Continuing in the vein of "how does the story end" (Jan 2019) #1 and #2 continue to mature and achieve. It would have been a great comfort 17 years ago to see #1 vault the 36" box jump at our family CrossFit Box. I didn't think he could jump that high. Wrong.
I guess I gave away the story there. After about a year of working with a personal trainer who is also a CrossFit coach #1 joined my box. He has done better than my fondest hope. Not least because coaches have hit just the right tone ... friendly, supportive, but also treating him much like every other adult. Same for our athletes. The power of expectations is hard to overstate.
And ... special hockey volunteer, plays adult rec hockey with me, works with and rides horses, special olympics snowboarding, power lifting, golf, summer bicycling, works two part-time jobs ...
#2 had his best grade ever on a college exam. His studying is better. Started working in a minimum wage job filling popcorn bags but tells me he doesn't mind the boring work, likes using his hands, likes the money. Managed a challenging problem while working with a supportive teacher that would have melted him a year ago. Taken on a mentoring and support role with his special hockey colleagues. Continues his Tae Kwon Do training.
Both gentlemen are a pleasure to be with.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Twin Cities facility for special needs strength and fitness training
(I copied this over from my shares feed as it fits better here).
My #1 is doing their special Olympics strength training at Built on Bravery, located at the Mendota Height MN Lions United Fitness Center (map):
The Star Tribune did an interview with the founder:
There is a big unmet need for health and fitness support of special needs teens and adults. Diets are often worse than average and there are few welcoming places to go. (Several CrossFit gyms are welcoming, but that's a big climb. This facility has grant support.)
We need more like this!
My #1 is doing their special Olympics strength training at Built on Bravery, located at the Mendota Height MN Lions United Fitness Center (map):
... Lions United is a new kind of training center, designed specifically to prepare people with disabilities for exceptional performance in individual competitions, team sports and life, especially people with autism, down syndrome and cerebral palsy. We’re dedicated to Special Olympics’ Project UNIFY and Unified Sports®, which means we bring people of all abilities together to strengthen individuals, relationships and communities....This new facility is first in Minnesota to focus on persons with cognitive disabilities.
The Star Tribune did an interview with the founder:
Q: Membership fees and hours?I think there may also be family memberships.
A: Twenty dollars a month for people with special needs; $40 a month for others. We’ll also have an incentive program where any member can receive up to $20 a month through their insurance. Staffed hours are Monday-Thursday, 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. But members will have 24-hour access.
There is a big unmet need for health and fitness support of special needs teens and adults. Diets are often worse than average and there are few welcoming places to go. (Several CrossFit gyms are welcoming, but that's a big climb. This facility has grant support.)
We need more like this!
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