Talia Cantaffa

Activity: Random Words

Source: Andrea (2013, October 13). Recreation Therapy Ideas Blogspot: Adults.

Retrieved from http://rectherapyideas.blogspot.com/search?q=random+words

Equipment Needed: One sheets of paper and one pencil

Description:

1. Prepare a list of words ahead of time.

2. Acquire at least 5 players - 30 people.

3. The facilitator will hand out the list of words to the first person who volunteers to start

the activity.

4. Have the first participant close his or her eyes and point to a word on the paper.

5. The participant will then restate a memory or experience associated with or connected to

the random word they chose.

6. After the first participant has stopped speaking, they will then pass the list to the next

person in the group and so on.

Adaptation:

For an individual with multiple sclerosis (MS), who is relapsing-remitting, he or she can

experience severe problems with balance, vision, speech, and muscle control. MS attacks

the central nervous system which includes the brain and spinal cord, and can ultimately

impair the brain's ability to send signals through the body’s nerves. This specific activity

challenges the individual to read the chosen word on the paper and then speak about their

personal experience or connection to that specific word. This activity also focuses on

reminiscing, which can help the participant in emotional and cognitive ways.
 Talia Cantaffa

Emotionally, the participant is explaining a part of their past and this can help take their

mind off of the disease or other battles they may be fighting. Cognitively, reminiscing

helps build memory skills which is important to practice as one ages. Adaptations may

have to be made for some people with MS. Sometimes, it is hard for patients to get out of

bed and they can easily lose balance. Due to this, the participant could sit in a chair with

arms or even do this activity in bed (if moveable) as it only requires speaking and

listening. A wheelchair or walker may also be required for some patients if they are

unable to walk and this would allow them to get to the place where the activity is more

easily in order to fully participate. If vision or speech is impaired, the font on the paper

could be larger and/or an assistant could help them out with relaying their story to the rest

of the group. If they are completely unable to speak, they can try to draw or write their

experience and have the group guess what it is.

Source: Health Talk (2018, July). Multiple sclerosis: friends and family experiences.

Retrieved from

http://www.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/long-term-conditions/multiple-sclerosis-fr

iends-family-experiences/adaptations-aids-and-equipment-ms

Source: National Multiple Sclerosis Society (2019, September). What is MS?

Retrieved from https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS

Talia Cantaffa
Talia Cantaffa
Talia Cantaffa
Talia Cantaffa
 Talia Cantaffa

Random Words

Pizza Family Vacation

Beach Brother Summer

Toilet Sister Flowers

Bed Mom Cat

Baby Dad Clothing

Birth Friend College

Cousin Wedding Art

Holidays Banana Love

Present Ice Cream Relationships

Birthday Boardwalk Holding Hands

Dog Lake Coffee

Concert Swimming Drawing

Hair Sports Perfume

Smile School Candles

Christmas Airplane Laundry