Small Champions

               Today was my second time volunteering with Small Champions. Small Champions is a wonderful group that allows disabled individuals to become active in our community. The individuals who are involved with Small Champions are incredible and have become a family. The disabilities are diverse. There children with cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism, Asperger’s, and whom are blind; their ages rank from five to twenty.  Some children have some slight development disorders that have stifled their social skills, while others lack all motors skills.

               I, along with student volunteer Max Brunette, were able to ski with Small Champions for the past two Sundays. With each run, we witnessed the children’s level improved immensely. The ski instructors guided each child with patience and compassion and invested confidence and love into every handy-capable individual.

               The instructors ski with the children one on one. Some situations even have two instructors for one child. The ski instructors are very welcoming and patient and have been specifically for Small Champion children. The ski levels vary drastically; some kids are on the magic carpet, while others find themselves on chair 2. A few children with cerebral palsy are in ski wheelchairs, or use ski walkers. One child, Alex, was harnessed onto his ski instructor.

               Last week, I skied with Kayla and Sage. Sage is twenty and is very intrigued with racing down the mountain as fast as she can! This of course was nerve racking for me, but it was great to see her develop a new confidence each time she beat me down the run! It was exciting to see both Kayla and Sage ski; they’re very entertaining and fed off of each other’s skiing successes!

               Both Sundays, Small Champions ate lunch as a group. Here, my experience and knowledge from Nicaragua helped me tremendously. Over a thirty minute period, I met twenty children, all with unique situations and disabilities. I never felt out of place as I was meeting the kids, their instructors, and their parents. It was an amazing thing, I really felt comfortable and at home with the children.

               Today, I skied with Patty Grace and I also got to spend time with her sister, Gretta. Patty has come so far and it was truly heart-warming to see her ski and then get on a chairlift. Today was the first time Patty got on a chair lift this season!

               I also met Henry and Caden today.  Henry has Down Syndrome and Caden is blind in one eye. This is Henry’s second season skiing and he is progressing at unbelievable rates. He is very smart and has amazing, inviting social skills. He never hesitated when his instructor asked him to do something and wasn’t doubtful of himself while skiing. Caden is hilarious. He loves attention and encourages everyone to hear is very funny stories. Today, Caden went down the race course IN FRONT of his guide for the first time. It was a huge mile stone for him, and it was an honor of mine to share it with him.

               I’m so happy that I started volunteering with Small Champions. It is an wondrous group and has beautiful children. I look forward to again skiing with them!