Comments on: Trepidation and Treadmills

By: An Evening Swim at the Y

An Evening Swim at the Y — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:07:00 +0000

[...] it’s often frustrating trying to find some time at our YMCA pool for Charlie to swim in—-because, in the late afternoon and evening, the pools are primarily [...]

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:54:24 +0000

I wonder if Charlie would like an elliptical machine? The motion seems to me to be similar to pedaling a bike. Maybe he didn’t take to the exercise bike because he’s used to a bicycle going somewhere? Just a few thoughts.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 04:08:16 +0000

I just don’t think we’ll try the elliptical, just yet!

@mamacate,
Half-days often seem just long enough, yet too short—may as well just have a full day at school for all the effort! Hope your son made it through today ok and many welcomes—-

That John Donne verse was ringing in my ears and also another literary-philosophical-phrase: Fear and Trembling.

@Shawn3k, I think I need to take some notes about that YMCA program you mention…….

@Jen,
And we also have to throw in Chinese New Year…..

@Linda,
Being on the treadmill beside Charlie took the notion of “walking together” into a new direction!

By: TomsMom

TomsMom — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:38:00 +0000

That’s what I call turning lemons into lemonade –good for you, Kristina!

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

By: mamacate

mamacate — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:17:04 +0000

I spent the morning dealing with an off-balance 6-year-old aspie boy facing a half-day at school. Going over a visual schedule helped so much more than I expected it to–even I am sometimes fooled by the “HF” label–in fact, I see so many similarities when I read about your Charlie.

We’ve just been diagnosed, just started reading this blog and I just wanted to give thanks. Reading your thoughtful posts, knowing you’ve found your way through much of what we’re struggling with (school restraints, behavior as communication, finding good providers) is enormously encouraging. To add Donne to the mix in the context of the earthquake of a YMCA pool schedule change? Transcendent.

Thank you.

By: Shawn3k

Shawn3k — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:29:08 +0000

Our Y has a staff of young college kids (most studying go into the field of special ed, rec./occ. therapy, etc) who work with a varying group of special needs teens. Some have Autism or Downs, some have some unspecified chromosomal disorders and one has a traumatic brain injury.

They come to our Y after school each day, where this special group of Y staff work with them till Mom or Dad can pick them up after school. They have a snack, maybe do a craft, go in the gym for free play/exercise…or those that can go into the fitness center where they all walk on the treadmill.

Exercise is important, it gives these teens a much needed release of stress after a day at school – as well as the benefit of physical activity.

I’m glad to hear Charlie tried something new and enjoyed it!

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:35:51 +0000

Necessity is the mother of invention. Quick thinking and hopefully treadmills can be part of a new non-swimming routine.

Good for you for persevering.

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:53:55 +0000

Neat idea- I hadn’t even thought of taking the girls to a gym. Rachel’s class went on a field trip to a fitness centre a couple of weeks ago (her teacher is very up on exposing the kids to everything in the community that he can think of, and this gym is extremely welcoming to adults with special needs), but it hadn’t occurred to me to see if my kids would like the gym equipment. Sometimes the obvious has to beat you over the head before you recognize it.

Good luck with the holidays! My kids all seem to be obsessed with this time of year- we have their birthday the same time as Canadian Thanksgiving in October, my husband’s birthday, American thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years, and God help me if I don’t go all out for all of them.