We all make mistakes. When things don't go exactly right in the parenting department, I apologize to my children. I want them to know that no one is perfect and that is OK. I usually say, 'Mommy is still learning how to (fill in the blank).' or I model calming breaths and invite them to try. I want them to know we don't have to have it all figured out today.
I want them to know, I'm still learning. Aren't we all? One term in particular within the disability community references this so well. Inchstones are the gradual and intermittent accomplishments within the broader frame of developmental achievements as opposed to milestones which are larger targets. This term is not discoverable in an official dictionary. It's powerful nonetheless, and for parents who are watching for small changes and progress, inchstones are exciting. It can look like pronouncing a sound that has been hard to come by or a change in how a pencil is grasped. In physical education it might be standing on one foot a few seconds longer or letting go of a hand that was needed for balance. It's learning to cross a ball on the field without a prompt. The in between moments deserve to be recognized. It's OK if you didn't do this thing yet, look what you can do! Each small step towards individual goals is marked with cheers and celebrations as a milestone might be. Children with disabilities are working exceptionally hard at accomplishing what others might find easy. The varying degrees of difficulty are tied to each student's diagnosis and specific goal plans. Each of these, no matter how large or small, is a wonder to behold, and we celebrate our children as their hard work and dedication result in inchstones. I'm declaring Inchstones the word of the year for 2024 and we will be there watching for these moments and working with you to help achieve these exciting goals for your athletes all year long! See you in 2024!!!
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Stepping into the Executive Director position at the beloved adaptive sports organization Beautiful People has been exhilarating! In my inaugural month, I reflected on the history of Beautiful People and pondered the question: What is beautiful? Katie O'Leary, our program coordinator extraordinaire, and I met to discuss the challenges and successes of the last six months. Jan Brunkhorst filled me in on her tenure and Mary Williams walked me through the previous four years filled with the hard work and dedication of so many. The high-energy and well-established people component of Beautiful People is so evident and poignant. We are a core community represented (this past year in particular) by 200 volunteers, ten coaches, and hundreds of athletes participating with a raging river of joy running through it all. Further, I contemplated: What is beautiful? I have never seen beauty as clearly as I do from this perch. The beauty of volunteers standing at the check-in on a frigid Sunday morning, smiling at each friend and athlete as they enter the field. The tenacity of our coaches, standing close by and at the ready and family members and fans excitedly watching from the sidelines. The whole room fills with joy when our cheerleaders raise their pom poms with ear-to-ear smiles, and our Board members walk through the event corridors with pride as they relish in all the hard work and achievements. As 2023 nears an end, the definition is crystal clear. Every person who joins the effort—each giving in the ways of their time, talent, dollars, and energy- brings something beautiful. The hard work our athletes put forward every practice, the friendships that have formed over the years, and the community brewing in every corner of the county (with some traveling great distances to be together) are a sight to behold. Thank you for the warm welcome and the shared history, thoughts, and ideas to date. I am so excited about the work we will do together. It's an honor to be here standing next to you. And, if no one told you today, you are beautiful. Warmly, Stefanie Kostenblatt, Executive Director Phone Number: 845-401-7576 |
AuthorStefanie Kostenblatt, Executive Director Archives
March 2024
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