THE BUDDING ATHLETE

Today was the Southern zone school athletics, where all the children from 6 Southland schools, including Myross Bush School, participate in athletics. The 5 & 6 year olds don't do proper athletics they do take offs like tossing small bean bags instead of shotput, jumping over 2 ropes on the ground instead of long jump etc.

Corbin and all the rest of his classmates were all very excited to be participating - it is a highlight of the school year for most of the children. Corbin, bless his little heart, has no idea that there is no way he can do any of the running or jumping events the same as the rest of the children - He just thinks his version of long jump (ie crawling over the ropes) is what you are meant to be doing and he truly believes he is competitive with his peers. For the running events Corbin had decided to crawl rather than use his wheelchair, he had told me that this was because "I can't go fast enough in my wheelchair" (ie self propelling the chair on the grass is not an easy job for a very small 6 year old).

Anyway, on our way to the athletics stadium this morning Corbin said to me "Would you give me a treat if I win my running race?" I chuckled to myself and said "I'll think about it....."

Ironically, my beautiful Miss Livee, who has all the ability in the world, does not have a competitive bone in her body nor the desire to do well at athletics and hence would rather almost "skip" the 100m race than even attempt to use her God given ability!!! If only I could unite Corbins character and determination with his sisters ability - I would have one awesome athlete........