Rewards come afterward for county Special Olympics contestants
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For parents and volunteer coaches, Saturday's Special Olympics Allegheny County Figure Skating Tournament is largely about what occurs off the ice.
Mary Sirianni of Bethel Park said skating has improved the self-confidence of her daughter, Amanda, 19.
Debbie Julian of Ingram said the skating helps strengthen the core muscles of her daughter, Emily, 11.
The tournament will be held 2 to 4 p.m. at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center.
"I enjoy seeing the progress [the skaters] make," R.J. Sullivan said. The Mt. Lebanon boy, 14, helps train the athletes for 90 minutes Saturday mornings, November through February, at the recreation center.
For his mother and coach, Renee Sullivan, the physical activity of skating also helps with her balance and overall health since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1994.
But it is about the participants, too.
"I love these kids. This is where I belong," she said.
"It is real rewarding to share my love of figure skating with the athletes," another coach, Caitlin Fox of Shadyside, said.
Longtime volunteer coach Dolly Ferraro, of Scott, agrees that it is about the joy of growth -- the coaches' growth, that is.
"People think it is wonderful I do this. But I get so much more out of it watching [special athletes] go from using a walker on the ice to advancing to different levels," she said.
Kathy Guy, director of Special Olympics Allegheny County, said that while the recreation center is the only training site for singles and pairs figure skating, there are a total of 22 training sites in the county for the program's 15 sports.
Those sports are: alpine skiing, aquatics, track/field, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, floor hockey, figure skating, golf, long distance running/walking, motorized activity training, power lifting, soccer and softball.
To compete, athletes must be at least 8 years old, although they may begin training at age 6. Participants range in ages to their 80s.
Special Olympics Allegheny County is supported by donations from the community and various fundraising events. It relies on the commitment of volunteers who coordinate the training site programs and provide tournament-day support. There is no cost to the athletes.
Mrs. Sullivan said the biggest challenge as head coach is getting the athletes to focus and engage in repetition, and to make it all simple and fun.
"If it's not fun, they won't excel," she said.
The tournament's 14 special-needs athletes range from age 11 to late-40s, and all will wear the glitzy costumes that go with figure skating.
Jennifer Miller, 39, of McCandless is one participant and said she will wear a grape-colored skirt and body suit Saturday when she skates to the religious hymn "Be Thou My Vision."
Amy Rollin, 47, of Dormont, will perform in a glittery black shirt and pants to "Don't Turn Out the Lights" by New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys.
Amanda Sirianni's participation -- in a pink outfit with pink sparkles -- will draw about 10 family members to the rink.
"It's a very big deal in my family ... " Mrs. Sirianni said, "this is Amanda's show."
Admission is free. For more information on the county Special Olympics, call 412-279-5450.
First Published February 2, 2012 5:23 am
