BLOOM FITNESS CORPORATION
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Mission Statement
Lead the intellectual and developmental disability population to a lifetime of fitness.
About This Cause
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are a historically underserved population. It was not until the passing of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that Americans with an IDD received protection against disability-related discrimination. Further protection was added in 1990 with the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. And while overt discriminatory actions on the part of government and private organizations no longer exist in the United States, many present-day practices and policies create community access and health inequalities. These inequalities include diminished opportunities to engage in shared experiences with peers, especially ones related to health and wellness programs. A 2018 Center for Disease Control (CDC) report estimated that 32.9% of adults with disabilities have frequent mental stress, defined as 14 or more unhealthy mental days during a 30-day period. Two of the most common sources of this distress were poor health behaviors and limitations in daily life. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased isolation, disconnect, disrupted routines, and access to health services. The limitations in daily life that create this high rate of mental stress are often products of lack of opportunity and access. Merely offering a program to people with disabilities does not ensure access to the full range of program benefits, nor does it guarantee that participants experience a genuine sense of community. David McMillan and David Chavez (A Sense of Community: A Definition and Theory) define a sense of community as: • "the feeling that members have of belonging, • a feeling that members matter to one another and the group, • and a shared faith that members needs will be met through a commitment to being together." By this definition, adults with IDD have almost no opportunity to engage in the sense of community, regardless of the access afforded to them by law - again increasing mental stress. In addition to inequitable access to a sense of community, adults with IDD also have reduced access to health and wellness programming. The World Health Organization has labeled disability inclusion in health and wellness programs as a world health issue. Barriers to health and wellness access include inadequate provider skill and limited availability of services, appropriateness of programming, feeling of isolation/mental health withdrawal, a lack of community connection. Without access to health and wellness programs, adults with IDD find themselves at a higher risk than their non-disabled peers of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. Additionally, like with the lack of access to a sense of community, the lack of health and wellness programs increases the rate of mental health disorders with the population of adults with IDD. Compounding this issue is a predicted 78% population increase of Americans over the age of 60 within the next ten years, half of which will have a disability. The number of individuals over the age of 60 with an IDD will also double in the next ten years. Without a focused effort on increasing access to compelling communities based on fitness, the health and wellness of adults with IDD will only continue to decline. Bloom Fitness mitigates the effects of community, health, and wellness inequalities within a growing population of adults with IDD by providing access to a wellness program and the motivation to engage within the wellness program's community. Through strategic partnerships with agencies that serve adults with IDD, Bloom Fitness provides access to a community focused on health and wellness. This industry-changing partnership model is a value-add for both organizations increasing their abilities to engage their participants/athletes in a shared experience within an ever-expanding Bloom Community. Through these partnerships, Bloom Fitness provides safe, effective fitness classes that support eight of the ten recognized fitness domains: cardio-respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. Classes are reliable, sustainable, and engaging. Class tenants include (in order of importance); safety, fun, community, encouragement, health/wellness, and fitness. This approach to health and wellness for adults with IDD is unique to Bloom Fitness. However, the community - not the fitness - drives the athlete's long-term commitment to Bloom Fitness. Athletes encourage and motivate each other like teammates. For many Bloom Fitness athletes, this is the first time they have belonged to a fitness-based community that encourages them to maintain healthy lifestyles and achieve measurable fitness goals. It is often the first time athletes have belonged to any community that provides a shared experience of belonging, pride, love. Coaches, athletes, and volunteers are captivated by the empowerment, purpose, success, pride, and a bond to something bigger than oneself that Bloom Fitness provides them. This is not an accidental outcome nor merely a byproduct of great people engaging together. It is a strategically-defined process meant to engage athletes and instructors alike actively. Athletes are recognized for their accomplishments on the community "Champions Board" after each class. Athletes and coaches earn shirts, sweatbands, water bottles, and other awards to symbolize their achievements and commitment to the Bloom Fitness team. These earned rewards further create a sense of community for Bloom Fitness athletes based on the McMillan and Chavez definition. When sporting this earned gear, athletes belong to the Bloom Fitness community, matter to their fellow athletes and the Bloom Fitness community, and share a faith that their commitment to each other will meet their health and wellness. By providing the opportunity to commit to a compelling fitness community, Bloom Fitness improves multiple mental and physical health factors for adults with IDD. Bloom Fitness athletes and their parents and coaches report measurable improvement in self-worth, overall mood, verbal/nonverbal communication skills, weight control, and general health interest.