Lessons learnt on the meaning of involvement and co-creation in developing community-based rehabilitation

Purpose: To describe and analyse social interactions among the users, partners and stakeholders involved in developing a rehabilitation park to determine a future approach to community-based rehabilitation. Materials and methods: The design was qualitative using the methodology interpretive description and symbolic interactionism as the theoretical framework. Data was generated through a two-year ethnographic fieldwork throughout the development of the SPARK (Sound Park Activities Rehabilitation and Climate) rehabilitation park. The participants were users, partners, and stakeholders of the park and data consisted of participant observations comprising observations, informal conversations, and field notes. Results: Three themes formed an understanding of the significance of involvement; A shared vision reflected the participants' joint overall idea for the rehabilitation park containing possibilities for health promotions for everyone. Perceived solidarity represented an experience of a project where everyone's opinion counted whilst Profound Acknowledgement signified a state of a deeper experience of being valued and heard. Conclusions: The findings suggest consistent and continuous involvement of users, partners, and stakeholders, creating possibilities for co-creation in rehabilitation in new settings. The development of rehabilitation parks like the SPARK park in a shared public arena may benefit people with disability, and everyone and further help reduce stigma around disability.