The day after Brian passed his swim test, we got word that his school was closing. Not at the end of the year, but with 2 months of school left. So, he started the new school this week. So far so good. His transition has been as good as expected. He even got interviewed on WSB TV about his new school. The link to that interview is here.
The last 2 weeks have included a college fair for Ben, a Dance Marathon for Brian, getting things done at work for me so I can enjoy the vacation time. Atlanta traffic was awful this week. Top it off that it was sort of cold and rainy earlier in the week. What I'm trying to say is that we are ready for this trip.
So, Troop 15 will have 22 people at Seabase. We have 16 Scouts and 6 chaperones. We will be on 3 different sail boats. Brian and I will be on Boat C. Ben will be on Boat H. Ben,Brian, and I are driving down to Key Largo and meeting the others that are flying down. Ellen is driving down with us. She will fly back to Atlanta Monday.
To assist the other scouts, we are bringing the cargo of sleeping bags and pads of all 22 Scouts and leaders. This way they don't have to check any bags flying down It has been a very interesting hauling this cargo so far.
Day 1 started after school and work for all of us with a drive to Statesboro, GA. Visiting my parents and seeing our old home town has been brief but enjoyable. Day 2 will start with a brief visit with some friends, and a drive to Melbourne Florida. We plan to celebrate Easter Sunday with a sunrise mass on the beach.
Future Blogs will likely not come until after the trip is complete. I plan to keep a journal and will post it later. I will post Facebook/ Instagram Photos. Please send any positive thoughts and prayers our way. This is a trip of a lifetime for all of us.
Friday, March 30, 2018
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Swim Test passed!!!
I have not blogged on the trip to Seabase or on Brian's progress in swimming as much as I had planned. I knew that the toughest challenge was going to be the BSA swim test. participation in Seabase is not allowed without an up to date swim test for all participants. No exceptions!!!!
Getting Brian motivated to practice swimming the last few months has been challenging, He has spent thousands of hours of his life in therapy. To him, swim practice was sometimes seen as an unneeded therapy. Sometimes with frustrating results. The folks at Blaze Sports have been awesome. They have been patient and very good at getting the best out of Brian. once he got to the pool, they did great with him. I also had Brian practicing with me and with a private instructor. We would practice at Dynamo swim club Sunday afternoons, snow days, and on one occasion, a morning before school. Honestly, I can see why Brian didn't want to go to practice. Without the practice, he would not have had a chance to pass the test.
Part of the test is stamina. You have to swim 100 total yards without stopping. We had a treadmill, till it broke in January. We had Brian running,and walking walking the dog in the cold months. This didn't always make me to popular to Brian. Brian has had other therapies thru this time. So those therapies helped.
Even as recent as a week ago, i still had concerns. A practice did not go well. However, I grew even more optimistic as the week went on. We had an early practice in the middle of the week I saw Brian do all the parts of the test. Not all at one time, but he had all of it down. Also, when we walked the dog on Friday, Brian insisted on running, and holding Stella's leash the entire time. Stella is strong, so holding her leash is a work out.
So, we planned for the test on Saturday March 10, with his Blaze Sports Instructors. Had a back up on March 24 if this test didn't go well. The test included a number of things. None of them are timed. in the end, I knew his biggest challenge was going to be the 25 yard backstroke. It comes after a 75 yard freestyle. So the hardest part happens after the longest part, so stamina was a factor.
It was a slow but successful backstroke. He passed. Happened to have the Executive Director of Blaze Sports at the swim practice. Brian celebrated with her, as well as his coaches. One coach said that it was the best that they had seen Brian swim. They are all excited for him to go on the Seabase trip.
Swim lessons will continue for Brian on the 17th and 24th. Now that he passed the test, learning how to snorkel effectively will enhance the trip. We have snorkeling equipment for Brian. Like most, he swims much faster with fins on his feet.
POST TEST CELEBRATION:
During all swim lessons, I gave Brian incentives (aka bribes) if he did well. This was no exception. Ben took the SAT on Saturday Morning, and this is my Birthday weekend. We combined all that to have 2 family celebrations. Appetizers at Three Dollar Cafe and dinner at Bambinellis.
Brian has passed all hurdles. He has earned his ticket to Seabase. He has proven again, that anything is possible. More Blogs to come.
Getting Brian motivated to practice swimming the last few months has been challenging, He has spent thousands of hours of his life in therapy. To him, swim practice was sometimes seen as an unneeded therapy. Sometimes with frustrating results. The folks at Blaze Sports have been awesome. They have been patient and very good at getting the best out of Brian. once he got to the pool, they did great with him. I also had Brian practicing with me and with a private instructor. We would practice at Dynamo swim club Sunday afternoons, snow days, and on one occasion, a morning before school. Honestly, I can see why Brian didn't want to go to practice. Without the practice, he would not have had a chance to pass the test.
Part of the test is stamina. You have to swim 100 total yards without stopping. We had a treadmill, till it broke in January. We had Brian running,and walking walking the dog in the cold months. This didn't always make me to popular to Brian. Brian has had other therapies thru this time. So those therapies helped.
Even as recent as a week ago, i still had concerns. A practice did not go well. However, I grew even more optimistic as the week went on. We had an early practice in the middle of the week I saw Brian do all the parts of the test. Not all at one time, but he had all of it down. Also, when we walked the dog on Friday, Brian insisted on running, and holding Stella's leash the entire time. Stella is strong, so holding her leash is a work out.
So, we planned for the test on Saturday March 10, with his Blaze Sports Instructors. Had a back up on March 24 if this test didn't go well. The test included a number of things. None of them are timed. in the end, I knew his biggest challenge was going to be the 25 yard backstroke. It comes after a 75 yard freestyle. So the hardest part happens after the longest part, so stamina was a factor.
It was a slow but successful backstroke. He passed. Happened to have the Executive Director of Blaze Sports at the swim practice. Brian celebrated with her, as well as his coaches. One coach said that it was the best that they had seen Brian swim. They are all excited for him to go on the Seabase trip.
Swim lessons will continue for Brian on the 17th and 24th. Now that he passed the test, learning how to snorkel effectively will enhance the trip. We have snorkeling equipment for Brian. Like most, he swims much faster with fins on his feet.
POST TEST CELEBRATION:
During all swim lessons, I gave Brian incentives (aka bribes) if he did well. This was no exception. Ben took the SAT on Saturday Morning, and this is my Birthday weekend. We combined all that to have 2 family celebrations. Appetizers at Three Dollar Cafe and dinner at Bambinellis.
Brian has passed all hurdles. He has earned his ticket to Seabase. He has proven again, that anything is possible. More Blogs to come.
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