Ds Awareness Month Story – Jenny
Today’s story was written by Regina, Jenny’s mom. She talks about how Down syndrome does not define Jenny or her abilities. She is accepted in her community as Jenny, not by her disability.
As a single parent, it was hard to be as committed as I wanted to my daughter’s school functions.
One time, I received a note from school they were having a gym show and parents were encouraged to attend. Reluctantly, I took a day off from work to attend the show. When Jennifer got in line to get on the balance beam, I snuck up behind her and said “Jenny you can’t do this”. She said “Yes I can”. Just to see her walk across that balance beam brought tears to my eyes. At age 7, her gross motor skills were at a 4 year old child.
After one year of gym class with her gym teacher, Mr. Blaine, Jennifer had increased her skill levels by four years. When I told Mr. Blaine what a remarkable job he did, considering Jennifer’s disability, he looked at me and said “I never see Jenny for her disabilities, she has endless abilities; we just have to find ways to bring them out.”
Those words changed our lives and started a new outlook for Jenny and me on what lied in her future. Mr. Blaine tirelessly worked with Jennifer and taught her to do cartwheels on the balance beam. She went on to earn gold medals in two Special Olympic, World games. Jennifer even competed against one Level 7 gymnast, whose disability was “dyslexia”. Jennifer competed on her high school gymnastics team and earned 5th place in a district competition.
Jennifer is now a volunteer coach in Worthington for Special Olympic gymnasts.