We moved to Rye last year and one of the first things we did was join the Y. We wanted to make sure our children felt welcome in the community. And what better place to come for social interaction and activities?
We have a 15-year-old daughter with special needs and a 14-year-old son. Right away they were able to get involved and use the facilities. My daughter loves swimming and my son was able to work out. We have met people who are part of this community and have enjoyed the interaction with members who we also see at church. Being here was a welcoming experience for us and a great way to break the ice.
We come to family swim and family gym. The family swim is fantastic. Swimming is very therapeutic for my daughter and an integral part of her life. She is like a fish. It is beneficial because we all participate and spend some quality time together. I try to work out every day and my wife has quite a few classes that she attends. She does yoga, Zumba, water exercise. She gets to socialize and network with her peers. It’s the best of both worlds. Coming here is a respite for both of us.
My daughter is a very active child. Ever since she was diagnosed at two, I’ve made it my life long mission to not only involve her in all day-to-day activities just like her peers but to go the extra mile with her. She has travelled, skied and snorkeled. She is an international traveler and loves different types of cuisine. We don’t inhibit her in any way. It is important that she is able to interact with society because society is sometimes unkind and unwilling to bend and to accommodate. She comes in, does her own thing, like everyone else. It has been a great experience!
My son has also adjusted really well to the community. He has the challenge of having a sibling with special needs as well as adjusting to a new community away from all of his friends. At first it was difficult. He likes coming to the Y, sometimes after school. He was in the Teen Fitness Camp which worked out fantastically. It was a great experience. He made some friends and towards the end, he wanted to extend and do more weeks which was incredible! I was very pleasantly surprised.
The Y binds everything together, socially and within the community. Rye is a very tight knit community and everyone knows each other. It is just perfect. And it all melts together at the Y. It has been wonderful.
© Rye YMCA. All Rights Reserved. Site by Stark.
