The Young Athletes Programme changing lives
Yohanan and his family are involved in the Hutt Valley Young Athlete’s Programme – a free weekend activity developed for children with intellectual disabilities. Yohanan’s parents had been searching for some time for a programme that their son could enjoy alongside those who understood that he may do things differently than others around him.
The team is privileged to work with many people like Yohanan and his family and see the benefits of being involved with Special Olympics programmes that are run at clubs, schools and communities right around the country each year.
Your support means that we can continue to provide opportunities for our community and expand our programmes so that no one misses out!
This is Yohanan and his family's story;
Yohanan’s Story
“There are lots of fun things to do! It’s super-duper cool. There are obstacle courses, kicking, striking & my favourite - parachutes!”
From a young age, Yohanan didn’t want to go to play centres or playgrounds while other kids were playing. He would sit and watch the other children play but insisted on waiting for everyone to leave for his turn to use the equipment. His parents noticed his development begin to lag behind children of his same age group.
Having joined the Young Athlete’s Programme, Yohanan now feels relaxed at the sessions and has even begun a routine of helping Rachel set up the equipment for the activities. At home he has set up his own obstacle courses to practice the skills introduced in the programme! He listens, observes and picks up new skills quickly and plays more with others.
Mum and Dad’s Story
“As a family, we have benefited greatly from our weekly athletics sessions. It is the highlight of our week to get together with the other families as our little athletes play and learn alongside one another. It is an incredible feeling to look around the room at the many other faces and feel like we all have a place where we are warmly welcomed and belong because everyone is included.
It is hard to find others who understand the difficulties and differences we experience daily as parents of an autistic child. However, from our first term with Special Olympics, we felt a sense of belonging and support from Rachel and the other parents.
I was aware of the amazing things that the Special Olympics provided adult athletes, but I didn’t know about the children’s programme. Honestly, we wish we had heard of their youth programme much sooner! We are truly grateful to have this opportunity and hope it grows to impact many other families in our community as well.”
Rachel’s Story (Young Athlete Programme Co-ordinator)
The benefits of the Young Athlete’s Programme go beyond sport. The kids get to spend valuable time with their parents or caregivers, all the while learning, developing, and accomplishing new skills. What impacts me is seeing the young athletes comfortable to be themselves, communicating and participating in ways that work for them.
I also love seeing parents play with their child, laughing, smiling, and sharing eye contact. I've noticed that parents physically relax as they watch their child become more confident, independent, and competent. Families are often met with judgement in many aspects of their daily lives, but the Young Athlete’s Programme connects parents with other families who understand the joys and challenges they experience every day. This inclusive and non-judgemental environment is truly something special!
