Sense of Humor

One of the reasons I love the Y is because of the relationships I form simply by being on an exercise machine next to someone, looking like I need help and someone assists, or being in the locker room at the same time every day. Such is a relationship of fun and teasing that I’ve developed with the Graeffs.

In 1998, when Eileen Graeff retired, she went shopping for a fitness center where she could not only keep herself physically fit, but also a place where she could make friends and build a community of support for herself and her husband Bill.

Eileen and Bill visited several different fitness centers and they liked the way the Dancel Family Center Y in Ellicott City “felt” best out of all their visits. It felt like more than a gym – they got “good vibes.” It felt like a place where they would be not only welcomed, but also supported and embraced. They saw people talking to each other and being nice.

At the beginning, The Graeffs participated only in Aquasize classes before eventually branching out to other activities in the center. Today they enjoy the company of the people in their first Aquasize class as well as other members and employees. One such employee is Kathy Klein. Kathy works in the Fitness Center. “You hear her before you see her” they share. “She has a laugh that makes you laugh!!” And Kathy has the same feelings for the Graeffs. A native of Canada, she refers to the Graeffs as her American family.

Sherri Hendrix, a member of the Y, knows that she can count on seeing Eileen and Bill on the treadmill or on a bicycle – always with a book. Neither of them are ever too involved to give a look and deliver a very pleasant “Hello, how are you today?” Sherri considers them very special friends.

The Graeffs have remained consistent members at the Y through many of life’s hurdles.

In 2008 Eileen had breast cancer and came through chemo with no problems. She attributes this to staying fit and keeping her life as “normal” as possible through the healing process.

Bill had a hip replacement and then… Eileen broke her arm!! Before her arm was healed, Bill fell on ice broke his other hip!! As soon as they were able, the Graeffs were back at the Y working out in their normal workout routine.

Katy, who works at the front desk of the Dancel Family Center Y, loves their attitude, friendliness, Bill’s teasing (do you hear a reoccurring theme here?), and says she could go on and on about the positive attributes of Bill and Eileen.

I look forward to Eileen’s pleasant “Hello” and Bill’s sarcasm, even when he’s splashing me from his Arthritis class while I’m taking a swim lesson!!

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

Finding a New Passion!

I have a friend, Michelle, whose life is interesting – she has a husband with an extremely demanding and time consuming job. A son, Jackson, who is nine, extremely loyal to his family, loves beaches and outdoor activities and has every support need possible. He needs support to eat, drink, dress, etc. He also has seizures about every 15 minutes. Michelle’s second child is Chloe. She is six and very very spirited. She loves to ask lots and lots of questions, loves shoes and is five going on 19. The last of Michelle’s children is Haley. Haley loves to give the thumbs up, has a contagious smile, is four and happens to have an extra chromosome – commonly known as Down syndrome.

Michelle called one day to ask if I would do the Iron Girl (a swim, bike, run triathlon) with her. I had no idea what is was, but replied, “Absolutely” – which is how I respond to anything Michelle asks me. I didn’t have a bathing suit or a bike. Last year was my first Iron Girl and I fell in love with the event.

I thank Michelle for the wonderful gift she gave me. I also thank the Y staff who coached me along all through my training – encouraged me to stay on the treadmill when I wanted to get out, urged me back into the pool when I thought I was done and who cleared lanes for me to practice when the pool was full. The Y staff and members listened to my fears and encouraged me – they were even there the day of the event. Without Michelle’s invitation and the Y family’s encouragement and support, I would not have discovered this new passion!!

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

Beverly, Eleanor, & Marva – Examples for all of us

I teach strength training, and for the last five years Beverly, Eleanor, and Marva have been attending my class. I aspire to grow as a person and be just like them!!

These three women have many qualities that I admire. You would never know that they are attending class together because they spend their “free” time sharing what they know with other students. They provide positive support when someone is struggling, and share their own “journey” to becoming comfortable in class. They introduce themselves to new students, and always try to make them feel welcomed. Another quality I admire about these three women is that they schedule time to workout together in the fitness room. They believe that because they set aside a specific “date” to meet, it helps them to stay on a fitness routine and spend quality time with friends.

They often express how grateful they are for what they have, including their health and their families. They are always pleasant, have a great sense of humor and such a joy to see at the Y. Beverly, Eleanor, Marva – thank you for the example.

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

Body Pump Off and Running!

Body Pump is off and running - - - and popular!!! So popular that members wait in line to get a ticket for the session. Some of the members wait as long as 30 minutes in line. Rather than complaining about the wait, one of the members suggested that as members come in the front door, they sign in that they want a ticket for class and then they can work out instead of waiting – what an effective approach – solution focused and a great idea.

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

My First Marathon!

I recently ran my first marathon! I can still remember when a mile was so hard for me to do – I never imagined I’d be doing a marathon. I didn’t get there over night and I didn’t get across the finish line alone. With all the snow this winter, I did most of my training on the treadmill in the Y. Staff and member began to notice my patter and long run days. They would stop by, ask about my training, make sure I had water and nourishment, and encourage me. The coolest part about completing the marathon was all of the excitement from the staff and members at the Y the first day back after the marathon – they were more excited than I was!!

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

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

Swimming with the Situation!

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving my sons and I went to the Y for an early morning swim. Not remembering that it was the day before a holiday and many people have off from work, we were surprised to find both pools were full. I entered the pool first by myself and immediately the life guard on duty, Marcus, approached me to ask if I’d be willing to swim in a circle because the lanes were full. I told him that I’d be happy to swim in a circle, but there were three of us. He told me he’d try to find somewhere for all of us to swim but that we probably couldn’t swim together. I shared the ages of my sons (teenagers) and concerns that some of the swimmers might not like to swim with them and that we would try and find another activity in the building to do. He asked me to sit on bleachers and give him a few minutes.

I was so impressed that he knew the regular swimmers’ routines and attitudes and in less than five minutes he had a lane available for the three of us. He not only did this for us, but for every person that entered the pool!

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