Special Skater

[sk8Joyful]

What is the difference, if any, between "Special Skater", & "Special Olympic figure skaters"?
It said: "Special Skater Free Skate events are open to any skater with a disability, including mental and physical challenges."

Some condition that was officially diagnosed, or is it any physical condition putting a skater at a distinct disadvantage? Who would determine that?

[Isk8NYC]

The ISI and USFSA have "Special Skater" tests that they administer.  At competitions, those skaters can enter their own events and compete against other disadvantaged skaters.  The ISI offers synchro, showcase and couples events as well as singles skating for those skaters.  It's very inspiring to watch and I'm always impressed.

Special Olympics has their OWN figure skating program.  They include figure skating events at their Special Olympics competitions.

For the rules on what constitutes/verifies a disability, you'd have to check with the coordinators of those programs.  The contact information is listed on each organizations' website.

[FSWer]

I was just reading what sk8joyful wrote. Isn't special skater short for Special Olympics Skater?

If not, do both train skaters to do reg. Pairs?

I have always been interested to know if that Program trains skaters to be Pairs Skaters like any other skaters who want to do it ?

[Isk8NYC]

Check this out from the USFSA website:

Figure Skating Equipment
Are you interested in figure skating equipment for your Special Olympics athlete?

Riedell Boots, Inc. in Minnesota has offered "Special Athlete" skating boots and blades at wholesale prices.
...
Harlick, another boot company, located in California, is also a partner in our Special Olympic program.

(For contact info, go to: http://www.usfigureskating.org/Shell.asp?sid=33441 )

Bravo for Riedell and Harlick!  I wonder if Jackson offers similar pricing since their boots are a little wider, which might fit these athletes as well?

[Isk8NYC]

I have always been interested to know if that Program trains skaters to be Pairs Skaters like any other skaters who want to do it ?

You'd have to ask the coordinators.  I'll gather the links for you in another post.

I was just reading what sk8joyful wrote. Isn't specail skater short for Specail Olympics Skater? If not. Do both train skaters to do reg. Pairs?

I always thought they were one and the same, but I attended a workshop last year where they explained that there are different programs: the ISI's, the USFSA's and Special Olympics itself.  I think the USFSA's programs are the same as the Special Olympics.

[Isk8NYC]

USFSA's Special Olympics/Therapeutic Skating
http://www.usfigureskating.org/Programs.asp?id=364

USFSA Basic Skills Tests: http://www.usfigureskating.org/Programs.asp?id=47
•Specials Olympics Badge Program
•Therapeutic 1-14

These are the Special Olympics tests, which seem to blend the Basic Skills badges into the USFSA's standard track.
Special Olympics Tests
• Free Skate Test Rules
• Moves in the Field Test Rules
• Dance Test Rules

(Hmmm, dance - that's a great idea to get a skater started if they have physical issues.)


Ice Skating Institute (ISI) Program:
• Special Skater Test Requirements
I didn't see pairs listed, but they did have a couples event at the ISI Adult Championships earlier this year.
http://www.skateisi.com/site/sub.cfm?content=adult_championships_results_2010b
(The test requirements are a little different for couples than pairs, but both are really fun to skate with a partner.)
There's an article here about the program: http://www.skateisi.com/site/Sub.Cfm?content=Archive_SpecialSkaterProgram

[Isk8NYC]

Special Olympics' Figure Skating Information:
http://www.specialolympics.org/figure_skating.aspx

They do offer pairs, FSWer!

• Figure Skating Rules, Protocol and Etiquette

[sk8Joyful]

In this manual: http://www.usfigureskating.org/content/SO-therapeutic-manual.pdf -
it says: "Purpose
Doctors, in increasing number, have been suggesting to patients who are recovering from accidents,
heart attacks, and other disabilities that ice skating may help them."

They state some of the conditions, as to: Who Can Benefit
Persons with a wide range of handicaps, including those who sustain injuries and who are temporarily
impaired, may benefit from regular ice skating exercise with the permission of their attending physicians.
Among these are the following:
1. The mentally (removed)
2. Those with cerebral palsy
3. Those who have had knee and ankle injuries, especially if adapted devises are used
4. Those who have had surgery for hip joint disease to correct the condition
5. Those who have sideways curvature of the spine, if corrected by the use of a brace
6. Those who have bad posture, balance difficulties, or problems with coordination
7. Those who need body conditioning
8. Senior citizens
9. Those who have had heart surgery
10. Those who have psychological problems
11. Those who are blind, with orientation and guidance
12. Those who are deaf, with visual guidance
13. Amputees, when fitted with corrective skating equipment
14. Those recovering from chemical dependencies

I know alot of people with these (above) challenges, and some were they given this chance, I know would too enjoy   skating...

[sk8Joyful]

Overcoming: 1. baad Posture, & 2. (stress-caused) Adrenal-complications, those 2 are enough of a monkey-wrench.  When I get Stressed too much, my bloodsugar plummets!, I can't see, (particularly on the ice)    sigh. We need more-Skilled, coaches, accepting people where currently Individuals are, so we too can our dreams Achieve... 

[Isk8NYC]

Contact the Special Olympics/Special Skater coordinators listed on the websites if you're interested in the programs.  I believe, however, that they are all coached through private lessons.  I remember Sandy Lamb saying that there's a real need for volunteer coaches because most special skaters cannot afford the cost of private lessons.  IIRC, Mennan Arena in New Jersey has a huge program that matches up volunteer coaches with skaters.  (I volunteered for it one season, many years ago.)  That's where I saw the Special Synchro team - at one of their competitions.

[sk8Joyful]

"The Therapeutic Badge Program is designed to help physically challenged skaters develop skills and enhance their skating experience. Assisted is with the help of a person." Well, every skater, who has a coach, is by said Coach "assisted"  I bet, every Rink could easily have 2 coaches, who could facilitate Student success with these USFSA's Therapeutic 1-14 skills. There is also a decisive difference, between (really permanent, requiring GOD for a miracle), and a temporary condition, that given enough time & passion & skills, most skaters CAN overcome 

[Isk8NYC]

The truth is that there aren't enough volunteers, so there's probably a waiting list for clients/wannabe skaters. 

Posting selective parts of their documents doesn't get you anywhere.  You have to actually contact the coordinators for information about programs in your area. 

[drskater]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing. It also may be worth noting that some figure skating clubs offer a "Special Skater" category of membership. Perhaps this is worth checking out with your local club.

[Isk8NYC]

This is neither here nor there, but the latest "Skating" magazine reported that Michelle Kwan was named to the Board of the International Special Olympics organization.

[FigureSpins]

I know this is a little dated, but it was intriguing.  Lake Placid Skating is offering an "Adaptive Basic Skills" program to mainstream skaters with special needs.  They even help with the equipment.

http://www.lakeplacidnews.com/page/blogs.detail/display/39/Skating-Club-of-Lake-Placid-launching-Adaptive-Basic-Skills-Program.html

http://www.lakeplacidnews.com/page/content.detail/id/503303/Lake-Placid-Skate-Club-gives-kids-a-fun-time-on-the-ice.html?nav=5005

[AgnesNitt]

I just wanted to mention that Mount Vernon Ice Rink in Mt Vernon, VA, has a very active special skater program. My friend the Big Guy used to volunteer for it.