Letters from our Athletes

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:36:00 -0400

We recently received a letter from one of our athletes. This special letter is from Sabrina Schmidt. We did not feel like we could do it justice by re-typing it, so we scanned it and you will be reading from her own handwritting.

Athlete of the Month

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:36:00 -0400

Role model

Cheering for Anna

Mary Page encourages daughter to step out from the sidelines
By Amy Taylor

Some parents grieve when they learn their new born has Down syndrome. It was never

like that for Mary Page and her Anna.  "Anna's been an inspiration and blessing to me

since she was born,"  said Page, a  nurse on the 3A medical-surgical unit at Saint Joseph

Hospital. "When I get down and feel like giving up, I realize I still have Anna."  As the

mother of a 40-year-old daughter with Down syndrome and two normal sons, Page was

never satisfied to watch her boys develop while Anna sat on the sidelines. For years the

nurse has given up vacations to take her daughter to cheerleading competitions around the

nation. Anna is a proud member of the Kentucky Elite Showcats.  In 2003 a friend with a

Down syndrome daughter mentioned cheerleading to Page.  Anna joined the new squad

soon after.  "Ours was the first Special Olympics cheerleading group," Page said. "Since

this began, there have been 150 groups started worldwide."  Cheerleading has been a great

outlet for Anna, her mother said.  "It allows her to interact with other disabled children,and

with normal children as well.   Anna's a happy child. Her speech is limited, but she's always

 outgoing."   Not all Showcats have Downsyndrome, but all have special needs. Despite that

fact, they sometimes compete against "normal"  cheerleaders, Page said-as they did in Florida

during an international competition last year.  "It was spectacular," Page said. "The kids from

other countries, all normal kids, warmed right up to Anna.   They were an inspiration."  Page is

a role model for her co-workers because of her dedication to Anna, saidher manager on 3A,

Lesly Arrasmith.   "[ think everybody who gets involved with what Mary does for her daughter

can't help but be inspired," Arrasmith said. "She gives so much.  She chaperones when other

mothers can't attend so their daughters can compete."   Although Anna is overweight because of

thyroid problems, cheerleading was a perfect fit, her mother said.  "Anna loves the music part,"

Page said. "She loves to dance.    It comes naturally, because ours is a very musical family."

Page can see the time coming when she will be unable to "This is about Anna fulfilling herself

to the ultimate of her capacity.    I feel so proud of her."   shepherd Anna through life.  Her plan

is to take her daughter to Jerry Tucker, who runs the Galilean Home for special needschildren.

Tucker has adopted 25 children and young adults, and has promised to take in Anna, her mother

said.   In the meantime, Page feels privileged to travel with Anna and the Showcats to events that

"help them stay fit, demonstrate their courage and talent, and experience the joy of making friends.

"This is about Anna fulfilling herself to the ultimate of her capacity," her mother said. "I feel so proud

of her."   The Down Syndrome Association of Central Kentucky will host its annual Buddy Walk

Saturday,  October 3 at Keeneland RaceCourse in Lexington. The walk promotes acceptance of people

with Down syndrome, and raises funds to increase awareness and education.

Page and Anna invite the SJHS family to take part.

Congratulations to Oana Warren

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:36:00 -0400

Congratulations to Oana Warren for making the Woodford County Varsity team!!

Welcome

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:30:00 -0400

Please use this Blog to list any questions you have about our teams or share your stories with others about how this experience has changed your son or daughter.