My special, talented gymnasts

C hicago may not have won the Olympics bid, but there are some special athletes in training for gymnastics in Plainfield.

Last year, I began coaching gymnastics at GymQuest in Plainfield. There wasn't a class for special needs children. So, once I returned from maternity leave, I started one.

It had been quite a while since I coached such a class (my sister with Down syndrome no longer competes in gymnastics). Over the summer, four girls with Down syndrome enrolled in my class. They were in the junior high to high school age range.

Just as is the case with any class, the ability levels within my class vary as well.

Most of the girls are working on very basic skills, while one is working on slightly more advanced ones. I modify where needed so each girl can experience success.

Our class follows the same format as other classes. We do warmups and stretch and rotate on the apparatus. Using the Special Olympics Gymnastics Program as a guide, I teach the girls skills within the Level 1 routines.

While inclusion in schools is ever growing, it's wonderful for these "normal" kids to see the "differently abled" kids in the gym, too.

Perhaps they struggle a bit to achieve basic skills and perhaps their skills will never compare to those of the club kids, but they can learn to do many gymnastics skills.

Recently, a girl in my class mastered getting onto the medium beam, standing up, walking across and dismounting all on her own. Just like the other coaches, I rang the "new skill bell" and announced what this girl was about to do for the entire gym. It took about three weeks of encouragement to get her to do this as she is very shy. Her dad and I were so excited to watch her demonstrate this achievement. And once it was over, she acted as if it was no big deal!

The special needs class is not about becoming a fantastic gymnast.

It's about allowing these kids to have the same opportunities their schoolmates have the chance to do gymnastics, the chance to better themselves, learn new skills, develop self-confidence and most importantly, to have fun. Their smiles, excitement and genuine happiness is always on display.

Plainfield Television Group will air a segment on the special needs gymnastics class. For more information contact GymQuest at 815-609-6360 or go to gymquest.com.

Michelle Rudman has more than 15 years gymnastics coaching experience in Special Olympics, recreational and competitive programs. She may be reached at m.rudman@yahoo.com.