Our “Successful Skating” program is wrapped up its first session this week. It is always a bitter-sweet time for me. I hate to see the program wrap-up and stop seeing the weekly progress that the kids make. I absolutely love this program and all the people who participate: the staff at Full Stride, the community mentors, the children who skate, and the parents who bring their children. The program has truly transformed into a community that is in full support of children who have special needs and their families.
Regardless of their disability, these kids show up once a week to get on the ice. For many of them, it is a challenge just to get skates on and walk. Many of the children experience extreme muscle fatigue, some lack motor coordination, and a few are very sensitive to noise. But that doesn’t stop them from trying to skate week after week. Whether they are being pushed in a chair, using an ice-walker, holding onto someone’s hand, or skating independently, all 8 children are on the ice.
The one thing I have learned about children with special needs is that they are resilient. They might struggle, get upset, or be scared with the obstacles that they face, but they rise to the challenge put in front of them. Every Wednesday at 4:30 that resiliency is on the ice at Cairns.
Make sure to check out a video of our skaters.