In fact, for the first time, the Great Neck
Parks District sponsored a weekly therapeutic pro- gram, in April, for kids between the ages of 6 and 19.
“It took a long time to convince people,” said
Zubli, who would like to make the program a local high school physical education requirement (and eventually a national program). Tey believe in it.” It’s structured in 14 steps and the kids earn patches as they progress through the program. Te first patch is earned by getting skates on their feet, learning to balance themselves off the ice and walk on skates. Te second step is actually getting on the ice followed by a third patch for gliding for- ward.
Hughes said it’s been magical. “Mrs. Zubli was able to turn her idea into
reality by successfully coordinating the efforts of the Great Neck Park District and the Great Neck School District by arranging transportation, ice time, skate rental, coaches, equipment and teach- ing assistants,” said Hughes, who travels out from
the city every chance she gets. “Once these variables were in order and the
right people were working together, the students were able to get on the ice. For some of the middle school students, it was their first time on the ice. Not surprisingly, they loved it and wanted more.” Zubli recalled one young girl in particular. Initially she would scream and cry at the thought of going on the ice, so Zubli would hold her under the arms and gently set her feet flat on the ice and quickly lift her up off the ice and repeat that over and over until she calmly stood flatfooted on the surface of the rink. Little by little she became less and less fright-
ened by the experience. Today, Zubli recalled, “She can’t wait. ‘When
are we going skating? When are we going skat- ing?’”
For physically and mentally challenged chil-
dren, Zubli has found the Terapeutic Skating Program improves their ability to focus along with coordination and balance as well as improved socialization skills. “It’s like a total freedom with them,” said
Olympic champion Sarah Hughes and the parks commissioners share some of the fun times with a couple of the program’s participants.
Cindy Zubli is interviewed by News 12 in New York about her highly successful Therapeutic Skating Program.
Zubli, who, in February, was recognized by News 12 Long Island as one of 12 people making a dif- ference on Long Island. Zubli added, “It’s so good for them. I mean,
their posture is better, their muscles, and it’s in- credible what happens from skating. I have two big autistic boys. No fear. No fear whatsoever and they don’t stop. Tey scream and scream as they go around the ice. Tey’re so happy. “It’s like they’re free.”
SKATING 35
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