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Posted By Mary Grunmeier on January 30, 2001 at 21:53:33:
You just don't know how helpful you were! You've made a big difference to her, truly.
The problem with the Special Olympics is that you have to ski under F.I.S. rules, the same rules that the Olympic and World Cup racers use. All racers have to use the same start sequence. I could have her father stand downhill a little way and use hand signals, or color signals, but even if it works, if she wins, another coach will file a protest, and she could be disqualified. I don't want to go there. I can't imagine what it would do to her to have the fastest time but be disqualified for a rules violation. So, we have to get that starting sequence.
But, Doug, thank you so much. You were such a big help!!!!!!
Mary : Mary,
: Thanks for your kind words! It is so cool that she is able to enjoy skiing more and more!
: I was wondering if a visual cue, like the different color flags that they use at car races could be used? One color could be for three, one for two, etc. It is possible that visual indicators will work much better than sound.
: Please keep us posted!
: Doug
: : I would like to take credit for that idea, but it came from this board, and it really was a big hit, so thank you, especially Doug! My student is a young woman of 15. The starting sequence is a BIG challenge for her, so THANK YOU Wynee! Yes, teaching her to work on the "One" instead of the "GO" is perfect! It makes perfect sense! How foolish of me....when I race, I'm not waiting for the "Go" but start moving into position on "Racer Ready." Yes, thank you! We're going to focus on the "One." The races are next week, so we have a little bit of time. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
: : I don't know if this student is involved in Son-Rise or not, and I think not. I only know that when we ski together, I get this happy kind of feeling from her, and from me!
: : As I've said, any additional ideas are more than welcome. I think that the new challenge we will face together after next week is that you can only stay in the novice races for one year, though I believe you can stay in the intermediate level for some time. (Special Olympics rules, but I have to check.) Plus, as I've said before, I am also working with a young boy, very high funcioning, and a boy with Central Auditory Processing Disorder on a regular basis.
: : You have all been so helpful. I can't thank you enough!
: : : Mary,
: : : I am sooo excited for you!!! Your ideas of all the thumbs up : : : and high fives are excellent! You are doing great and so : : : is she! I missed how old she is, but I do understand that : : : there are soo many words leading up to the "GO" that it can : : : be overwhelming for her, so maybe... just work on the "One, Go!" : : : It will probably be easier for her to listen up for the "one" and : : : then know the next word is her cue to literially GO. Just a : : : thought. Keep up all the good work and please let us know how : : : she does in the special olympics. All of the kids are winners : : : just by being there!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you and : : : her. Happy Son-Rising!
: : : Wynee
: : : : : : : Thank you all, for all of your help and suggestions!
: : : : The autistic young woman I've been teaching to ski showed up with a big surprise for me this weekend. She qualified for the Special Olympics and is skiing with poles (which she must do for the Special Olympics)!!! YAY! BIG BIG Thumbs up! (Her happy signal!) She even talked to me! She held out the poles, and said, "Poles." I had the orange cones set up, and told everyone on the hill, that given a little thumbs up signal from me, they would say, "Good Job!" and give her the Thumbs Up, followed by the High Five." Not only did she do it, she's quick! If she can stay focused on the gates, she can win her event!
: : : : So we worked really hard on the start "Racer Ready Three Two One GO," which is too many words for her, on getting into the start, and on skiing all the cones. Toward the end, she was really really going, never missing any cones! I was skiing in front of her, and at one point, there was a cone that was missing (other classes were using the cones, too, and must have kicked one out.) I treated it as if it were there, and so did she! We would do one slow run, under control, and one racing run, to be quick. She is quick! She can win her event if she can start and ski around all the poles.
: : : : Next week, we are going to set regular racing gates for her, they way they will be for the Special Olympics, and we are prepared to stay and work with her until she can get into the start and start at "GO" and ski without anyone in front of her. She's so close! Any suggestions are still more than welcome!
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