Ten-year-old Emily Oleksiew wears her camouflage belt with pride.
It’s her outward sign of accomplishment after five years of instruction in taekwondo at Sirota’s Alchymy in Steveston, a place specializing in martial arts and life skills development.
The one-on-one lessons have dramatically increased Emily’s coordination, stamina and core strength.
But it’s the fact she now chats with classmates that is one of the most pleasing changes, says Emily’s mom, Gina.
Emily was born with Down syndrome, which in the past has made her somewhat shy and unwilling to talk.
“The lessons have made her much more confident,” Gina said. “She’s more able now to respond to conversations. It’s been really great to see the progress she’s made.”
The lessons were provided with the assistance of Variety — The Children’s Charity which, this year, will benefit from Emily’s newfound confidence as she sets about to fundraise for the organization through the Variety’s Kid Champions program.
The program’s aim rests on Variety’s belief that children who have special needs can achieve their own victories and be leaders in their community, building teams of supporters and inspiring others to help Variety help more children.
Gina said her daughter is now ready to take on the challenge.
“Before, she would take on something and she’d say, almost in tears, ‘I can’t do it, I can’t do it,’” Gina said. “She’s now developed the ability to say to herself, ‘You know what, I am going to try.’ It’s not something you realize right away, but when she makes those strides, you can really see how much she’s changed. She’s really grown as a person.”
She’s overcome her stutter, and conversations flow much more freely.
“This is the first year she is talking to the other students. It’s taken a while, but I’ve noticed the improvement,” Gina said. “With these kids you have to work at it for several years before you see the results. And the repetitive nature of the martial arts lessons has really helped.”
“Champions are people we look up to for inspiration,” explained Bernice Scholten, Variety’s executive director. “Variety’s Kid Champions are encouraging their communities to help them help more children who have special needs. It takes teamwork to make a difference and by taking the lead, our champions are achieving little victories every day.”
To help Variety, Emily and Gina are getting permission from local businesses to put out Variety’s coin collection boxes. Already taking part are locations of IGA, BMO and Buy-Low.
Donations can also be made online at the champions’ fundraising pages at variety.bc.ca.
Plus, during the Chinese New Year festivals, they will be organizing an event for the public to purchase wishing lanterns, with the proceeds going to the charity.
“It’s been awfully good of Variety to help us, and we were asking if there something we can do to give back,” Gina said.
For more information about the Champions program, contact David Coons, director, fund development at 604-320-0505 or email [email protected].
