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Vicki Keith's proteges compete in marathon swim
Kingston this Week
STEVEN SERVISS
May 9, 2003
Vicki Keith's Kingston Y Penguins swim team for children with disabilities will mimic their mentor's marathon accomplishments with a 24-hour fundraising swim Saturday, May 10.
Two years ago, Kingston's most famous swimmer returned to the region with a dream of starting a sport for the disabled. Two years later, the Penguins were in the water. They'll complete 20-minute legs during the marathon at the Kingston family YMCA pool.
Sport for Disabled is partnering with the YMCA to offer additional programs for children with disabilities at a new facility within the city. The idea is still being developed.
"The YMCA has helped us develop Sport for Disabled, and find a facility for kids," says Keith.
The program fits in well with the YMCA's mission to provide opportunities for everyone, says Heather Macdonald, YMCA administrator.
Keith's program is an extension of the YMCA, she says, but it focuses on specific programs for youth.
Membership going up
Since the program began, membership has grown from six to almost 20.
"Sport is not always a priority in a kid's life, especially if they have all kinds of challenges," says Keith.
But for some kids it has become a priority.
Jenna Lambert started swimming with the Penguins last year. The 12 year old has cerebral palsy and needs a walker, forearm clutches or a wheelchair.
The best part of the swim team is it enables Lambert to do what loves most, swimming.
"I love hearing my teammates scream words of encouragement as I race," says the Harrowsmith Public School student.
Prior to the swim team, Lambert was not involved in sport. She is now able to swim with her younger sister Natalie, which makes the swims even more worthwhile, she adds.
Lambert's mother, Christine, says that her daughters are able to encourage each other and be interested in the same sport.
The experience has been life altering for Lambert. She says competing has cultivated a new respect for competitive athletes working toward a dream.
"It has also given me the wisdom to set my many ambitions for life," she says. "It has given me strength in many areas of my life, as well as my fitness and abilities to do what ever I set my mind to."
Two years ago Keith returned to the Kingston area with the goal of creating a Kingston swim team for children with disabilities. Her work at Variety Village made her aware of the lack of youth sporting activities for the disabled in Kingston. She vowed to change that.
"I wanted to give something to a community that had given a lot to me," says Keith. "I thought of creating a facility -- like a small Variety Village -- but I knew that dream would take years."
When the YMCA became a full partner, it established Strong Kids for a Strong Community campaign which aims to raise funds to provide equal access to all kids and develop sport programs for the disabled.
Some of the sports planned include wheelchair basketball, track and field, martial arts, sledge hockey, bocci and leadership opportunities.
"We want to give every opportunity to kids so they can excel," says Keith.
The opportunity to play more sports is attractive to Lambert. After being introduced to swimming and now competing, she wants to someday play competitive sledge hockey.
More marathons planned
Later this summer, Keith's husband, John Munro, will do two marathon swims to raise funds for the local program. Munro plans to swim the 32 km across Lake Erie in July and then the 52 km across Lake Ontario in August.
For more information on Sport for Disabled contact Keith at 546-2647 or e-mail reachforyourdreams@sympatico.ca.
Olympic coach speaking at YMCA
Olympic coach Andy Higgins will present a motivational seminar entitled Success is an Option from 9:30-11:30 am, Saturday, May 10 at the Kingston Family YMCA.
Seminar tickets are $25 at the YMCA.
After the seminar Higgins will officially start the Kingston Y Penguins swim team's 24-hour relay.
The 24-hour relay and seminar will raise funds in support of the development of sport for children with disabilities, says Keith.
Spectators are welcome to cheer on the Penguins.
steve@kingstonthisweek.com
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