Sports Please Me

Guest Blog by Liam Paquin

Skating Pleases Day and Me

skating pleases day

day pleases skating

fun gliding across the ice

after pleases fun

gliding fun across the ice

makes me feel free and light

I feel free gliding across the ice and pleases me

By Liam Paquin

A note from Liam’s Mom:

Liam is a 15 year-old super fun, full of life, and very active Autistic. He learned to communicate 1 1/2 years ago using RPM.  Before that, Liam could use speech to get his basic needs met, but couldn't show people who he really is- a very insightful and intelligent young person. Being able to spell on a letter board to express his true thoughts has been life changing. Today he has a job as an advocate for social justice in education, is taking grade level high school classes and making all A's, is running on a cross country and track team with typical peers, and showing all who know him that autism is not what people think!

Liam is super excited to see Philip take on the sport of ice skating. Liam began skating when he was around 8 or 9 years old. It is one of his favorite pastimes and brings him tremendous joy and sense of community.  He is a fixture at the rink- loved and supported by all the "regulars." We've always known that there was something regulating about skating for Liam but got the chance to hear from him about it when he chose skating as the topic for his very first stab at writing a poem! Skating not only brings him tremendous joy, it's also paved the way for other sports such as skiing. I highly recommend getting kids with autism involved in sports. Sports have given Liam membership in communities, a full, rich life, a great way to spend his free time, and great improvement in motor skills! It has not always been easy. It has taken a lot of time and work. But seeing his independence and huge smile as he whizzes around the rink makes it all worth it!