Special Olympics--Christian joins the team

[minkydog]

The division A swim team, that is. It's very sweet. These are are the lowest functioning kids for the most part. The kids adore it; most of them jump right in. They are in it for the fun. This was Christian's first time, so they had to show him the ropes (literally--he doesn't see well). He had a teenage boy assigned to him who swam laps beside him and encouraged him. Did you know they have these kids in 6 feet of water? But it was very safe and everyone had flotation devices. Christian swam and swam, about 6 complete laps in an Olympic size pool. I'm pretty sure I couldn't to that, with or without flotation.

Getting him dressed afterward was too funny--he was slumped in his chair and he kept sighing while I was toweling him off. Deep sighing. Then snoring. And he was awake I brought him home at 7:30 and he was asleep by 8.

 

[SueM in MN]

very cool

 

[Scutapipig]

Your post warmed my heart this morning. Thank you for sharing and bringing a smile to my face!

My little guy started bowling with Special Olympics this winter. His bowling is better on the Wii than in real life, but those smiles and giggles are priceless!

 

[KirstenB]

Go Christian!! I think swimming is such a great sport!! As a bonus, yeah it does tire them out, heh heh...

 

[SandrainNC]

Very cool!!! Go Christian!!!!

Ryan isn't old enough yet (he is 7), but his class is traveling to our local Special Olympics in April (I think its April). He has one girl in his class who is old enough to participate so they are going to go cheer for her.

He does start Challenger Baseball next week though for the first time. He is going to be so cute in that uniform!

Sandra

 

[minkydog]

Very cool!!! Go Christian!!!!

Ryan isn't old enough yet (he is 7), but his class is traveling to our local Special Olympics in April (I think its April). He has one girl in his class who is old enough to participate so they are going to go cheer for her.

He does start Challenger Baseball next week though for the first time. He is going to be so cute in that uniform!

Sandra

We tried Challenger baseball a few years back. I found it exhausting. Christian can't stand still and he can't be in the field without supervision, so I had to stand out there and literally hold him in place. He could bat hand-over-hand and run the bases if I held his hand and dragged him with me. Like I said, exhausting. And he didn't even particularly care. We lasted part of one season before I threw in the towl on that one.

This time I think we have the perfect match. Christian loves to be in the water and is quite motivated. The best part is there are enough helpers that I do not *personally* have to make it happen.

 

[SandrainNC]

I'm sorry that didn't work out.

Ryan will be assigned a Buddy who will be with him on the field. The Buddy is supposed to encourage him to do things, but will be there when he won't/can't do stuff. Ryan loves to hit the ball, but he wants to keep hitting it instead of running to the base. So it should be interesting.

Sandra