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By Lynn Webb
The Valley Chronicle
When looking for a fitness and recreation program geared for their special needs children, Hemet residents Erica Sandoval and Sue Marabito struck out.
Sandoval, who has an 8-year-old daughter with autism, and Marabito, who has a son, 20, with Down Syndrome, could not find a program in the San Jacinto Valley that met their children's needs.
So, in 2005, Sandoval, who is certified in youth fitness training, and Marabito, who is a fitness trainer at the Powerhouse Gym in San Jacinto, started a fitness and recreation program for children and young adults with special needs.
The program is called Exceptionally Excited Kids Fitness, or EEK. It offers classes in swimming, aerobics, martial arts, and bowling, and it meets at different days and locations in the valley.
Sandoval and Marabito each teach the classes, except for the martial arts, which is taught by Marabito's husband, Joe.
Those who attend the classes come with a wide range of disabilities and needs.
"We have quite a few with CP (Cerebral Palsy) and several that are developmentally delayed." Sandoval said.
Sandoval said she encourages parents to not just drop off their children, but to participate and get involved.
Maggie Gutierrez, whose 8-year-old son, Juan, participates in the weekly programs, enjoys helping.
"I like to be a part of it too, and I like to exercise," said Gutierrez, who was helping at an aerobics class last Friday.
Gutierrez said her son - who has a speech impediment and Prader-Willi Syndrome, which affect the body's muscle tone and metabolism - like the program because he feels like he fits in.
"He feels like he's not the only one with a disability," she said.
Marabito said the program, is good for parents too. They can share their experiences with one another and find support.
It also helps when parents find others whose children have the same disability as theirs, Marabito said.
That happened with Gutierrez, who met another mother who has a child with Prader-Willi. The moms were so excited said Marabito, adding: Prader-Willi is very rare.
James Monk, 25, who is mentally challenged, likes the exercise program. "I like the swimming pool. I like basketball with my new friends," James said.
Mike, James' father, said, "He really likes it because these people are his friends."
The program also has its own basketball team, The Philly's. The team, is coached by Sandoval's husband, Victor, played February though April. The team will start up again around November.
The schedule of classes includes martial arts at 5:15 p.m. for children and 6:30 p.m. for young adults and their parents, both on Tuesdays at Valle Vista Assembly of God Church, at 45252 E. Florida Ave. in Hemet; family bowling at 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Suindays at 3 p.m. at AMF Hemet Bowl, at 2850 W. Florida Ave. in Hemet, swimming at 3:15 p.m. Thursdays at the Powerhouse Gym in San Jacinto; and aerobics at 4 p.m. Friday at the Powerhouse Gym.
The cost is $10 per class. Parents can also pay $40 a month for swimming and aerobics that will include 8 classes.
Sandoval said she and Marabito would eventually like to have their own facility to offer their programs. "We hope to open our own gym for everyone with special needs," she said.
On September 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EEK will hold "Special Day for Special Kids," organized by Sandoval at the Valle Vista Assembly of God Church.
This event is designed to raise awareness of children with special needs. It will feature information booths, including one from the Down Syndrome Association of Hemet. Also, Kids of Widney High, a band made up of people with special needs, will preform, and Jennifer Kumiyama, Miss Wheelchair California runner-up, will attend.
For information about EEK, call Erica Sandoval at 375-6906 or Sue Marabito 491-5598
4:46 PM
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