Akiho Matsunaga said her six-year-old son Soskay had a wonderful experience in Special Olympics BC – Whistler Valley’s Active Start/FUNdamentals program. Matsunaga said the youth program was a lot of fun and she could see Soskay’s physical skills improve every week. At the end of each session Soskay would say, “More!” in American Sign Language.
The number of SOBC youth programs continues to grow across the province and current programs are going strong. There are now 107 Active Start, FUNdamentals, and Sport Start programs running in communities around B.C., providing children with intellectual disabilities ages two to 18 with opportunities to develop motor, sport, and social skills in a fun and supportive environment.
Read more about SOBC’s youth programs
At first, Matsunaga was hesitant to sign up Soskay for SOBC – Whistler Valley’s program, because she was worried he would have trouble following instructions. Matsunaga was delighted to see Soskay was having fun right from the first class, and he could fully participate in all of the activities.
“It was huge for us!” she said.
Matsunaga said the program’s facilitator Stephen Suckling did a great job of helping Soskay build his skills from week to week. One skill they worked on was hitting a ball with a racquet. It took Soskay a little while to get the hang of it, but after a few weeks he was hitting the ball every time.
Matsunaga said Suckling was very encouraging, always had a smile on his face, and made the sessions a lot of fun.
“Every week he brings a lot of ideas. He is amazing!” Matsunaga said.
After the sessions, Soskay would practice what he had learned at home. Matsunaga said she is proud of how Soskay had a great attitude and was willing to try new things.
“I was happy to see that and it makes me say, ‘Yay!’” she said.
Matsunaga said she is grateful there is a program that meets Soskay’s needs in her community.
“I am so happy to have this program here in Whistler!” she said. “We would like to participate as much as we can and hope that Soskay continues to build his skills.”
SOBC – Whistler Valley’s Active Start/FUNdamentals program ran sessions from October to December 2016, and the Local looks forward to offering more sessions in the future.
Anne Falvo is a facilitator with SOBC – Prince Rupert’s Active Start program, which started up in October 2016. Active Start is for children between the ages of two and six and focuses on basic movement skills. Falvo has a background in early childhood special needs education and says helping run the program has helped her fulfill a professional goal.
Falvo says each class begins with everyone doing laps around the room, which the facilitators have adapted into a game of "Duck, duck, goose." The program also includes lots of fun songs with actions.
The two children who attend the program are siblings, and the facilitators use speech, American Sign Language, and visual aids to communicate with them.
Falvo says she has received great feedback from the parent who attends the sessions, who is thrilled there is a program in the community that welcomes her children.
Shauntel Nash leads SOBC – Salmon Arm’s FUNdamentals program, which began in November 2016. The FUNdamentals program is a continuation of the Active Start program for children between the ages of seven and 11.
Nash says her role is to to make sure the kids are having fun and feel included. The sessions focus on basic skills required for sports, such as soccer, baseball, basketball, and bowling. As the children take part in activities, they practice lining up and taking turns, which helps them develop social skills.
“The kids are so excited to come every week and exert some of their energy!” Nash says. “They love coming and being a part of a group. Their parents tell me how exciting it is for them to come every Tuesday.”
A highlight of the program for Nash is seeing how excited the children get when they achieve a goal, like throwing a basketball through a hoop. Nash also says it great to watch the kids have fun playing with a parachute at the end of each class.
Sincere thanks to Goldcorp, the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, Tim Hortons, the Samuel Family Foundation, The Slaight Family Foundation, the GoodLife Kids Foundation, and The Hamber Foundation for their significant support of youth programs and athlete development throughout B.C.