waiting for the third heat - 50 yard swim, 1/2 mile bike, 1/4 mile run
Time to get in the pool!
WG making the best of it - she was bored
"Swimmers on my mark!"
AB cutting through the water in free style
"ok son, now swim back!"
"you made it! great job!"
On the adaptive bike, his volunteer helper by his side the whole way
fortunately the orthotic group was there so they put on his AFO's for me!
(So nice to get help from a person that doesn't have to be shown how!!!)
Making the turn and good time
Cruising along
Getting ready for the last leg - running
His medal at the finish line
Enjoying a snack and a water after it was all finished
His swim time was1:10, his bike time was 6:57 and his run time was 2:57. The hardest part was waiting for all the other athletes to finish so he could participate in the award ceremony. AB doesn't do waiting. Also, it was hard because the volunteers kept asking if he was OK because he's so stoic at these types of outings and he comes across as having selective mutism. I had to keep saying, "that's just how AB is. He's actually happy and proud of himself. This IS AB being excited." Of course, the instant we were in the van and the doors were closed, he was all gab. *roll eyes* I wanted to drive past the remaining volunteers and athletes with the windows rolled down so they could hear him! lol
All in all, an awesome event and another first for our community. There were over 50 athletes of all ages and all levels of ability. So much fun and so nice to be with only families of impaired youths and adolescents because they get it. They just know. Outside of reassuring everyone that AB was fine despite his flat affect, the rest of the conversations revolved around devices, services, insurance, respite, therapies, techniques, tutorial services, compressions, IEPs, you know, "normal" conversation.
7 comments:
He's such a cute little peanut.
What an accomplishment!
Awesome!
I do hope he's wearing a helmet in those bike pictures, though. I can't tell for sure.
I'm glad that because his disabilities are diagnosed, he's only expected to ride a bike with training wheels and he's okay with riding a bike with training wheels. It really sucks to not just need training wheels at his age, but to also have no idea why you still need them and to be told by your parents that you'd be fine if you just took them off (even though you know you wouldn't).
@ kisekileia - yep, he had on his helmet. his riding helmet, actually because he has a big head and his riding helmet is adjustable. the bike helmets are a hard fit.
he likes his bike and I don't think he ever gives a care about his training wheels. We don't make a big deal about it. We just say, "well, if that's what you need..."
all the other athletes had other equally adaptive bikes, walking and swimming devices so it was "normal"
Awesome!
AB did a great job. I am so proud of him...I always am!!!! Riding helmets are the best! They have more pounds per square inch for safety...better than bike helmets. The newer ones are now up to 900 lbs/sq inch and fully adjustable if you get the ones with the dial in the back. They are also fully padded and have additional padding to add to make a comfortable fit for each individual. Horseback riding helmets are the best I think.
This is incredibly awesome!!! AB doesn't know me from anyone, but I can honestly sit here and say I'm proud of his accomplishment! For being a community first, it sounds like it was beautifully put together.
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