Special Olympics

[Guest guest]

I'll probably come across as a drone on this. Special Olympics can be

either wonderful or a whole lot less. Usually, it is sort of a sugar

pill that builds self esteem (a good thing to do), but it hasn't a lot

to do with the other issues. Elementary track and field and other entry

events don't help.

Our kids (i.e. those with ds) are well known for bad muscle tone and

floppy joints and also for not really being aware of the rules and

skills of a sport. What S.O is to me is about these issues PLUS also

building self esteem. Any program that doesn't train enough to build

muscle tone, and also train enough to build major sports skills shorts

your kids of real value. If you get those, the self esteem really takes

off.

Going out and running a race or throwing a softball or whatever is OK

for an introduction, but it doesn't really get beyond a short

self-esteem boost. It takes time (let's say two months) of weekly

training to improve muscle tone and learn sports skills. Simply going

to a meet with minimal training doesn't do it. Moving from sport to

sport keeps up the gains.

OK, I've argued with the administrators to let a child who had been

skiing with her parents onto my team in spite of the fact that we hadn't

six weeks of training. She was trained .. just not all by me. Any less

training and I'd have done a real disfavor in spite of the fact that she

would be 'divisioned' so that she would probably go home with a

self-esteem boost.

I didn't get into coaching because that was my life aim. I got into

coaching because there would be no programs for my daughter in skiing or

gymnastics if I didn't. I had to learn what was important because I was

a casual skier and I had little knowledge of gymnastics (one of the very

best sports for out kids). After my dozen or so years, I believe

strongly in the whole program and not just the competition.

Yes, I had some weekend trainings for gymnastics, but I learned mostly

with Jan and a few others. I did develop a wonderful relationship with

my athletes. I've got the t-shirt to show it and I've got a

relationship outside of 'parent' with Jan. Trust me, it is different

and wonderful. Coach and athlete are co-dependent and in the right

circumstances, they learn this.

If S.O. in your area doesn't provide a complete program, take charge.

In reality it costs little more than driving your child to a training

session and watching.

Warning, you are different and so is your child. Take this advice with

care.

Rick .. dad to Jan .. also made the local S.O. coach's hall of fame

one year

[Guest guest]

I'm so glad you made this point, Rick. S.O. claims a motto of year round

fitness. Fitness requires exactly what you are discussing in this post.

Elaine

re: special olympics

I'll probably come across as a drone on this. Special Olympics can be

either wonderful or a whole lot less. Usually, it is sort of a sugar

pill that builds self esteem (a good thing to do), but it hasn't a lot

to do with the other issues. Elementary track and field and other entry

events don't help.

Our kids (i.e. those with ds) are well known for bad muscle tone and

floppy joints and also for not really being aware of the rules and

skills of a sport. What S.O is to me is about these issues PLUS also

building self esteem. Any program that doesn't train enough to build

muscle tone, and also train enough to build major sports skills shorts

your kids of real value. If you get those, the self esteem really takes

off.

Going out and running a race or throwing a softball or whatever is OK

for an introduction, but it doesn't really get beyond a short

self-esteem boost. It takes time (let's say two months) of weekly

training to improve muscle tone and learn sports skills. Simply going

to a meet with minimal training doesn't do it. Moving from sport to

sport keeps up the gains.

OK, I've argued with the administrators to let a child who had been

skiing with her parents onto my team in spite of the fact that we hadn't

six weeks of training. She was trained .. just not all by me. Any less

training and I'd have done a real disfavor in spite of the fact that she

would be 'divisioned' so that she would probably go home with a

self-esteem boost.

I didn't get into coaching because that was my life aim. I got into

coaching because there would be no programs for my daughter in skiing or

gymnastics if I didn't. I had to learn what was important because I was

a casual skier and I had little knowledge of gymnastics (one of the very

best sports for out kids). After my dozen or so years, I believe

strongly in the whole program and not just the competition.

Yes, I had some weekend trainings for gymnastics, but I learned mostly

with Jan and a few others. I did develop a wonderful relationship with

my athletes. I've got the t-shirt to show it and I've got a

relationship outside of 'parent' with Jan. Trust me, it is different

and wonderful. Coach and athlete are co-dependent and in the right

circumstances, they learn this.

If S.O. in your area doesn't provide a complete program, take charge.

In reality it costs little more than driving your child to a training

session and watching.

Warning, you are different and so is your child. Take this advice with

care.

Rick .. dad to Jan .. also made the local S.O. coach's hall of fame

one year

[Guest guest]

I have to agree with Elaine <dbonorato4@...>. Special Olympics

is a much broader program than just taking your kids to competition.

She talks about " year round " which is a good start, but I never managed

that with my athletes.

Special Olympics starts with training. The athletes need to learn the

sport. In gymnastics that was skills, conditioning, and sequencing the

event. In track and field it is perhaps just skills and conditioning,

although learning to pace might be equivalent to sequencing the event.

The training must be long enough to really condition the athlete. Six

weeks was what I was required to show for gymnastics or skiing, and we

generally did much, much more than that. We taught our daughters to ski

by skiing with them. It wasn't all competive skiing, but it was skills

and conditioning. The competitive aspects weren't at the top of our

lists in spite of having the best female skiers in the state.

While the self-esteem can come from placing a child (or adult) in a

competition that they haven't really trained for, in my mind comptition

is of more value if the athlete has trained and if they associate

training, practice, and conditioning with their success. We are trying

to train our kids for life, not for some " natural ability "

demonstration.

This is a multi-part program and it works best when the

kids/athletes/adults get all of the components.

As a parent you have to remember that the difference is small between a

parent and a coach is that one watches from the sidelines while their

child does something and the other is there making the program run. The

time investment of either is roughly the same. Being a coach isn't all

that big of a deal, but it can make the program that your child needs.

I've been on both sides.

I'd love to hear from parents who are frustrated with S.O. activities

for their child. I've been there and have some pointers about how to

move past that.

Rick .. dad and coach to Jan and some others.

[Guest guest]

Great points Rick!! My husband is the SO swimming coach and has coached

basketball, softball, soccer and trained for track. He has had the kids

swimming twice a week (some 4 times a week) for the last year and a half. He

has six kids at present. We have problems getting parents to help with their

kids and that is why schools do this here in Georgia. In Hawaii, families are

the number one priority, so the kids have such incredible support. Our kids

have a much slower metabolic rate than typical kids. That's why we need to work

at a fitness program for them. We are working toward some kind of year round

sports program but there are only so many hours in the day and one person can't

do it all. How can you get other involved?

Elaine

re: Special Olympics

I have to agree with Elaine <dbonorato4@...>. Special Olympics

is a much broader program than just taking your kids to competition.

She talks about " year round " which is a good start, but I never managed

that with my athletes.

Special Olympics starts with training. The athletes need to learn the

sport. In gymnastics that was skills, conditioning, and sequencing the

event. In track and field it is perhaps just skills and conditioning,

although learning to pace might be equivalent to sequencing the event.

The training must be long enough to really condition the athlete. Six

weeks was what I was required to show for gymnastics or skiing, and we

generally did much, much more than that. We taught our daughters to ski

by skiing with them. It wasn't all competive skiing, but it was skills

and conditioning. The competitive aspects weren't at the top of our

lists in spite of having the best female skiers in the state.

While the self-esteem can come from placing a child (or adult) in a

competition that they haven't really trained for, in my mind comptition

is of more value if the athlete has trained and if they associate

training, practice, and conditioning with their success. We are trying

to train our kids for life, not for some " natural ability "

demonstration.

This is a multi-part program and it works best when the

kids/athletes/adults get all of the components.

As a parent you have to remember that the difference is small between a

parent and a coach is that one watches from the sidelines while their

child does something and the other is there making the program run. The

time investment of either is roughly the same. Being a coach isn't all

that big of a deal, but it can make the program that your child needs.

I've been on both sides.

I'd love to hear from parents who are frustrated with S.O. activities

for their child. I've been there and have some pointers about how to

move past that.

Rick .. dad and coach to Jan and some others.

[Guest guest]

WAY TO GO PATRICK!!!!

I am signing Mav up for Sp O swimming for the first time. Sign ups are June

2nd and I have NO idea what to expect, but he's excited.

M.

 ¸...¸     ___/ /\ \___        ¸...¸     

,·´º o`·, /__/ _/\_ \__\     ,·´º o`·,

```)¨(´´´  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  ```)¨(´´´

¸,.-·²°´      ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸      `°²·-.¸

 

......for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

3:33

[Guest guest]

Congratulations on 's silver medal for swimming.

Special Olympics is such a fun and rewarding time for kids and parents both.

It build self esteem in the kids and helps them with competition and social

skills in life. We never miss a Special Olympic track meet or bowling meet.

When the kids get a few years older, they will get into some of the other

stuff.

Dad to , Kristi, (all three Down syndrome) and (Cri du

chat)

Husband to C. in Mo.

Uncle Daddy to and in Calif.

Special Olympics

> has a brand spanking new silver medal for swimming the 50 meter

freestyle at Georgia state games:)) YEAH PATRICK!!! He worked so hard and

really wanted this. He came in 4th on the backstroke and this is a new

stroke for him. I was very very proud. (his 17 year old best friend

also with DS) got gold in the 50 m butterfly and silver in the 50 free. He

and had so much trouble at the dance because the girls wanted tall

guys. GEEZ ladies are you teaching short discrimination to your daughters?

LOL They had a ball though because and I went out and danced with

them. Then told us to go 'way, go 'way. )

> Elaine

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

WAY TO GO PATRICK!!!!

mom to Bridget 11ds in Upstate, SC

[Guest guest]

Congratulations to Kaitlyn! Sounds like you had a great day. I love S.O.!

Jackie, Mom to 16ds, 13, and Bradley 10

> We had our state Special Olympics track meet last weekend. It is a really big

> production and we had loads of community volunteers. It was a great time.

> Kaitlyn participated in 25 meter assisted swim, 25 meter flotation swim, 50

> meter dash, 100 meter dash, ball throw, running long jump and the 4x100 relay.

> She came home with one gold, two silver, three bronze, and a 6th place ribbon.

> She had a lot of fun and did so much better than we expected. She one of the

> smallest athletes participating.

>

> This is our first year to participate in Special Olympics and I have been so

> impressed.

> Darcy mom to 13, Kaitlyn 10, and Grant 8

>

>

[Guest guest]

What really truly incredibly ORGANIZED state are you located in? Our athletes

can't do track AND swimming. They must choose between them. We are in Georgia,

but it was that way in Hawaii and Missouri too. (former military family) I

know you must be proud of Kaitlyn. Sounds like she's quite an athlete:)

Elaine

Special Olympics

We had our state Special Olympics track meet last weekend. It is a really big

production and we had loads of community volunteers. It was a great time.

Kaitlyn participated in 25 meter assisted swim, 25 meter flotation swim, 50

meter dash, 100 meter dash, ball throw, running long jump and the 4x100 relay.

She came home with one gold, two silver, three bronze, and a 6th place ribbon.

She had a lot of fun and did so much better than we expected. She one of the

smallest athletes participating.

This is our first year to participate in Special Olympics and I have been so

impressed.

Darcy mom to 13, Kaitlyn 10, and Grant 8

[Guest guest]

We are in Kansas. I have been very impressed. Our coaches are just awesome.

The kids could choose between tennis, swimming or golf and then also do track.

There are some teams that also did gymnastics but ours didn't. Our state was

the first to have the law enforcement torch run leading up to the state track

meet. It was so cool and then the previous year's most inspirational athlete

runs the torch around the track (if able) and lights the olympic flame in

opening ceremony. Besides the parade of athletes and awards the opening

ceremonies had two bands play and a large fireworks show. One of the bands came

up all the way from Texas. All donated time. We had a lot of rockin kids that

night. We all had a great weekend. Darcy

Special Olympics

We had our state Special Olympics track meet last weekend. It is a really

big production and we had loads of community volunteers. It was a great time.

Kaitlyn participated in 25 meter assisted swim, 25 meter flotation swim, 50

meter dash, 100 meter dash, ball throw, running long jump and the 4x100 relay.

She came home with one gold, two silver, three bronze, and a 6th place ribbon.

She had a lot of fun and did so much better than we expected. She one of the

smallest athletes participating.

This is our first year to participate in Special Olympics and I have been so

impressed.

Darcy mom to 13, Kaitlyn 10, and Grant 8

[Guest guest]

speaking of tennis...do any of your kids play? karen in dallas

Special Olympics

We had our state Special Olympics track meet last weekend. It is a really

big production and we had loads of community volunteers. It was a great time.

Kaitlyn participated in 25 meter assisted swim, 25 meter flotation swim, 50

meter dash, 100 meter dash, ball throw, running long jump and the 4x100 relay.

She came home with one gold, two silver, three bronze, and a 6th place ribbon.

She had a lot of fun and did so much better than we expected. She one of the

smallest athletes participating.

This is our first year to participate in Special Olympics and I have been

so impressed.

Darcy mom to 13, Kaitlyn 10, and Grant 8

[Guest guest]

Kaitlyn doesn't yet, but my neighbors son who is 30 plays quite well. Darcy

Special Olympics

We had our state Special Olympics track meet last weekend. It is a

really big production and we had loads of community volunteers. It was a great

time. Kaitlyn participated in 25 meter assisted swim, 25 meter flotation swim,

50 meter dash, 100 meter dash, ball throw, running long jump and the 4x100

relay. She came home with one gold, two silver, three bronze, and a 6th place

ribbon. She had a lot of fun and did so much better than we expected. She one

of the smallest athletes participating.

This is our first year to participate in Special Olympics and I have

been so impressed.

Darcy mom to 13, Kaitlyn 10, and Grant 8

[Guest guest]

My daughter is at state games for tennis right now. She does ok, but she is so

SHORT that she usually gets creamed! She has beat a big almost 7 foot guy in

match play twice now and she is THRILLED about those victories .... mainly

because he always calls her a shrimp and she can tease back that the shrimp beat

the giant! ;-)

Cheryl in VA

[Guest guest]

I guess I've put in my time in S.O. regional and state games. In the

end, I came away thinking of the competitions only as the icing on the

cake. So much of the value in Special Olympics comes from the training.

When I first took Jan to S.O., she had no formal training (nor did

anyone there). She was so cute! There were no formal routines and when

she got out onto the gymnastics mat she just stood there. Then,

prompted by me she did a summersault and got a big hand. She just kept

going on after that.

A year later S.O. got funding from a bank for a gymnastics team. Again

it was pretty haphazard. Jan was the mascot by 5 years and probably the

best gymnast, but I just watched for three years as this incredible mix

of people improved their gross motor control and self image with this

program. Jan did a promo for S.O. doing forward rolls up to Evert

and got a hug. What I learned was how good gymnastics was as a

developmental sport for a wide range of people.

Then the funding went away and there was the prospect of no gymnastics.

That's when I realized that it took exactly the same time to take Jan

somewhere to be coached for an hour as it did for me to take her

somewhere and do it myself. I taught our " agency-centric " region about

parent coaching. It took a while, but " wow " did it work. I developed a

totally different relationship with Jan. Parents are " in charge " .

Coaches are not. We learned to work together, although sometimes the

first five minutes of practice were a little rough until we both worked

it out.

Competition was great. That is what we trained for. All the kids I

trained did better in competition than they ever did in practice, but it

was practice where they learned the skills, the coordination, and the

sequencing that would carry them through competition and also help in

life.

For Jan, local meets were usually for show. She seldom had someone who

was real competition. In NY, the state meets in gymnastics were real

competition and she learned a lot about competing. Jan is strong, but

not a natural gymnast. Grace doesn't flow easily as it does from some

of the athletes. She is determined and competitive and willing to

really work in practice.

In 1995 she went to World Games .. and after that she was the only level

3 gymnast in CT. She'd still do well in competition, but it was only

for show. About five years ago she retired. I still hope to get her

back. But then I'm just an old retired coach looking for some of the

great times again. I think she'd again be without peer in the over 30

group.

We never went cross-sports at an even because what we were doing was

intense enough. Jan has competed in alpine skiing, gymnastics, and

swimming. I prefer the first two, but those are the ones I coached.

S.O. may be delivered to you. You might also consider making it your

own and fixing it where it is broken. The national/international

organization is great, but the real basic stuff is right at the bottom.

Congratulations, of course, to Kaitlyn. She clearly was awesome.

Rick .. dad to retired gymnast Jan (31) .. post AML .. we hope

I'm also in our region's coaches hall of fame!

[Guest guest]

The place to start is the phone book. They may be listed locally. The

next place is the web where you can get a contact for your state or

local S.O. organization.

There someone can both tell you what is available, but also what

paperwork needs to be filled out. The program can be aligned with the

school or with any number of other organizations and agencies in the

community.

The amount of paperwork needed varies from state to state and from sport

to sport. I am not up to date on the paperwork since it's been almost a

decade since I have done any significant coaching.

I favor sports that have a strong training program that makes

significant strides in physical development and help with gross motor

control. Going out without much training to run in a race or take part

in softball throw does not meet my standard for what most of our kids

need. I was involved in gymnastics and alpine skiing and my athletes

did a lot of practice (and got a good feeling about themselves even at

practice). The competition brings other things, but it is much more

meaningful when there has been real training.

Jan, for instance, has done bowling. No one ever trained her for that

and she has never gotten into being a better bowler, which she certainly

could have learned a lot in. On the other hand, her one season of

basketball was really good, partly because she is self-motivated to go

outside and shoot baskets.

Rick .. Dad to Jan .. 31 and currently retired from SO

[Guest guest]

Rick, I am so glad that you brought this subject up. There are more parent

coaches out there than there used to be. I am trained as a coach (basic) but

have yet to get any specific sports. I usually chaperone events though. My dh

, is certified in softball, swimming, bowling, basketball, soccer, and

track. He has yet to get much help or support for anything except bowling and

swimming. If any parents out there are interested in coaching (or anyone in

your community that is old enough), let them know how much fun it is and how

rewarding it is to help kids stay fit. I loved Hawaii's year round program that

really focused on fitness and skills that the kids could use all their lives.

and his best friend have a swim meet at the YMCA this evening with

the regular team. Kids with DS have lower metabolic rates than the general

public and getting them into a fitness regimen is very important. If we didn't

keep busy, he'd watch videos and eat all day.

Elaine

re: Special Olympics

I guess I've put in my time in S.O. regional and state games. In the

end, I came away thinking of the competitions only as the icing on the

cake. So much of the value in Special Olympics comes from the training.

When I first took Jan to S.O., she had no formal training (nor did

anyone there). She was so cute! There were no formal routines and when

she got out onto the gymnastics mat she just stood there. Then,

prompted by me she did a summersault and got a big hand. She just kept

going on after that.

A year later S.O. got funding from a bank for a gymnastics team. Again

it was pretty haphazard. Jan was the mascot by 5 years and probably the

best gymnast, but I just watched for three years as this incredible mix

of people improved their gross motor control and self image with this

program. Jan did a promo for S.O. doing forward rolls up to Evert

and got a hug. What I learned was how good gymnastics was as a

developmental sport for a wide range of people.

Then the funding went away and there was the prospect of no gymnastics.

That's when I realized that it took exactly the same time to take Jan

somewhere to be coached for an hour as it did for me to take her

somewhere and do it myself. I taught our " agency-centric " region about

parent coaching. It took a while, but " wow " did it work. I developed a

totally different relationship with Jan. Parents are " in charge " .

Coaches are not. We learned to work together, although sometimes the

first five minutes of practice were a little rough until we both worked

it out.

Competition was great. That is what we trained for. All the kids I

trained did better in competition than they ever did in practice, but it

was practice where they learned the skills, the coordination, and the

sequencing that would carry them through competition and also help in

life.

For Jan, local meets were usually for show. She seldom had someone who

was real competition. In NY, the state meets in gymnastics were real

competition and she learned a lot about competing. Jan is strong, but

not a natural gymnast. Grace doesn't flow easily as it does from some

of the athletes. She is determined and competitive and willing to

really work in practice.

In 1995 she went to World Games .. and after that she was the only level

3 gymnast in CT. She'd still do well in competition, but it was only

for show. About five years ago she retired. I still hope to get her

back. But then I'm just an old retired coach looking for some of the

great times again. I think she'd again be without peer in the over 30

group.

We never went cross-sports at an even because what we were doing was

intense enough. Jan has competed in alpine skiing, gymnastics, and

swimming. I prefer the first two, but those are the ones I coached.

S.O. may be delivered to you. You might also consider making it your

own and fixing it where it is broken. The national/international

organization is great, but the real basic stuff is right at the bottom.

Congratulations, of course, to Kaitlyn. She clearly was awesome.

Rick .. dad to retired gymnast Jan (31) .. post AML .. we hope

I'm also in our region's coaches hall of fame!

Click reply to all for messages to go to the list. Just hit reply for

messages to go to the sender of the message.

[Guest guest]

Kudos for !!!I can't imagine how proud you are of him. Keep up the good

job . And keep up the good work mom!

Loree

[Guest guest]

Hey Kym,

Maverick is up there at ASU for the State Olympics!!!! Remember 2 years ago we

met at the mall afterwards?

I couldn't go this year because the other kids have baseball games and we would

have missed 4 games and a practice.. but is with him.. he always goes as a

chaparone with the school.

Anyway, Mav got a gold medal in his 400 meter relay and and a gold medal in the

400 meter 4 man relay. This morning he is doing the running long jump.. I'm

waiting for the call. This is not his strongest event so I'm not expecting

another medal.. but he has fun.

A REALLY cool thing is on Thursday, before they went to Phoenix, the torch ran

through our area. This year they chose some of the athletes from the school to

run 1/2 mile with it and Mav was one of the athletes chosen. It was really

cool.. being led by police cars and police bikes and all.

They get home tonight in time to jump into baseball uniforms and head out to

play their games. LOL.

Next year will be signed up to participate in the Senior Sp. O so we'll

have 2 competing!

[Guest guest]

That is so cool! I didn't even know they did the torch or anything. This

is our first year.

Congrats, Mav!

Kym

Re: Special Olympics

Hey Kym,

Maverick is up there at ASU for the State Olympics!!!! Remember 2 years

ago we met at the mall afterwards?

I couldn't go this year because the other kids have baseball games and we

would have missed 4 games and a practice.. but is with him.. he always

goes as a chaparone with the school.

Anyway, Mav got a gold medal in his 400 meter relay and and a gold medal in

the 400 meter 4 man relay. This morning he is doing the running long

jump.. I'm waiting for the call. This is not his strongest event so I'm not

expecting another medal.. but he has fun.

A REALLY cool thing is on Thursday, before they went to Phoenix, the torch

ran through our area. This year they chose some of the athletes from the

school to run 1/2 mile with it and Mav was one of the athletes chosen. It

was really cool.. being led by police cars and police bikes and all.

They get home tonight in time to jump into baseball uniforms and head out to

play their games. LOL.

Next year will be signed up to participate in the Senior Sp. O so

we'll have 2 competing!

[Guest guest]

My also won a Gold medal at todays games to qualify for state which was

held at North Central College in Naperville. He is a strong runner and has

really won this event every year, and won at state every year as well.

He woke up smiling and laughing, and happy as a clam to be able to go run his

race. About 15 minutes before his race started, he got a migraine headache. He

ran anyways because of coarse he trains year round for this season and this is

the big meet to qualify for state. He runs the 3000m and his event is 8 laps

around the track! His Motrin never kicked in he was losing his mind during and

after the race and then we ended up about 1.5 hour later, in the ER for some IV

meds.

I am so proud of him to be able to run like that, and still pull off the GOLD.