Even though your child has limited mobility, it doesn't mean that they cannot get involved with athletic activity this summer.

July is an important month for two reasons: not only is it Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, the National Youth Sports Week begins on July 16 and runs until July 22. If your child wants to get involved, but you're worried about their limited mobility, a cane won't stop them from having a good time with their friends. 

National Youth Sports Week is a time to promote health and physical activity across the nation. Not only does this event seek to inspire a healthy lifestyle in our nation's youth, it also hopes to promote a safe environment for your children to play. Unfortunately, this can be a difficult task for your child who suffers from arthritis. 

Arthritis affects around 300,000 children across the nation. For adults, this number climbs to one in 25 that can suffer working limitations due to arthritis. Many children rely on special mobility supplies to walk, run, and participate in physical activity because of this. While some children only need canes, others may require a walker or even a wheelchair. 

Luckily, there are a number of ways to get your child engaged in National Youth Sports Week this summer. There are plenty of mobility parts and equipment designed to help your child succeed. Whether they prefer compression wear or require protective pads, getting your child outside and playing has never been easier. 

Here are some low-impact sports that you can get your child involved with during National Youth Sports Week:

• Swimming -- swimming is a low-impact sport designed to help aid cardiovascular health and strengthen muscles
• Yoga -- this one will be tough to get into since so many arthritis sufferers lack flexibility. But over time, yoga is an activity that anyone can enjoy. It will improve flexibility and promote relaxation. 
• Biking -- biking is good for the joints and, like the other sports mentioned, are great for group activities.

Whether your child prefers canes or needs a wheelchair because of their juvenile arthritis, finding ways to keep them active is key to promoting a healthy lifestyle.