Aaron Fotheringham CAHPERD Hosts National Adapted P.E. Conference in San Diego November 20-22, 2008. The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (CAHPERD), hosted the 37th annual “National Adapted Physical Education Conference” (NAPEC), in San Diego, California, November 20-22, 2008. With a mission of, “Promoting Physical Activity for All,” the event was held at the Westin Gaslamp Quarter Hotel, (formerly known as the Westin Horton Plaza Hotel), and attracted leading researchers and instructors from throughout the Nation and World, to present and share best practices regarding implementing successful and highly-effective adapted physical education and activity programs for the disabled. Over 40 presenters and three Featured Speakers promoted the “Abilities, Disabilities, Possibilities,” theme, where the attendees were encouraged to, “Challenge, learn, improve, motivate, and believe” (CLIMB), that anything is possible. Among the three Keynote Speakers included Saturday’s General Session/Awards Luncheon Speaker Aaron Fotheringham—the popular and amazing young man and “Extreme Athlete,” who has gained notoriety (and recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records), for doing back flips in his wheelchair on “You Tube” and “ESPN.” John Lytle
And on Thursday afternoon, the featured speaker was Nick Cook, demonstrating how instructors may “CLIMB to New Heights,” with successful behavior strategies for autistic students. Many other sessions were presented on various
aspects of adapted physical education and physical activity
programs throughout the conference -- which will also featured
dozens of exhibitors, general fitness classes for attendees
(such as Yoga, Pilates, and Water Aerobics), and networking
and educational programs. |
Friday’s
Luncheon also featured John
Lytle, the inspirational
cartoonist who created "Leeder O. Men," and the popular website
