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

Devotions at Y Nationals in Memory of Emily Schindler

My name is Ken Barsa and I currently work with the Y of Central Maryland as a STEM Project Director. Having only been employed for 7 months in this position, I wanted to relay a story from back when I was coaching swimming for the Anne Arundel Y (SPY Swimming) where I taught and dealt with swimmers of all ages. This is a devotion read by myself at Y National Championships the last day of competition, April 8, 2004.

Good Morning. I’m sure some of you have noticed our team shirts, our PINK shirts. The quote on our shirt says, “I Swim cuz I’m 2 sexy to play a sport that requires clothes.” This quote is from a former SPY swimmer and it was in her yearbook her senior year. Emily did not have the talent of the swimmers here today, but she was a young girl that came to practice each and every day and worked hard. Emily never made it to Y Nats, never made it to Florida, never made it to Short Course. Unfortunately, and tragically, Emily Schindler was killed in a car accident two months ago. Over half her life had been spent with Y swimming. I would like now to read her devotion she gave at our Winterfest swim meet January of 2003 before she passed on.

Because the currents of life pull, push, and suck us along, being strong swimmers is of vital importance. We must become certified “lifeguards” if we are to help ourselves and others remain afloat and safe. Without these skills, we fall prey to the ever-shifting moods of the rivers in which we paddle.

Without our swimming, we would be stranded in a river of wake. Everything we have learned through swimming has helped us to paddle through the wake of our lives and helped to keep our faith afloat. Whether it is a friendship that we have struggled through, or a family issue we have had to overcome, we have learned to deal with it through our swimming. The intense friendships and relationships we have with our coaches have taught us how to become good friends and to learn respect for others.

Every day I wake up, I thank the Lord that I am able to get up and swim with some of the most amazing swimmers and people I have ever met. I’m able to get in the pool with the top 16 swimmers and teammates that have made short course since they were 12. I feel so grateful to my coach for seeing something in me that my times don’t show. So, whenever you feel that it isn’t worth it to get up at 4 in the morning for swim practice, just remember the amazing people you get to see when you get there.

This has been the greatest journey of my life.

Emily, today you made it to Florida in more ways than you ever, ever could have imagined.

Posted by Ken Barsa, Project Director, STEM Initiative, Y of Central Maryland & Carson Scholars Fund

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

Introducing Amy

I'd like to use my first Y blog post to introduce myself. My name is Amy and I've been a Y of Central Maryland staff person and member for 11 years. I started in the late 90's as a Camp Director, became a Program Director and am now the State Director for Maryland Youth and Government (a state-wide teen program). My kids attend preschool and Youth Sports programs at the Dancel Family Center in Ellicott City and I try to work out there four days a week (with an emphasis on the word “try”).

My family LOVES the Y! When I started I thought it was just a job I'd do for a summer and move on, how wrong I was! It didn't take long for me to drink the Y Kool-aid and buy into the values and culture of the whole organization. I credit the Y with my love of summer camping. The helped me find my way in my first professional setting and opened my eyes to all I could do as a trainer and leader of staff. I met my best boss and best employees at the Y. I got healthy, lost weight, learned new things and came into my own as an adult at the Y.

My future blog posts will give you a window into how we experience the Y right now—for me as part of the staff and my family as members. We love it here and I'm excited to watch my kids grow up in the culture I have grown to love.

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

Students Staying Fit

For the last year the Carroll Family Center has partnered with Carroll Community College to provide intramurals for current students. I was fortunate enough to not only implement the program overall but facilitate it week to week. Currently we offer intramurals 3 days a week; soccer, basketball, and volleyball. Knowing how busy the life of a college student can be, I was surprised at how many students were interested in the program and participated weekly. Most of the students played in high school and because Carroll Community College does not offer collegiate sports, they have nowhere to continue, what for most, is a passion.

I think that it is wonderful that as an employee of the Y of Central Maryland I get the chance to give incoming freshmen especially, the opportunity to continue doing something that they love. One student in particular has made it a point to tell me how this program often is the highlight of his day and how it has helped him meet friends and really enjoy his college experience.

Posted by Megan Spencer, Program Director, Carroll County Family Center Y