to live happier, healthier lives.
“Everyone involved in our participants’ lives outside of our
training—like doctors, teachers, parents, and caregivers—see the
difference,” says Jelinski. “Our clients have increased endurance,
focus, musculoskeletal functioning, muscular strength, flexibility,
balance, stability, coordination and increased intellectual and
cognitive skills from attending at least two classes per week
and following the EA-volutionary Development System on the
Volcano PADD.”
Partnering with The Arc, a national organization that advocates
for and serves people with IDD and their families, EA has been
able to build the most current components of the program.
“Through them, we can offer EA to local chapters and schools that
can get funding to keep costs affordable,” explains Jelinski. “Since
we started licensing to schools, nonprofits and rec centers, we’ve
been able to open programs in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
But because we cannot be everywhere to teach all the classes,
we have trained others to successfully run the EA program and
they’re having the same results we do.”
Participants wanting to sign up for EA “Grow with the Flow”
programs must be ambulatory or present with a walker or hand
crutches. Staff and volunteers are on hand to assist and motivate
them throughout the classes. “The results we’ve seen over the
years has proven to us our program is working,” says Jelinski.
“Chris and I feel very fortunate to have started our business
together and live out our passion in helping so many people live
their best lives.”
With locations currently in Bridgeville, McMurray, Gibsonia,
Mars, Robinson, Zelienople, Washington, Squirrel Hill, Bethel
Park/Castle Shannon, Canonsburg, Irwin/Greensburg and
Slippery Rock, Eruption Athletics has grown substantially—and
has plans to continue growing as interest and sponsorship is
shown all over the Pittsburgh area.
“Every EA program site differs a bit depending on the location,”
notes Jelinski. “At some sites we utilize cardio equipment, strength
machines, free weights or other accessories—depending on if we
are running the program at a gym, physical therapy center, dance
studio, school or community recreation center. Each specific
program will also change with the ability level of the participants
involved.
“The core of the EA program remains the same at each program
site though,” he continues. “With the help of our Volcano PADD,
EA-volutionary Development System, and EA-xpert Trainer
Certification process, we can ensure the same high level of quality
at each site, with other varying program offerings.”
Jelinski and his colleagues chose to bring the program to
multiple areas of Greater Pittsburgh—including locations in the
north and east—after operating in the South Hills for some time,
because of the demand. They specifically picked the sites because
there were owners who were as passionate about providing the
opportunity to this population as they were. The involvement of
more trainers who have a passion for fitness and offering those
with IDD more opportunities to live a healthy life is something
the group is always looking for. Additionally, EA hopes to bring
the full program to more schools, pending a meeting with a
special education director to show how life-changing the EA
program can be.
“With the help of the facility owners and managers, Titus
Murray, Noah Kile, Siri Heasley and Sharon Puluso, who
have been kind enough to open up their doors to this special
population and the EA program, we have been able to spread our
message all over Pittsburgh—that EA-xercise is for everyone!”
says Jelinski.
To learn more about Eruption Athletics and how you can
volunteer or participate in the program, visit eruptionathletics.com. n
Owners Chris Engler
and Joe Jelinski
welcome new
participants and
volunteers with open
arms.
CRANBERRY ❘ WINTER 2019
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