Figure skating coach Olga Ņečajeva does wonders — she teaches skating to children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. The classes for children with disabilities—this is a therapy, treatment, rehabilitation, and a possibility to get rid of fear, pain, and the feeling that nobody needs them. Children start to walk, speak, and communicate better.
These children are incredibly lucky to have the possibility to attend the sports club, put on the skates and work under a professional coach. Olga’s students have been diagnosed with various illnesses: autism, cerebral palsy, Asperger syndrome, brain damage, developmental disorders, etc. Olga does not sort children according to their diagnosis. She simply loves them.
In addition to regular exercising, Olga’s students also participate in international figure skating competitions for children with special needs. Currently, Olga dreams to prepare her team for Special Olympics in January 2023.
There are students of different ages in TWIZZLE, the club that Olga founded. Training takes place in Riga and Liepaja, and all students with special needs train for free. Actually, their parents even do not have a possibility to pay for the classes as all funds are used to maintain children’s health.
There are many parents who have recently contacted Olga as they have learned about this unique possibility. The number will grow if we support these classes.
It is important to note that the coach does everything herself—she organizes participation in competitions, submits applications, creates and prepares programmes, looks for fundings to cover rent and travel expenses. There is no sponsorship, nor governmental support.