Many children are finding a lifetime of skills in fun activities that get them out and moving. In this article, we look at three programs where children of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities are exercising, having fun, and learning life skills along the way.
Rainbow’s END
Stephany Jenkins founded Rainbow’s END (Enabled Not Disabled) after two of her physical therapy patients, Molly McGeehan and Christopher Tritch, asked if a swim team for special needs children could be started. After a lot of planning and hard work, the dream became a reality. In 2000, six students, along with their personal instructors, splashed in the water for the first time. Today, 33 volunteers swim alongside the class of 27 swimmers of all different needs and abilities.
Rainbow’s END nurtures positive self-image and working with others. It also challenges children to overcome limits and boundaries. Center Grove resident Nikki Miller agreed. “Our daughter, Sydney, wants to be like everyone else and feel included. Here, it doesn’t matter what special need these children have. These swimmers are all equal,” Miller said with a smile. “Sydney enjoys swimming, the camaraderie, the swim meets, and the awards banquet. The swimming program has allowed Sydney to have pride in her accomplishments and boost her self- esteem.”
The organization’s philosophy is a come-out-and-try-it approach. If it doesn’t seem to work after the first class, the student does not have to commit to the program. Rainbow’s END teaches taekwondo, biking, dancing, kite flying, swimming, and running. “Our focus is to provide individual sports that can be used for a lifetime,” Jenkins said. “For instance, our newest class, Lose the Training Wheels in Five Days, has given many families the chance to bike together for the first time.”
Rainbow’s END changes lives. It teaches and gives a gift that helps the student’s mind, body, and spirit … every step of the way.
If you would like more information on Rainbow’s END, please contact Stephany Jenkins at mturtle22@sbcglobal.net.
TFL Kids
Another program engaged in supporting the whole being is The Gathering Place’s Totally Fit Life (TFL). This program utilizes biblical scripture verses to help in the transformation of six fitness behaviors: Spiritual, physical, nutritional, mental, emotional, and directional. This approach brings about healthy relationships, spiritual growth, and living a purpose-filled life.
“The kid’s program is a simplified version of this approach,” said Pam Mroz, fitness director of The Gathering Place. “We use a lot of encouragement, and we make it fun.” Every Monday and Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., TFL Kids serves the needs of home-schooled children, ages 7-12.
During my visit, the 45-minute class mixed cardio exercises with kid-sized hydraulic resistance machines. The cardio activities were fun – and sometimes outright hilarious. For instance, after stretching, the children were taught a team sport called noodle hockey. Each player was equipped with a swimming noodle for a stick and told to get the ball to their team’s net. However, the children found out the sticks didn’t want to cooperate — they kept bending. Giggles could be heard from both sides of the court. They did eventually figure it out.
After the team time, the children went upstairs to work out on the resistance equipment. Mroz explained that the equipment allows for all strength levels. Each child worked with an instructor to know the appropriate positioning for each machine. Once each child had rotated and practiced on all seven machines, they gathered in a circle for prayer and devotions.
At the end of class, I asked Rachel Horn, one of the students, what she wanted other children to know about this class. “You will grow. You will reach your goals. God made us all different. We just need to be humble and patient. Come have fun … join in!”
For more information on the program or if you’re interested in starting an afternoon TFL Kids, please contact fitness director Pam Mroz at pmroz@ccgonline.org or call 317-884-0531, x297.
Special Olympics of Johnson County
Stories of children reaching a milestone are shared every day at the Special Olympics of Johnson County (SOJC). Fun activities guide their programs. This organization has many opportunities for a child with intellectual disabilities. Starting at age two, parents can take advantage of Play Skills, a unique program run by therapists who begin introducing sports skills to the children.
Once a child turns eight, SOJC suggests a child goes through the class called Testing Recreational Activities and Improving Nutrition. “This class helps discover a child’s strengths and weaknesses. With this information, the parents can help guide their child into a sport that better suits them,” said SOJCCounty Coordinator Rita Abell.
Special Olympics provides year-round training and athletic competition in a variety of sports, explained Rita. Presently the organization is hosting basketball and cheerleading. Starting in March, swimming, along with track and field, will be on the roster. “Becoming a coach for the SOJC was a very eye-opening experience for me. These athletes blow me away with their determination to learn,” said Center Grove teacher and SOJC Swim Coach Samantha Dikeman. “They share their abilities, not their disabilities. We all have fun.”
If you would like more information about SOJC or its programs, please contact Special Olympics Johnson County coordinator Rita Abell at abellr@sbcglobal.net or call 317-889-0435.
Tonja Talley has called Center Grove home since 1993. An 11-year bi-lateral lung transplant survivor, Tonja enjoys speaking on behalf of the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization. She also volunteers for the CF Foundation, byTavi, and her church.
