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Wide Down Syndrome Group is affiliated to the Down Syndrome Association
Moya
My 15 year old daughter Moya only started with Gillingham Gymnastics Club last September. It was something she had never done before but as usual Moya will try anything. She liked her first session so much that she has been attending the special needs evening every Monday after school. She has already attained her Bronze Award in Gymnastics.
On Sunday 27th May 2007 she attended her first competition at Woughton Leisure Centre in Milton Keynes. There were about 150 competitors from all over Britain, even a team from Jersey, all with different special needs. I calculated that about 15% had Downs Syndrome. The enthusiasm and excitement was tremendous as each competitor waited their turn to shine in their various routines.
Before the competition started, the organiser introduced us to a marvellous lady with Downs Syndrome who, at the age of 33 had been in competition for 27 years but like all athletes had reached a stage where she felt it was time to retire. A tremendous rousing cheer went up from the audience and everybody felt privileged to have been part of this announcement.
The various teams then paraded around the hall, with Moya waving frantically at everyone as they prepared for the tournament to begin.
Moya had two events to do. The first one was a small floor routine. She stepped on to the floor signalled to the judges that she was ready and flawlessly performed her routines of stretching, bending and rolling before finishing and standing to signal again to the judges that she had finished her routine. She then walked calmly from the floor to sit beside her coach.
Her second event was the vault.This involved running onto a ramp and jumping onto a mat to stand still. After a faultless practice run, Moya was ready for her first jump of two. She signalled to the judges as she commenced her approach and jumped landing upright but then she fell back on her bottom. Not upset in any way she waited for her second attempt. Again she signalled to the judges that she was ready. This time she ran towards the ramp, jumped and landed perfectly. She turned to the judges and raised her arm to signal the end of the competition. I was so proud of her and she was clearly enjoying every minute.
During the rest of the day, Moya mingled with some of the other competitors and I
spoke to one little girl who was listening to High School Musical on her I-
After a very nice lunch, it was back to the hall for the afternoon displays as we watched more displays and waited for the presentation of the medals.
As is usual on occasions like this they started with the younger groups and Amy a young Downs Syndrome girl also from our group, got a silver medal for her vault. This made our club very proud. Then came Moya's 1st category, the vault. The atmosphere was tense as they announced the awards in reverse order. They then announced " and the gold medal for Gillingham Gymnastics Club goes to................Moya Clear" There was a huge cheer and the shedding of a few tears as she stepped up to the rostrum and was presented with her gold medal.
Once several more categories were awarded with our club doing exceptionally well, it was time for Moya's second category, the floor. Another huge cheer went up when she was again awarded gold. She kissed the Mayor as he placed the medal around her neck. By now my pride was really overwhelming and I hugged her and kissed her. Her expression was priceless as she beamed from ear to ear.
All in all the day was brilliant and I have so many wonderful memories of a really positive,happy and uplifting experience that showed that nothing is impossible for our people. I look forward to more of the same when there is another competition in Poole later this year.
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