I posted an earlier post about Just For Kicks, and Coach Tom. Well, did that man ever hook me up!
Coach Tom teaches over at JMU. He started a mentoring program for people with disabilities, and one of his students lived further away from campus--closer to my side of town. And he needed a mentee, so Tom asked any of us C'ville folks if we'd like some help getting our kids active and integrated in the community.
HELL TO THE YES!
Jimmy is awesome. Our plan is for him to work with Elena once a week, preferably outdoors, doing something active. My goal was for Elena to build confidence outside and realize that she can have fun (hopefully independently) without having to be on a perfectly flat indoor surface. And to do so without having to have ME around. Now...I'm normally around--but I actually get to spend time with Vivian, or admiring nature, or just having a breath to myself without worrying if E is going to get a massive head injury. I'm not sure what Jimmy's goal is, but I'm sure it has something to do with gross motor skills, confidence, and fostering a love of physical exercise. And to boot, Jimmy is going to help us develop a winter exercise program, since there is a good chance that we'll be indoors more often.
So far, Jimmy and E have played soccer in the side yard and played on the swingset, and we've all gone for a bike ride (last week's trail was ALL HILLS, whoops), and this weekend it's a bike ride (same trail featured in 0.8 miles) with a nature walk inbetween.
I have Jimmy for something like 8 weeks...got any suggestions for outdoor E challenges? Now's the time!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
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5 comments:
Oh, I can't wait to see what you do. We've done so much outdoor work with my favorite PT, who thinks learning in the real world is the only way, and clinic settings are for other folks. I asked what we'd do in winter and he seemed to think I would let my two year old go sledding down a hill and we'd carve steps in the snow so she could climb back up. apparently we have one local disabled access indoor playground, we are saving that for Nov-Dec-Jan.
This mentoring program sounds awesome, I'd like to suggest it at the U of U. You guys are on to something!!
I was going to suggest swimming but that's not really an outdoor activity in October. Hiking can be fun through.....
HI THERE.. I HAVE A FEW THOUGHTS AS MOM AND I WERE READING THIS.. ASK E WHAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO DO.. OR YOU COULD INVITE ONE OF E'S FRIENDS ALONG AND MAYBE THEY COULD KICK A SOCCER BALL BACK AND FOUTH OR PLAY CATCH.. GO ON A WALK TO LOOK FOR PINE CONES TO DECORATE
IT SEEMS THAT E LIKES TO RUN AND MOVE FAST SO JIMMY COULD WORK ON THAT WITH HER...
MELISSA
why not go to a park stomp on a rocket or do a experament outside fun stuff sound like a great opportunity
why not go to a park stomp on a rocket or do a experament outside fun stuff sound like a great opportunity
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