[Sportsandrec] clueless coaches

Wed Jul 11 12:17:00 UTC 2012

At 05:44 PM 7/9/2012, you wrote:
>hello;
>
>My name is Mike, i know i've introduced myself to some of you.
>I've read through this entire thread, and i've got to ask, where is 
>the discussion around the responsibility of the student?  One person 
>i think mentioned talking to the parent about what's going on in 
>class... but what is the kid comfortable doing?  that's where it really dwells.
>Sure the teachers have to use some common sense and judgement when 
>it comes to class participation, however, i believe a fuller 
>percentage of what can and can't be done lies with the student.  who 
>knows his/her limitations better?
>I lost both my eyes to retino blastoma by the time i was six.  i 
>participated in all PE activities, including flag football where i 
>played nose tackle and center just by having my knuckles touch the 
>nose of the ball; my idea, not the teachers.  i even stripped a kid 
>who had 40lbs on me and scored a touchdown, he was as shocked as anyone.  LOL
>Basketball, just have another kid run under and clap once under the 
>basket.  swimming, gymnastics, rope climbing,  volleyball, weights, track...
>i actually got a call at college one day by my former braille 
>transcriber and mobility specialist, they wanted to know how i 
>succeeded in gym class because a girl had come 2 years behind me and 
>was struggling.  they asked, well, "what did you do with Mike."  The 
>teacher's answer was "nothing, he just did it."  No reason anyone 
>else can't be like that.  if they can't, it should be like any child 
>comparison with sight; you're either an athlete or you're not, has 
>nothing to do with vision.  Obviously you're not going to hit a 
>baseball with as much success, but i think you get my point.
>i competed in wrestling from 3rd grade through my second year at The 
>University of Pittsburgh, and also rowed stroke in a 4-man shell for 
>the University.
>in junior/high school i also participated in track, did long jump and discus.
>Granted, it takes a little convincing of the parents/teachers, but 
>that's my whole point.  We've got to tell these kids it's up to 
>them, if we wait for the adults to figure it out, it'll be centuries.
>I grew up wrestling in PA, probably the most competitive state in 
>the nation for this sport, in one of the 3 most competitive weight 
>classes at 126lbs.  I'm not saying this to be immodest, i just want 
>to help.  I had written to Lisa M earlier looking for ways i can 
>assist, and i'm still waiting for a response.
>Today i am lifting in a fully sighted open powerlifting federation, 
>the IPA.  2 years ago i won Nationals for my age group at 198, it 
>was incredible.  there's no reason other people can't feel this kind 
>of success, especially the youngsters.
>I'm also certified as a strength coach by the NSCA, and a senior 
>Olympic lifting coach by USAW.  so if anyone else knows where and 
>how i could help...
>I remember at Pitt our coach use to make us wrestle with the lights 
>out.  It wasn't because i was there, Coach Stottlemeyer had been 
>doing that for years.
>These kinds of adaptations are out there, or just waiting to be found.
>All it takes is the right kid, and we can help.
>Coaches and teachers are there as resources, it is up to students 
>and athletes to decide how to allow them to be of benefit, or be useful;
>and athletes/students to be coachable/teachable.  Blind students and 
>athletes are no different in my opinion.
>thanks for allowing me to participate.
>Mike
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Justin.Williams2 <justin.williams2 at gmail.com>
>To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List' 
><sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Mon, Jul 9, 2012 8:11 pm
>Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] clueless coaches
>
>Yeah, I met you.  We sat outside or a while, and you gave me some abdominal
>tips.  You have a dog right?
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
>[mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bill Kociaba
>Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 8:00 PM
>To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
>Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] clueless coaches
>
>I am not sure. I was at the sports and rec meeting and I spoke. I am a
>former gym owner and am currently a massage therapist/personal trainer here
>in hollywood, Fl.
>I am sorry to say I met so many people that I am really not sure who was
>who.
>
>Bill Kociaba
>CRUISEONE
>Bill at Ycruise.com
>954 227 7772 or Toll Free 877 227 7775
>7600 Wiles Rd, Coral Springs, FL 33067
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Justin.Williams2" <justin.williams2 at gmail.com>
>To: "'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'"
><sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 6:29 PM
>Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] clueless coaches
>
>
>>Did I meet you bill last year/
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>[mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bill Kociaba
>>Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 4:59 PM
>>To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
>>Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] clueless coaches
>>
>>Hay Justin,
>>I wasn't there.  I was in Orlando last year and will be again next
>year as
>
>>I
>>live in Fl.  Traveling to conventions outside of the state doesn't
>really
>>fit into my budget.
>>
>>Bill Kociaba
>>CRUISEONE
>>Bill at Ycruise.com
>>954 227 7772 or Toll Free 877 227 7775
>>7600 Wiles Rd, Coral Springs, FL 33067
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Justin.Williams2" <justin.williams2 at gmail.com>
>>To: "'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'"
>><sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
>>Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 3:20 PM
>>Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] clueless coaches
>>
>>
>>>I wish I had a chance to meet you guys at convention.  I don't think
>that
>>>I
>>>have ever met you.
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>[mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>>jody at thewhitehats.com
>>>Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 2:53 PM
>>>To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
>>>Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] clueless coaches
>>>
>>>Hi Bill,
>>>
>>>I had a good friend who was a brittle diabetic.  His gym teacher's
>idea
>>>of
>>>toughing him up was to have him run laps until he calapsed and ended
>up
>>>in
>>>the emergency room in shock.
>>>
>>>Really, I look back and see how irresponsible some of these teachers
>>>were.
>>>Even having kids go outside in shorts and short sleeved shirts in
>>>November
>>>up north was so irresponsible.  If a parent sent their kid out to
>play in
>>>freezing weather in shorts and short sleeves they would be charged
>with
>>>child abuse!
>>>
>>>Some of the adaptive PE they come up with now a days isn't any
>better.
>>>The
>>>totally blind girl I mentioned who came in second place in her
>division
>>>in
>>>the judo tournament described PE in school.  The teacher had her sit
>in a
>>>chair and do arm exercises.  We joked about it all the time in class.
>>>Those
>>>are the exercises for an 80 year old cardiac patient, not a healthy
>12
>>>year
>>>old blind girl.
>>>
>>>Oh don't get me started!  Actually I had so much faith in the public
>>>school
>>>system we homeschooled our daughter.  She got her diploma at 16.  She
>>>started judo at 18 months of age but gave it up at 8.  Not to say she
>>>didn't
>>>learn anything.  She is married to a black belt in karate so now she
>>>loves
>>>kick boxing.
>>>
>>>Our son did get his black belt.  He started judo at 11.  He came
>home
>>>from
>>>school complaining a bully made him kiss a tree in order to be
>allowed to
>>>pass him.  Well, it didn't take long before that boy ended up eating
>>>grass
>>>and leaving our son alone.  Our son had a great tai-otoshi, he could
>even
>>>do
>>>it and make it look like the other guy tripped.
>>>
>>>We just moved to a small farm with 5 acres.  I am in heaven here.
>Tom
>>>and
>>
>>>I
>>>were just out in the barn and we found our mats.  We can put them
>out in
>>>the
>>>grass and play to our hearts content and with complete privacy
>except for
>>>our neighbor's horse.
>>>
>>>When we practice we have to leave the dogs inside because they think
>we
>>>are
>>>puppy wrestling and they want to join in.
>>>
>>>Between the farm and working out I hope to loose some of the weight
>I
>>>have
>>>put on over the last few years.  I was almost to my goal when my
>mother
>>>in
>>>law came to stay with us.  She loves junk food. It wasn't her fault,
>it
>>>was
>>>my fault for not having any will power.  I am determined now to get
>to my
>>>goal.  The Zone diet works best for us.
>>>
>>>JODY
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>JODY
>>>
>>>
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