Skaters with disabilities | Page 2 | Golden Skate

Skaters with disabilities

Vicki7

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Is there figure skating in the Olympics for disabled? That would be very good to stimulate participation of people with various disabilities.

Not currently in the Paralynpic Games, but I know it's included in Special Olympics events. The charity I linked to in my last post is trying to get the sport into the Paralynpics, our events are now recognised by the ISU so that's a start.
 

hanyuufan5

✨**:。*
Medalist
Joined
May 19, 2018
And because I know in other sports some athletes have been very open about their disabilities and conditions, things like asthma, ADHD, arthritis, hard of hearing, autism, etc. But often you don't hear about it until/unless it becomes debilitating.

It's worth remembering that people push through these things all the time and that there are "invisible disabilities" everywhere.

This. Adaptive/inclusive programs are wonderful and IMO should be expanded, and certainly no one should feel like they can't or shouldn't openly identify as having a disability. But staying in the "regular" sport, only mentioning individual symptoms on a need-to-know basis with coaches, etc. as opposed to openly and publicly mentioning a diagnosis or using the word "disability", and powering through everything with medical treatment and extra training (and prayer, if you're religious) is just as valid a choice.

(Not saying that directed at anyone in this thread, I've just met a few people here and there (not in skating) who seem to think that anyone with a disability must also be an activist and is practically obligated to tattoo their diagnoses on their forehead.)
 

Edwin

СделаноВХрустальном!
Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 5, 2019
It will be a tough call though. Figure skating is one of the more expensive sports due to the facilities needed and one-on-one training time.

Unless you are from a very wealthy family or live in a society where all people are indeed treated equally (read government subsidies of disabled sports) your chances of getting to a Special Olympics are small at best.

While only having very wealthy people a chance isn't the Olympic philosophy anymore, in fact money is still the only factor.
 

Ic3Rabbit

Former Elite, now Pro. ⛸️
Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 9, 2017
Country
Olympics
It will be a tough call though. Figure skating is one of the more expensive sports due to the facilities needed and one-on-one training time.

Unless you are from a very wealthy family or live in a society where all people are indeed treated equally (read government subsidies of disabled sports) your chances of getting to a Special Olympics are small at best.

While only having very wealthy people a chance isn't the Olympic philosophy anymore, in fact money is still the only factor.

Even with regular Olympic track figure skaters, not all are wealthy.
 

Vicki7

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
I've competed alongside several Special Olympic athletes, they do a lot of fundraising but have still been able to compete abroad. A competition I'm skating at in January is actually going to be a SO selection event for skating.

But what we don't have right now, is an Olympic track for skaters with physical disabilities or conditions - Special Olympics events are for those with things like autism and Down Syndrome, I believe.
 

hanyuufan5

✨**:。*
Medalist
Joined
May 19, 2018
But what we don't have right now, is an Olympic track for skaters with physical disabilities or conditions - Special Olympics events are for those with things like autism and Down Syndrome, I believe.

Yeah, this is a real shame. I was glued to the Pyeongchang Paralympics and was really disappointed that there was no figure skating. Maybe there just aren't enough physically disabled figure skaters, but I think that's probably more a matter of lack of opportunity and encouragement than lack of ability (i.e. they don't or can't try skating in the first place for whatever reason, let alone train enough to make it to the Paralympics).

Unfortunately, in addition to the IOC and the rinks, I think parents are be a big part of the problem. I've seen how some coddle even kids with milder disabilities than mine, or skaters who aren't disabled at all. My parents, on the other hand, would have sent me to physical therapy to make good and sure it wasn't something that could be treated if I ever tried to say that I couldn't do something on the ice because of my disabilities, but I think they're in a tragically small minority.
 

getupskater

Spectator
Joined
Mar 23, 2022
Hi, I’m an adult skater in the U.K. and have a visual impairment. The main issue I have is, I have around half the peripheral vision I’m supposed to, which makes certain things interesting!

I’d be interested to hear people’s experiences at their rinks. Do you have any skaters with disabilities, adaptive programs, etc? I’m part of Inclusive Skating and take part in their events, but otherwise I’m able to participate in all aspects of rink programming - shows, exhibitions etc.
Hi to everyone in this amazing forum. I am an adult skater in the U.S. and I also have a visual impairment. I lost my left eye four years ago. I have a lovely prosthetic, but I experience many of the challenges some of you have mentioned,. I have no peripheral vision on my left, depth perception, and balance has been challenging. It has taken me a few years to get comfortable on the ice again and regain my skills. I was a competitive adult skater in the U.S. Figure Skating Adult sections, nationals, and the first adult international event, and I medaled occasionally, and earned a gold medal in my division on year. I will never get back to that level, and I gave up jumping to focus on ice dancing with my coach. It's coming along! The highlight of the past year was being named of of U.S. Figure Skating's eight Get Up Ambassadors, a group of incredible people who have overcome great obstacles to move forward in life and on the ice. The monthly articles in Skating magazine featured two of us each month. If you have access to that publication, even on line, you will be encouraged by the stories. I know I am. A new group of eight Ambassadors are now being named and featured for this coming skating season. However, I am encouraged, uplifted, and inspired by many of the stories I read in this forum. Thank you!
 

Weathergal

Medalist
Joined
May 25, 2014
Hi to everyone in this amazing forum. I am an adult skater in the U.S. and I also have a visual impairment. I lost my left eye four years ago. I have a lovely prosthetic, but I experience many of the challenges some of you have mentioned,. I have no peripheral vision on my left, depth perception, and balance has been challenging. It has taken me a few years to get comfortable on the ice again and regain my skills. I was a competitive adult skater in the U.S. Figure Skating Adult sections, nationals, and the first adult international event, and I medaled occasionally, and earned a gold medal in my division on year. I will never get back to that level, and I gave up jumping to focus on ice dancing with my coach. It's coming along! The highlight of the past year was being named of of U.S. Figure Skating's eight Get Up Ambassadors, a group of incredible people who have overcome great obstacles to move forward in life and on the ice. The monthly articles in Skating magazine featured two of us each month. If you have access to that publication, even on line, you will be encouraged by the stories. I know I am. A new group of eight Ambassadors are now being named and featured for this coming skating season. However, I am encouraged, uplifted, and inspired by many of the stories I read in this forum. Thank you!
Thank you for your inspiring post! I love that you are still skating and adapting to such a challenging situation! Thank you for sharing your story. Congratulations on being named a Get Up Ambassador, and good luck as you continue to move forward!

Welcome to Golden Skate! Post long and post often!
 

Kat12

Rinkside
Joined
May 19, 2009
This is actually something I've wondered, as well. I have a friend who is blind who might like to go skating some time (she said she'd done it a few times as a kid), but I'm pretty sure that trying to skate with her holding my arm, or me skating backward holding her hands (not to mention trying to both watch behind me where we're going and watching her to make sure she's doing all right) is going to be awkward at best (especially since she's taller and heavier than I am, so it would likely be a different prospect than when she was young and was a kid hanging onto a larger parent)... but I don't know of any local rinks that have adult-size skate walkers (where I could stay close to guide her but she wouldn't have to be actually hanging onto me, so accidents would be less likely).
 

Vicki7

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
When you say your friend is blind, does she have any vision at all, or is she blind with no light perception? The reason I ask is it can be a challenge for people with vision loss at the more severe end of the scale, to find their balance on skates at first.

There is equipment out there for adults - we have some at my rink that 2 friends use. One lady is blind in one eye with severe visual impairment in the other, and the other lady has issues resulting from a serious leg injury so sometimes needs the support of the frame.

You may want to look for a specialist adaptive skating program and reach out, if there’s one close enough to you. If not, I’d recommend having your friend hold the barrier with one hand, while you are on her other side, that way you can offer support and still skate forwards.
 

desertskates

Medalist
Joined
Nov 19, 2013
Just want pop in and tip my hat to you skaters who are working through some very tough stuff to be on the ice, and especially to you, getupskater! I had to look up your story and I'm so impressed by your perseverance. :clap:
I can speak from my own experience in the last year just how important vision is to balance. Last summer, I got a viral inner ear infection that caused complete loss of the vestibular nerve on that side, meaning my brain gets no balance signal from that ear. I learned and had to put into practice that vision + proprioception will take over and provide that sense of where I am. Vision being the key here. I challenge anyone to close your eyes and try to bounce up and down on one foot :) And wacky balance on the ice is a very strange feeling to get used to. So much patience is required.
Anyone skating with a visual impairment has a strong mind, strong body, and amazing reflexes. And my utmost respect.
Keep going, and enjoy your time on the rink!
 

Kat12

Rinkside
Joined
May 19, 2009
When you say your friend is blind, does she have any vision at all, or is she blind with no light perception? The reason I ask is it can be a challenge for people with vision loss at the more severe end of the scale, to find their balance on skates at first.

There is equipment out there for adults - we have some at my rink that 2 friends use. One lady is blind in one eye with severe visual impairment in the other, and the other lady has issues resulting from a serious leg injury so sometimes needs the support of the frame.

You may want to look for a specialist adaptive skating program and reach out, if there’s one close enough to you. If not, I’d recommend having your friend hold the barrier with one hand, while you are on her other side, that way you can offer support and still skate forwards.
Completely blind from birth, yes. I think she'd be up for the challenge of trying to skate some time-- that's a good idea to have her hang onto the side. (You would think that should have occurred to me...)
 

gliese

Final Flight
Joined
Oct 31, 2020
Country
United-States
I work with adaptive at my rink. I also have a couple mental disabilities myself.

For those who are blind we usually have them hold onto the wall with one or both hands until they feel comfortable walking by themselves with only one hand on the boards. We then look for an empty spot on the ice to teach falling and then have them march to us while we are clapping.

When skating with them, always continue making some form of noise so they know that you haven't left them.
 

Kat12

Rinkside
Joined
May 19, 2009
I work with adaptive at my rink. I also have a couple mental disabilities myself.

For those who are blind we usually have them hold onto the wall with one or both hands until they feel comfortable walking by themselves with only one hand on the boards. We then look for an empty spot on the ice to teach falling and then have them march to us while we are clapping.

When skating with them, always continue making some form of noise so they know that you haven't left them.
Do they eventually progress to skating without the wall or holding onto a guide?

If I took my friend, we would likely be chatting the whole time, so she'll know I haven't left her, and also knows I wouldn't anyway (I assume that's more of a concern in a group situation, though).
 

Arbitrary

Medalist
Joined
Sep 5, 2018
I rememeber there was an american movie (80th or early 90th) about a young female skater. She was 95% or so blind and skated mostly memorising her starting position on ice. People didn't know she's practically blind, only her boyfriend and close relatives.

Every one understood something is wrong when she fell on thrown flowers (unknown obstacle) after the end of her routine. Very dramatic movie, yet I'm in doubt it's possible.
 

Talionis

Rinkside
Joined
Mar 19, 2022
I rememeber there was an american movie (80th or early 90th) about a young female skater. She was 95% or so blind and skated mostly memorising her starting position on ice. People didn't know she's practically blind, only her boyfriend and close relatives.

Every one understood something is wrong when she fell on thrown flowers (unknown obstacle) after the end of her routine. Very dramatic movie, yet I'm in doubt it's possible.
Ice Castles. Definitely a few plot holes, but it was a nice movie. I saw it with my Dad as a kid when we couldn't get in to see Superman.
 

WednesdayMarch

Nicer When Fed
Medalist
Joined
Mar 24, 2019
Country
United-Kingdom
I rememeber there was an american movie (80th or early 90th) about a young female skater. She was 95% or so blind and skated mostly memorising her starting position on ice. People didn't know she's practically blind, only her boyfriend and close relatives.

Every one understood something is wrong when she fell on thrown flowers (unknown obstacle) after the end of her routine. Very dramatic movie, yet I'm in doubt it's possible.
The thing there is that she was sighted when she learned to skate, but had a freak accident which caused her sight loss. Learning to skate to that standard whilst blind would be an immense challenge. I was very short-sighted as a teenager and remember the terror of having to learn my programs minus my specs, which would fly off at inopportune moments. Terror just about covers it. As soon as my optician okayed contact lenses, I was so relieved!
 
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