Smiles were wide as athletes from Special Olympics Ontario London (SOO) took to the ice to join Disney on Ice dancers. The event included the two groups participating in drills and skating exercises to showcase their talents. Diane Lavell and her son Ben Austin are new additions to the SOO and are happy to have joined a London community so focused on kinship and athleticism.
Lavell and Austin are new to the SOO team as Ben is still young but is excited to jump into the community that she believes the team has formed. “It’s a little bit different for us so it’s nice to be amongst parents that understand what our stories are like,” says Lavell, “it really feels like you come home when you see all these people come out here so i’m looking forward to years and years of special olympics.”
Lavell sees the special olympics team as a great opportunity for Ben to grow and learn with his peers. “Some of the activities at school were a little bit challenging for him so we’re always looking for new ways for him to find community” she continues. The additional care that looking after a child with special needs brings can also be paired with a worry that some may not understand. Diane is comforted by the community that deals with similar situations as her daily routine. “Sometimes your worried about what’s going to happen with your kid on the ice but this is a place where everybody gets that. Just immediately you have that sense of relaxing a little more and knowing that everybody understands what this is all about and them having different needs.”
Disney on Ice skaters join SOO London on the ice to learn some moves.
The Disney on Ice event created another opportunity for the large SOO London community to meet as a group. Diane Lavell was able to have one of her first chances to meet a lot of the community at the meet up.
Disney on Ice skater Nicholas Donaldson exclaimed his excitement at the days event saying “It’s amazing to see everyone come out in figure skates, hockey skates and I’ve never seen speed skates on the ice before which is pretty cool. It’s really nice that everybody could come and join us and have a special afternoon.”
Developing a strong community like the SOO has proven necessary for Diane as she states, “It’s very important. I know sometimes we feel like we need community, in terms of parents raising children with special needs.”
The days event ended with a special surprise appearance from Mickey and Minnie Mouse who joined the skaters to see what they had learned.
Disney on Ice performances continue in London until March 3rd.
WATCH: Disney on Ice meets the London Special Olympics Team
