Michael Phelps is inspiration to special needs children
Michael Phelps is inspiration to special needs children Save Email Print
South Bend, IN
Posted: 7:32 PM Aug 24, 2008
Last Updated: 7:27 AM Aug 25, 2008
Reporter: Marcie Kobriger
Email Address: marcie.kobriger@wndu.com

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Swimming phenomenon Michael Phelps has been an inspiration to many people this Olympic Games.

But what you may not know is that his mother put him in swimming lessons as a child to help cope with his ADHD.

Now, Phelps' story is serving as an inspiration to parents of special needs children right here in Michiana.

Annie Sawicki is teaching 30 special needs children the ropes around the pool, and just like teaching able-bodied children, there are some shaky starts.

"The first two lessons are very bumpy," said Sawicki. "And then as the children learn how to blow bubbles or jump off the side, or be able to jump in deep water, the positive feeling is just so much more than with an able-bodied swimmer."

Fourteen-year-old Jordan Kazmirski is diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome, which among other things, affects his hearing, his vision, and his heart.

"Back when he was a baby, doctors said he would never walk, crawl, all this, and he was stubborn and grandma was stubborn," said Jordan's grandmother, Linda Kazmirski.

With grandma's help, Jordan is able to do much more than walk and talk.

And now, with Annie's help, he is learning to swim too.

"He's nervous but he has grown a lot from the first time Annie worked with him," said Linda. "He's prospered so much from the swimming."

Little Jacob Murasko has Downs Syndrome, but it has never kept him or his parents down.

At two years old, he's a natural in the water. But even at such a young age, his instructor and parents think what Jacob can do in the water is limitless.

"I just see a lot of potential in Jacob," said Marla Murasko, Jacob's mother. "And it's nice to see that Michael Phelps has ADHD. He's got a little bit of a disability, and it's good to see that children with disabilities can do stuff, and they have the potential if you just show them the tools."

The tools are what it's all about. Annie tailors each lesson for each child's needs, but sees swimming not just as a lesson for in the pool, but in life.

"Being in the water, it's just one of those sports most everyone can do," said Annie. "And the self-esteem and the self-confidence that we're seeing is just really heartwarming."

Enrollment in most swimming classes typically grows by about 50 percent following any summer Olympic Games.

Annie and some of these parents are hoping the special needs swimming program will continue to grow as well.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 26, 2008 at 09:19 AM
If I didnt know any better, I would have thought Phelps was the ONLY participant in the Olympics.

Posted by: Julie on Aug 25, 2008 at 06:26 PM
ADHD is hardly the same thing as a "special needs" child.

Posted by: Annie Location: Waterford Hotel on Aug 25, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Lessons are held at the Waterford Hotel. Email at seahorse5@mac.com Very special and talented children!

Posted by: Laurie Location: Niles on Aug 24, 2008 at 11:13 PM
With what organization are the swimming lessons held???...not a lot of details here...

Posted by: j on Aug 24, 2008 at 10:24 PM
what a blessing

Posted by: helene shafer Location: granger on Aug 24, 2008 at 08:32 PM
Annie is teaching my 6 year-old daughter with Down syndrome to swim. she is an amazing teacher. I am so excited for my daughter's progress and her confidence is growing with each swimming lesson....

Posted by: jessica Location: granger, in on Aug 24, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Where are the classes held?


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