October 30, 2025 By CDHD Healthy Active Lifestyle impacts with the Millers Our Healthy Active Lifestyles (HAL) project focuses on improving physical, emotional and social health outcomes for people with disabilities. Olivia Lebens, Interdisciplinary Program Coordinator, recently sat down with HAL participants Mellody Miller and her daughter Kristin to discuss how programs like Movement in the Park, Healthy Cooking and NatureFit provide barrier-free opportunities that encourage health, independence, confidence and fun! Olivia: Thank you for meeting me today. Kristin: You’re welcome. Olivia: When and how did you first hear about CDHD programs like Healthy Active Lifestyles? Mellody: Well, the first program I heard about was artAbility and that was probably five years go. I heard people talking about it and I didn’t know what it was. So that’s how I got into it. Olivia: You learned about HAL through artAbility? Mellody: Mm hmm. And then for Movement in the Park, I was actually at the Fair and I believe I saw Jill and Patrick. They told me there was exercise in the park, so we went to it. Olivia: And we hooked ya! Mellody: Yeah. [laughs] Olivia: What HAL activities do you participate in? Kristin: Exercise, the cooking class. Olivia: And NatureFit? Kristin: Yeah, NatureFit. Olivia: Which one of those things is your favorite? Kristin: I’m thinking … exercise. Olivia: Oh, exercise is your favorite? Kristin: Yeah Olivia: Why did you initially seek out HAL services or programs? Mellody: Because she [Kristin] likes to spend a lot of time in her apartment and her cooking skills – she wants to learn to cook. She does have the concept of what’s healthy and what’s not. So I thought the HAL Healthy Cooking Classes would be a good support for her. Olivia: A good starting point. And how often do you use or attend HAL programs? Mellody: Probably two or three times per week. Counting all of them. Olivia: That’s good! Why did you decide to start participating in HAL programs? Kristin: Because it’s fun! Olivia: Yeah! And, what do you enjoy most about attending HAL activities like the exercise class? Kristin: Playing Bocce Ball. Olivia: What do you find most helpful about HAL programs? Kristin: Learning about healthy lifestyles. Olivia: On a scale of one to 10, how would you rate the quality of the programs that you’ve participated in? Mellody: Probably an eight. I think Movement in the Park – it’s very cyclical. It started out very structured and it was great. It got a little bit more relaxed and I noticed a drop off in attendance. Now, I think it’s increasing again. I like the variety that it offers, especially the Friday activity of researching different things to do. It’s not just straight exercise. Olivia: Yeah. It’s fun. Mellody: It’s fun! Olivia: And more interactive, I think. Mellody: Mm hmm. Olivia: And a new space every week! Mellody: Mm hmm. Olivia: How have these services or programs impacted Kristin’s life? Mellody: She loves it! Kristin, has it impacted your life a lot or a little? Kristin: A lot! Mellody: She looks forward to it every time it happens. Olivia: What skills have you picked up from these programs? Have you learned anything new from the healthy cooking class, or learning bocce ball, or learning about NatureFit? Kristin: Yeah, orange juice! [laughs] Olivia: Orange juice? Can you explain that to me? Kristin: Orange juice from the cooking class. Olivia: What did you make with orange juice in the cooking class? Did you make a smoothie in the cooking class? Kristin: Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about. Olivia: What’s your favorite smoothie? Kristin: It’s chocolate. Olivia: What do you find most valuable about these programs? Mellody: I think the valuable thing is that these programs really try to incorporate everybody’s needs. So, she’s with her peers. And the skills that are incorporated are everyday life skills that everybody can use to improve. Olivia: Have these programs contributed to greater confidence or independence for Kristin? Mellody: I believe so. Do you believe so too? Kristin: Mm hmm Mellody: Before these programs started. I used to have to go to every single thing with her, sit there with her, and watch to make sure that things were ok. She doesn’t want me there anymore and I think that is a wonderful sign of independence. Also, with some of the challenges – if she gets upset, she has a lot of help. So, I think it has contributed to it [her independence] quite a bit. Olivia: Are there any other skills you or any of your family members developed from participating in these programs or services? Mellody: Yeah, I guess I’d have to say we, because of Movement in the Park, we started walking regularly in the [University of Idaho] Arboretum. Also, with the cooking classes, there have been quite a few things that we have made. A couple have been the smoothies and the little protein balls. Olivia: Oh, the protein balls were so good! Mellody: They were good! They were really good! Olivia: I have made them like four times since that class. Mellody: Uh huh! Another thing that’s a positive for me is when they’re working in the kitchen with their peers, you really see what skills they need to work on. That’s been a valuable skill for me. Olivia: How do the skills that you’ve developed help you in your life outside of HAL programs? Kirstin: By working hard. Working more. Olivia: Do you mean by doing the skills you learned or exercising? Kristin: Exercise and doing my skills. Olivia: Do you have any favorite memories from the programs you’ve participated in that you can tell me about? Kirstin: Peanut butter [laughs]. Olivia: [Laughing] Peanut butter is your favorite memory? Do you have any other favorite memories? Kristin: Just walking around, writing in my journal. Olivia: That’s awesome. Have any of these programs helped build relationships or connections for you, Mellody, or for you, Kristin? Mellody: I think so. There are quite a few parents that I’ve connected with during these programs. That’s been nice when you just talk, or sometimes if we’re helping [at a CDHD activity]. Olivia: What benefits do you think HAL has brought to this local community or potentially to the state? Mellody: I think an awareness that the kids are very capable of doing things. They’re very willing to try new things. Something that goes along with HAL – it’s not a CDHD program. It’s the Reactive Program that does weight training. I never thought that would be something that Kristin would like or be interested in. Never. But she just takes off. And the nice thing about it is that a lot of the people that are in that class are also in the CDHD programs. I hear them talking and they have their own little network. They keep each other informed of things that are going on. Olivia: That’s great! And would you recommend HAL programs to any of your friends? Kirstin: Yeah, sure. Walking in the Arboretum. Olivia: If you were to invite them, what would you say to them to make them come? Kristin: I would say, "Could you please walk the Arboretum with me?" [laughs] Olivia: [Laughing] Would you walk the Arboretum with me? Kristin: I think I’m funny. Olivia: You’re doing awesome! Is the Arboretum one of your favorite places to explore? Kristin: Yeah, sometimes. Olivia: That’s great. Is there anything else you’d like to say about NatureFit or Healthy Cooking or Movement in the Park? Kristin: No. Olivia: Ok. Thank you, Kristin. Kristin: You’re welcome. For more information about all HAL programs, please visit the Healthy Active Lifestyles webpage.