ALS Texas

  • Understanding ALS
    • ALS Symptoms
    • Stages of ALS
    • What Causes ALS?
    • Lou Gehrig and the History of ALS
    • ALS Glossary
  • Who We Are
    • What We Do
    • Our Leadership
    • Financial Information
    • Our Partners
    • Careers
  • Research
    • How ALS Patients Can Help
    • Research Resources
    • Research News
    • ALS Association Research
  • Navigating ALS
    • Newly Diagnosed
      • What Do I Do Now?
      • How to Share Your Diagnosis
      • Second Opinions
      • Resources
      • Clinics and Centers
    • Living with ALS
      • For Patients
      • Therapies & Care
        • Nutrition & Feeding Tubes
        • How to Improve Mobility
        • Dealing with Breathing Issues
        • Dealing with Speech & Swallowing Issues
        • Types of Assistive Equipment & Technology
        • Clinics and Centers
      • Living Setting
      • Daily Living Activities
      • Leisure Activities
      • Accessible Vehicles
      • More in Depth Resources/Manuals
    • Coping with ALS
      • Dealing with Anxiety/Depression
      • Changes in Thinking & Emotional Lability
      • Support Groups
      • Resources
    • For Caregivers
      • Caregiver Program
      • Caregiver Resources
      • Practicing Self Care
      • From One Caregiver To Another
    • For Youth & Children
    • Virtual Support Groups & Workshops
      • Past Virtual Event Recordings
    • Resources
      • Healthcare/Insurance
      • Hospice & Palliative Care
      • Finances/Employment
      • Taxes
      • Advance Directives
      • More in Depth Resources/Manuals
      • Register with ALS Texas
  • Get Involved
    • Walk to Defeat ALS®
      • Register for a Walk
    • Texas Chapter Events
      • Houston Marathon and Half Marathon
      • All In For ALS Poker Tournament
      • Sporting Clay Shoot
      • Under Ballou Skies Golf Classic and Party
      • ALS Fishing Classic
      • The Cowtown Affair
    • Calendar of Events
    • Fundraising Opportunities
    • Ways to Give
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Workplace Giving
      • Community Giving Programs
    • Volunteer
    • The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
  • Advocate
    • Advocacy Day
    • Advocacy News
  • Contact Us
Menu
  • Understanding ALS
    • ALS Symptoms
    • Stages of ALS
    • What Causes ALS?
    • Lou Gehrig and the History of ALS
    • ALS Glossary
  • Who We Are
    • What We Do
    • Our Leadership
    • Financial Information
    • Our Partners
    • Careers
  • Research
    • How ALS Patients Can Help
    • Research Resources
    • Research News
    • ALS Association Research
  • Navigating ALS
    • Newly Diagnosed
      • What Do I Do Now?
      • How to Share Your Diagnosis
      • Second Opinions
      • Resources
      • Clinics and Centers
    • Living with ALS
      • For Patients
      • Therapies & Care
        • Nutrition & Feeding Tubes
        • How to Improve Mobility
        • Dealing with Breathing Issues
        • Dealing with Speech & Swallowing Issues
        • Types of Assistive Equipment & Technology
        • Clinics and Centers
      • Living Setting
      • Daily Living Activities
      • Leisure Activities
      • Accessible Vehicles
      • More in Depth Resources/Manuals
    • Coping with ALS
      • Dealing with Anxiety/Depression
      • Changes in Thinking & Emotional Lability
      • Support Groups
      • Resources
    • For Caregivers
      • Caregiver Program
      • Caregiver Resources
      • Practicing Self Care
      • From One Caregiver To Another
    • For Youth & Children
    • Virtual Support Groups & Workshops
      • Past Virtual Event Recordings
    • Resources
      • Healthcare/Insurance
      • Hospice & Palliative Care
      • Finances/Employment
      • Taxes
      • Advance Directives
      • More in Depth Resources/Manuals
      • Register with ALS Texas
  • Get Involved
    • Walk to Defeat ALS®
      • Register for a Walk
    • Texas Chapter Events
      • Houston Marathon and Half Marathon
      • All In For ALS Poker Tournament
      • Sporting Clay Shoot
      • Under Ballou Skies Golf Classic and Party
      • ALS Fishing Classic
      • The Cowtown Affair
    • Calendar of Events
    • Fundraising Opportunities
    • Ways to Give
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Workplace Giving
      • Community Giving Programs
    • Volunteer
    • The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
  • Advocate
    • Advocacy Day
    • Advocacy News
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE
Menu
  • DONATE
Donate
Home > Navigating ALS > For Patients > Leisure Activities

Leisure Activities

We all have fun things we like to do: hobbies, sports, artistic endeavors, or other leisure activities.

With all of the challenges and tasks involved in living with ALS, it’s important to also keep doing those things that you enjoy. Although it’s true that ALS can make many leisure activities more difficult—or even seemingly impossible—there are ways you can adapt and still get enjoyment out of the things you love.

Assistive Equipment

As the effects of ALS make movement more difficult, you’ll likely need help with the physical aspects of your favorite leisure activities. Thankfully, just like there is assistive equipment and technology that can help with your everyday chores, there are assistive devices and modifications that can help you take part in the fun activities you enjoy. For example, if you like to fish, there are automatic casters and reelers available, and ramps can be built to provide easier access to your boat or dock. There is assistive equipment for many different leisure activities- far too many to try listing them all here. To learn what might be available for your favorite hobbies or sports, contact your ALS Care Services Manager.

Adjusting Activities

Even with assistive equipment, some physical activities will eventually become too difficult, or may seem to be more trouble than they are worth. At that point, you’ll need to make adjustments to the activity itself.

For starters, think about why you enjoy your favorite leisure activities. What is it about the activity that you love? There are often core aspects of a leisure activity that you can continue to enjoy. For example, an avid hiker might enjoy hiking largely because it allows them to experience the beauty, peace, and quiet of the outdoors. Even if you are no longer able to hike, you can still get outdoors and experience those things. Or, if you love playing a particular sport, it might be because you are competitive by nature and like the challenge of beating someone else at a game. Other, less physical games could allow you to still experience those competitive thrills.

Technology can again be helpful when making this transition. If you love to travel, you can virtually visit attractions all over the world through online photos, videos, travel blogs, or television shows. If you love books but can’t physically turn the pages, audio books can do the reading for you. Instead of playing sports, you can watch sports on TV, play fantasy sports with friends, or play virtually through video games.

And don’t be afraid to try new things; you might find a new favorite leisure activity.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us at ALS Texas.

Navigating ALS

exploreNavigating ALS

  • Newly Diagnosed
    • What do I do Now?
    • How to Share your Diagnosis
    • Second Opinions
    • Resources
    • Clinics and Centers

  • Living with ALS
    • For Patients
    • Therapies & Care
      • Nutrition & Feeding Tubes
      • How to Improve Mobility
      • Dealing with Breathing Issues
      • Dealing with Speech & Swallowing Issues
      • Types of Assistive Equipment & Technology
      • Clinics and Centers
    • Living Setting
    • Daily Living Activities
    • Leisure Activites
    • Accessible Vehicles
    • More in Depth Resources/Manuals

  • Coping with ALS
    • Dealing with Anxiety/Depression
    • Changes in Thinking & Emotional Lability
    • Support Groups
    • Resources

  • For Caregivers
    • Caregivers Resources
    • Practicing Self Care
    • From One Caregiver to Another

  • Resources
    • Healthcare/Insurance
    • Hospice Care
    • Finances/Employment
    • Taxes
    • Advance Directives
    • More in Depth Resources/Manuals
    • Register with ALS Texas
  • Find Local Services
  • Donate
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy
  • Link Policy
  • Contact Us

The ALS Association of Texas | 877.714.0088
All content and works posted on this website are owned and copyrighted by the ALS Association of Texas © 2021


Dallas Office 14555 Dallas Parkway Suite 100-219, Dallas, Texas 75254
San Antonio Office We're working from home! Please send mail to the Dallas office.
Austin Office 2301 W Anderson Lane, Austin, TX, 78757
Houston Office 4201 Main Street, Suite 200-142, Houston, TX 77002