Therapeutic Recreation

Through the therapies offered by our therapeutic recreation department at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, progress and play come together — with therapeutic interventions that are both fun and functional. As part of your personal recovery journey, we enable you to move forward on the path of physical, cognitive and emotional healing.

By participating in different leisure activities and interventions offered by our therapeutic recreation department, we help our patients build upon physical skills, resume participation in previous recreational interests and discover new ones.

• We offer rich and meaningful ways for you to engage in recreation and leisure opportunities — and to explore creative arts and music.
• We provide individualized interventions that are driven by your specific needs, rehabilitation goals and personal interests.
• Our certified specialists work with patients individually, as well as in groups so you have the opportunity to meet fellow patients who may be on similar rehabilitation journeys.
• Our therapeutic interventions take place in various hospital and community environments — from bedside in our patient rooms to our ability labs, gardens, outdoor spaces and nearby community destinations.
• We can connect you to programs in your community — no matter where you live — so you may continue to participate in recreation and leisure pursuits after being discharged from Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.