SEMO gives gymnastic boost to special education children

The climb was long and arduous. But when 6-year-old Hunter topped the mountain of gymnastic mats, he smiled and enthusiastically clapped his hands, a skill the Jackson boy just recently learned.

"I wasn't sure if he'd be scared climbing the mats or not," said his mother, Sandy Ross, watching from the sidelines in the Parker Hall gym at Southeast Missouri State University.

Hunter, apparently, was not scared. With the aid of Southeast student helpers, the kindergartner jumped from the top of the mats down onto a balance beam and tip-toed his way across. He finished by giving his mom a high-five.

Hunter was one of about 60 special education students from the Jackson School District to gather at Southeast for a gymnastics lesson Wednesday morning. The annual activity gives students in elementary through high school the chance to try basic gymnastics.

"It's a big lift for their self-esteem," said Diana Diebold, a Jackson special education teacher who helps coordinate the activity. "These children never get a chance to experience exercise like this, and they enjoy being with the other kids. Their smiles say it all."

It also gives Southeast physical education majors a chance to work with special education students.

" A lot of these kids don't a chance to participate in things like this," said Southeast senior Eddie Mattison. "They're getting some sort of physical activity, and it works on their gross and fine motor skills."

Southeast women's gymnastics coach Tom Farden helped start the program three years ago as a way to both help the community and give physical education majors time with special education children.

"I can't think of better experience to have than getting 60 special education kids together," Farden said. "It's a great opportunity."

The students spent around an hour and 15 minutes working their way through an obstacle course of balance beams, rings, trampolines and bar exercises.

"They're never bored," Farden said. "I want them to come in and have fun. Gymnastics isn't really something that's offered in elementary schools in this area."

cclark@semissourian.com

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