Let's play.
By John Becton
In case you've seen a group of people
out behind the Barnes Woodhall (main
entrance) Building with what appears to
be a parachute or pushing around a ball
that's some four feet across, don't be too
alarmed.
They're doing something many adults
have forgotten how to do. They're
playing.
There is a trend sweeping the nation
which emphasizes playing strictly for
enjoyment, according to Barbara Yoder,
director of recreational therapy for
inpatient psychiatry.
No spectators
The concept is called "New Games,"
although, Yoder noted, most of the games
are old ones which have been revamped.
"They're really competitive, but no one
keeps score," she explained.
"The idea is to get as many people
involved as possible. The games can be
modified for all participants regardless of
age or physical capability. There are no
spectators in New Games."
Yoder said three rules govern all New
Games:
—Play hard
—Play fair
—Nobody hurt
Not for children only
"The main reason we're using New
Games here," Yoder said, "is that all the
recreation staff feels adults have a
problem with playing and enjoying
playing for its own sake. We're told it's
just for children."
The games have been a part of the
psychiatry recreation program for nearly
a year and continue to be well received by
staff and patients.
"Especially staff," Yoder said.
A book by the same title describes many
New Games, which are easily adapted for
whoever wants to play them.
"We also make some up," Yoder said.
The games include old standards such
as tug-of-war and fox-and-geese, as well
as some lesser known ones, including the
'lap game" and "amoeba race."
Everyone sits
In the lap game, participants form a
circle and everyone sits on the knees of
the person behind him or her. With
careful balance, each person actually can
sit.
"Supposedly the Prussian army used to
rest in the field this way," Yoder noted.
The largest number ever to accomplish
the feat, so far, is 1,468, according to the
Guiness Book of World Records.
"It's a low energy way to be close to
m
other people. And you have to trust the
person behind and in front," Yoder said.
"Once seated, you can massage the
shoulders of the person in front," she
said, and added, "Or if you want to end
the game, you can tickle the person."
One-eyed amoeba
In an amoeba race, a group forms a
tightly drawn up circle with one person in
the middle designated as the "eye." This
person guides the group, the rest of
whom close their eyes, as they try to get
from one point to another and back ahead
of the other "amoebae."
"Unless you're really athletic, adults
have few opfwrtunities to play," Yoder
said. "But the trend seems to be changing
with activities like New Games and
Rainbow Soccer."
Month's message
Since June has been proclaimed
National Recreation and Parks Month,
the recreation therapist wanted to convey
a message from all those involved in
recreation at the medical center.
"Think about your leisure life style and
what you enjoy doing. Then take time to
do it. This will contribute to mental as
well as physical well being.
"It doesn't have to be sports. It might be
some involvement in the cultural arts or a
hobby — anything that makes people feel
re-created."
'CHUTE, THIS IS FUN—A New Game allows one to have fun with a
paracbiute without leaving the ground, as these recreation therapists
demonstrate. If your numbers are called fleft), you better change places
quickly or you'll be enveloped by the descending canopy. But even that
may not be too bad (below), because then everyone can help make a
terrific giant creepy creature. (Photos by Parker Herring)
Attention, future ex-smokers
"Some day I'm going to stop smoking."
If these have ever been your words, you
now have a couple of opportunities to
make "someday" arrive.
Dr. Robert H. Shipley, assistant
professor of psychiatry, has developed an
intensive treatment to help smokers who
wish to kick the habit.
He has been awarded a federal grant to
evaluate this treatment and is looking for
people who wish to stop smoking.
Medical center
calendar
June 23-30, 1978
INolices may he sent to Box 3354 no later than
one week prior to publication. I
Friday, June 23, 1 p.m.. Network for
Continuing Medical Education program
on "Blood Components and their
Application." View in Room M406 at
Duke and Rooms D3008, C6002 and
C7002 and Building 16 at the VA
Hospital. Also shown Wednesday, June
28.
Tuesday, June 27, 12:30 p.m.. Special
Biochemistry Seminar. Dr. H.G. Nimmo,
Department of Biochemistry, University
of Glasgow, will speak on "Regulation of
Glycerol-Phosphate Acyltransferase," in
Room 147, Nanaline H. Duke Building.
Coffee will be served at 12:15 in the
lobby.
Interested medical center personnel
should call the VA Hospital, 286-0411,
extension 6687.
Referrals for treatment of patients can
be made through the Behavior Change
and Self Control Program ("Bad Habits
Clinic"), 684-2887.
An additional opportunity is a Stop
Smoking Clinic sponsored jointly by the
Research Triangle Lung Association and
the Seventh Day Adventist Church,
which will be offered at no charge to
participants July 10-14.
The sessions will be held each evening
from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Five Oaks
Seventh Day Adventist Church at the
corner of Farrington and Old Chapel Hill
roads.
4
'Nobody said onytiiing to me about renovations."
Expectant fathers
can suffer, too
(Continued from page l)
siblings who, many years before, had
drawn away their families' attentions.
Despite extensive treatment over a long
period, one patient has yet; to recover.
"We tend to think of developmental
stages as something that children go
through," Butts said. "It's important to
remember that there are also
developmental stages for adults and that
parenthood is a particularly challenging
one."