Kayla’s Directory recently started a 6-week “Successful Skating” program partnered through Full Strides of South Burlington. We realized that we would need a head coach who was not only great at teaching skating, but someone who was going to have a lot of patience, compassion, and stamina. Robin Hall came to our rescue!
Robin was Kelcie’s (our oldest daughter) hockey coach eight years ago. I remember it vividly, as Kayla had only just been born. Here I was toting Kelcie’s hockey bag in one arm and Kayla in the other. We would spend 2-3 days a week at the rink, always with Kayla in tow. This was a time before we even knew what lay in store regarding Kayla. But what I recall more vividly was the patience, compassion, and commitment that Robin provided while coaching her team.
Fast forward to now and here is Robin back on the ice, now teaching six other children, including Kayla, the art of skating. When I approached Robin about skating lessons for children with special needs, she willingly said she would love to help. Now, teaching your neurotypical kids to skate is one thing; teaching children with special needs brings a whole new dimension. But Robin was up to the challenge.
Six kids: one with down syndrome, one with visual impairment, four kids on the spectrum, plus various other disabilities on the ice at the same time. Stamina, attention span, muscular strength, overstimulation, noise sensitivity, lack of coordination all played into the dynamics. Robin showed compassion and a lot of patience during the first class, especially with my child who was having a complete meltdown in front of her. She engaged with each child and their parents, provided positive feedback to each skater, and was friendly and calm when a child was upset. She handled this enormous challenge with ease!
As I have said in most of my posts, community involvement is vital to helping children with special needs and their families feel like they belong. It can be a very isolating world raising a child who has special needs. Families and children need to feel supported and included. It also takes compassionate individuals to work with these children. Thank you Robin for volunteering your time and energy to making a difference for these children and their families. The smiles on their faces says it all!