Just Like Every Other Kid

My son, Alex has Down syndrome. Activities that are easy and taken for granted by other families are more difficult for us to access because of Alex’s disability.

When attempting to participate in community programs we are often referred to “a special program” or a program that accepts “kids like those”. We don’t want to be special, we want to be just like other families. The Y has embraced our family. Rather than welcome the typical members of our family and segregate Alex, at the Y we are integrated like every other family. Alex participates in swimming lessons, childcare, camp – every aspect of the Y that is available to typical children with typical children. Never once has anyone ever suggested that he participate in “special program” or a “program designed especially for special children”. Our children (we have four) want to share their experiences with each other like other sisters and brothers. They want to give high fives when a younger sibling has a favorite swimming instructor an older sibling had. They want to tease their younger siblings when they get the camp councilor that insists you finish your lunch.

If you have ever had a child in a swimming class then you know the “biggest fear” of swimming lessons – if you haven’t had a child in a swimming class, - it’s poop in the pool. During one of Alex’s swimming lesson, I noticed that the pool beginning to clear out – the first sign of poop in the pool. I got a big lump in my throat – and started to pray - please God, please, don’t let it be my kid. My heart sank when the swim instructor walked towards me. I looked behind me to see if there was any one behind me – no – she was headed to me. My heart began to beat hard, my eyes filled up tears. I was sure this would be our last swimming lesson. Surely they would ask that Alex not return. It had happened to us so many other places and so many other times. But that wasn’t what happened. Instead the swim instructor informed me that Alex had left a “gift” in the pool. Before I could say another word, she went on to say that he wasn’t the first child to do it and she was sure he wouldn’t be the last child to do it.* She then turned to Alex, patted him on the head and said “see you next week buddy”. And he’s been back every week since. My kid was like every other kid at the Y!!!

* The Y of Central Maryland treats pool accidents immediately with appropriate sanitary measures.

Posted by Jessica Pearsall, Fitness Instructor, Dancel Family Center Y

Check the Calendar

It’s the beginning of the month and in the pre-school, we get a handy little newsletter with all the key dates for the respective classes. It’s hard to remember, but it’s critical to put those dates in my Outlook calendar.

This month, there’s a PJ/movie day, mix-match day, show and tell, etc. I’ve been a Y parent long enough to know that I’d BETTER be on top of that schedule. You wouldn’t believe the water works when my kid shows up NOT in pajamas, a princess costume, or with crazy hair. I’ve gone home, gone to the store, gone crazy, trying to make a workaround for a forgotten theme day.

If I’m honest, I’d say that SHE really should be on top of this schedule herself. She’s old enough. The Y has a challenging academic program, so she knows the days of the week. It’s more important to her than it is to me- or is it?

I LOVE her school, her teachers, her classmates. I WANT her to get the full classroom experience and that includes the theme days, show and tell, homework and all the other stuff that’s miserable to remember when we’re running out of the house late in the morning. I get a kick out of her evening re-caps of what everyone wore, said, and did during the day.

So ultimately, where does that leave me? It leaves me with a massive calendar which includes work, personal, exercise, and play-dates. Every now and again, a weekday appointment pops up which says “PJs”…and I wish it was meant for me!

Posted by Angie P. Kirk, Y Preschooler Parent

Youth and Government

My current position at the Y of Central Maryland is to oversee a teen program called Youth and Government. The program models the Maryland state legislature and gives high school students the opportunity to learn by participating in actual elections, bill writing and debate. Delegation meetings take place in Ys and schools all over the state and range in size from less than 10 to almost 40 students. In their delegation meetings students learn to research and write a bill, the rules of parliamentary procedure and how to properly debate. We meet together for a pre-legislative session where the students read and rank their bills, elect committee chairs and elect their officials. Then in April we head to Annapolis for three days where the students use the actual Maryland State House facilities to debate their bills. The Youth Governor and Lt. Governor take on great responsibility in leading the program as do the other elected officials, cabinet members and committee chairs.

I have been involved with Youth and Government for a number of years and each year I continue to be amazed at the level of professionalism and responsibility the students show during the program. As advisors and adults we could never do for them what they are able to do for the program.

While in Annapolis for the Legislative Session the Youth Lt. Governor hosts a banquet. Parents, school principals, Y directors and CEO's join us at the Lowes Hotel for dinner and awards. This year we are honored to have Governor O'Malley scheduled as the keynote speaker.

Please contact me if you or someone you know is interested in the Youth and Government program. Our registration is closed for this year but there are delegations all over the state that would love to have additional members in 2010-2011. If you are interested or want to know more, please contact me at amymaloy@ymaryland.org.

Posted by Amy Maloy, State Director, MD Youth and Government, Y of Central Maryland