Today I Learned That Penguins CAN Fly!
Did you buy your red mitten pattern yet? This is where the $5 pattern cost is going….to support the Penguins Can Fly swim team.
I had the pleasure today of going to the YMCA to watch the Penguins Can Fly swim team in action, and boy….do they swim fast! When they are all swimming in the water, it is impossible to distinguish which swimmers are disabled, and which are not. The wonderful thing about this swim team is that they celebrate the ABILITY of each and every swimmer. “They are kids, being kids, having fun and working hard” said Vicki Keith, their coach and mentor.
YMCA Penguins and coaches
Photo Credit: Hippo
Lap after lap they swam while I chatted with Vicki. She told me about the team, and how some of the swimmers are preparing for the Ontario Parasport Games which will take place in Kingston on Jan 22nd – 24th. The swimming events will be at RMC on the 23rd. If you are in the area, stop by, cheer for the Penguins at the pool, and catch a game of wheel chair basketball or wheel chair rugby in the gym. Vicki said that wheel chair rugby is something that everyone should see once in their lives! I’m planning on going. I’ll be the one knitting in the crowd.
Here's B. a penguin, and excellent mitten model
The Penguins were pleased to hear about the money being raised for their program. So far 84 mitten patterns have been sold, earning them $420! Thanks to you generous knitters, more YMCA Penguins will be learning to fly here in Kingston.
Tags: charity knitting, knitting, knitting olympics, mittens, Penguins Can Fly, vancouver 2010
