Ring That Bell




Simon At Gymnastics from Ali Edwards on Vimeo.

Today I want to share a success. Because I love celebrating Simon.

Back in May Simon started attending a weekly gymnastics class. The goal was for him to work his body and build strength. It's a class for kids with special needs and he's really enjoyed it from the beginning as long as everything goes how he wants it to go. And because it's real life, some of the social parts have continued to be a challenge for him and we're continuing to work through it (a challenge to the point where he doesn't want to participate and lays on the floor vs. doing the exercises).

Last night he experienced a major success. The kind that builds strength of both body and mind.

Since he started a few months back he's been doing a lot of the same exercises each week, including the one you see in the video above where he goes backwards over the barrel. Last night was the first time he did it all by himself, with strength in his legs to push off and strength in his arms to stop him on the other end. When he started his teacher needed to roll him over the barrel and fully support his arms so he wouldn't hit his head.

The best part was how over-the-top excited he was about mastering this skill.

"Mom!" he said, "I can't believe I'm an expert!"

And then he went right back over and did it again and again with the biggest smile on his face. I live for those smiles.

At this gym when an athlete achieves a goal or masters a significant new skill they get to go ring a bell that sounds throughout the entire gym. People stop what they are doing and clap and cheer.

Simon got to ring the bell last night and it was awesome.

Go, Simon go!

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

126 thoughts

  1. Kelly says…
    07/20/2012

    love that back walkover! Go Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. audra says…
    07/20/2012

    That is a success!! What a wonderful night! I'm SO happy for you and SO, SO happy for Simon. Continue to celebrate, that is just awesome! GO SIMON!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Laura BC says…
    07/20/2012

    Way to go, Simon! Three cheers from Minnesota!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Fanny says…
    07/20/2012

    I love it, Ali! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Jacque says…
    07/20/2012

    What a great way to start my day!! Thank you for sharing Simon's wondeful progress. Makes me smile!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Scrappin Annie says…
    07/20/2012

    Oh yes! Go, Simon, go

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Teresa says…
    07/20/2012

    Instant unexpected lump in my throat and tears of happiness for him- how awesome!!! I'm sure that bell will be ringing again very soon! :) Go, Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Nicky from Okotoks says…
    07/20/2012

    Go Simon Go!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Maureen says…
    07/20/2012

    What a wonderful breakthrough! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Dori says…
    07/20/2012

    Awesome, Simon! Hip, hip, hooray!!! :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Kim S. (nerdgrl) says…
    07/20/2012

    Ditto: Go, Simon, Go!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Marie says…
    07/20/2012

    Hooray and bravo for Simon! You can be proud of him!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Ronnie Crowley says…
    07/20/2012

    Brought tears to my eyes as a Mum we can all relate when our kids achieve a dream.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Lisa W. says…
    07/20/2012

    In tears...as I was reading I was smiling, when I got to the part when you where explaining "the bell" I started crying, know HE got to ring the bell...tears of joy of course. Go Simon Go!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Sherry Eckblad says…
    07/20/2012

    Way to go Simon! If I had a bell I would be ringing it for him right now. I too started crying when you got to the ringing the bell part.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. cathy says…
    07/20/2012

    Love, love, love. Go Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Regina says…
    07/20/2012

    Hugs to Simon. I have a nephew that has the same struggles as Simon, and it is wonderful for the small celebrations in their lives. Hugs for you Simon. Way to go!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Allison M. says…
    07/20/2012

    Like some of the other ladies I too find myself unexpectedly tearing up. Go SIMON! That is so very awesome. Sounded like Anna was also in the background cheering him on as well?

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Keianna says…
    07/20/2012

    That is so awesome Ali and Simon. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Sherry G says…
    07/20/2012

    Loved the sound of what I assume is Anna cheering at the end.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Renee VanEpps says…
    07/20/2012

    YAY SIMON!!!!!!! Keep up the great work!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Jamie says…
    07/20/2012

    I have a nephew who has TS and who also has autism, so I know how meaningful these successes are! Go Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Terri says…
    07/20/2012

    I hope you know how all of your followers feel when Simon has success like this. We were right there in that gym, clapping along with the bell ringing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Maureen says…
    07/20/2012

    Yeah!! Go Simon Go!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Sara Andrews says…
    07/20/2012

    That is truly AWESOME!!!

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.