Today concluded our first Mini-milers program. For the past six weeks, fifteen children with various disabilities gathered together to run laps around a track with fifteen or more high school mentors assisting and encouraging them each step of the way. Over the month and a half, every child increased the distance they covered and the group collectively improved from 123 laps the first week to 161 laps today. The courage, strength, and resiliency these kids show is Olympic and inspiring. After the final steps on the track were taken, each child received a medal and a certificate of completion from Run Vermont and Kayla's Directory to bring home. We concluded the session as usual with the children sitting in a circle to receive a well-earned and eagerly anticipated snack. As a special treat this week, Leonardo's generously donated several delicious pizzas which the children consumed with great delight. We cannot thank them … [Read more...]
Local Fitness Center Delivers to Community
Even if you are not one of The Edge Sports and Fitness Club's 8,000 members, chances are you have heard of them. They have five different locations in Chittenden County, each providing the typical fitness club array of cardiovascular machines, weight machines, and free weights, and four of their facilities have pools. Edge Sports and Fitness complements their facilities with a vast assortment of programs, including those involving yoga, spinning, body pump, aquatic, tennis, and parisi. They also offer nutrition counseling and personal training, and if you want something really more challenging and different, they have an extreme obstacle course at the Kennedy Drive location! What you might not know about The Edge Sports and Fitness Club, however, is how much they do to support the less fortunate in Chittenden County. I only discovered the depth of their involvement after I met Mike Feitelberg, the president of the Edge Sports and … [Read more...]
SkiRack Delivers to Incredible Runners
I would like to thank SkiRack for their continued support of programs for children with special needs. Recently they provided water bottles and stickers for the "Adaptive" Mini-Milers program which were both well received and used by the participants. I have found SkiRack to be an exceptional resource for children with special needs, assisting in finding appropriate shoes for children who are wearing braces on their legs, adapting bikes for children's special needs, and fitting children with skis. Their staff has always exhibited patience and understanding so I cannot recommend them strongly enough. … [Read more...]
Project Prima UVM Dance Ballet = Pure Grace
Graceful. The true meaning of this word is fully embodied during Project Prima. UVM’s ballet club, Ballet Viridis, hosts dance workshops for kids with different abilities- Project Prima ignites. My daughter, Delaney (aka Del), has the opportunity to move her body, connect with peers, and feel the love of these beautiful ballerinas. All are welcome to join the dance, including siblings and friends. These dancers possess an innate ability to share their love of dance with people of all abilities. Del’s physical abilities and movements have been described by professionals as “a series near misses,” which translates to daily bumps and bruises; however, during Project Prima she feels nothing but grace. Katrina Sliwka (Del’s mom) For more information about Project Prima please contact the dancers at balletviridis@gmail.com "Del is an amazing child who has brought things to a new perspective. Friends in the community have started a … [Read more...]
St. Michael’s Women’s Soccer Team Inspires Kids with Special Needs
Although the sun was out this past Sunday, many would have considered it rather brisk if not just plain cold. Spring in Vermont can be that way but it did not discourage over twenty individuals with special needs from enjoying an hour and a half of soccer at St. Michael’s College. The St. Michaels’ women’s soccer team and some players from the men’s team volunteered their time to help all the participants, who ranged from age four to those in their early twenties, have a good time at a program put on by the EDD Fund. The college players divided the younger children from the older children and engaged them in skills and then a scrimmage. The young children were running around, kicking the ball, scoring, and some even practiced goalie skills. All the volunteers displayed incredible spirit, patience, and enthusiasm allowing each participants to engage in soccer to the best of their ability and have an incredible time. All the special … [Read more...]