Susan SimmonsB次元官网网址� carefully curated safe space on zoom marks a year this month.

A swim coach of Special Olympics athletes, she immediately determined the coronavirus pandemic lockdown of spring 2020 could have dire effects on physical and social health. Simmons saw residents across Greater Victoria hunker down, shelter, and take care of themselves.

All meeting were put on hold, including Special Olympics training gatherings, which she knew were more than just a physical fitness routine.

RELATED:

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e highly social folks and the socializing and networking happens at the exercise programs,B次元官网网址� she said.

Simmons always arrived an hour ahead of swim practice at Crystal Pool, just to check in with people as individuals. B次元官网网址淪ometimes we were talking about things like challenges they were having in their commute, things they were struggling with.B次元官网网址�

She figured a Zoom meeting could B次元官网网址渇eed two birds with one seedB次元官网网址� if she melded the social and exercise components.

B次元官网网址淚 knew the lure would be connecting with their friends,B次元官网网址� she said with a chuckle. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all about being healthy physically and mentally.B次元官网网址�

It started seven nights a week B次元官网网址� now five B次元官网网址� and over the course of the year, members have broken down over worry about friends and family, shared anxieties but also the joys of their days and lives.

READ ALSO:

There are consistently 12-18 people on the calls. While most are from Greater Victoria, word of mouth has led to people from Powell River, Nanaimo, Ladysmith and Vancouver sometimes taking part.

The calls start with 15 minutes to get online and check in with each other, then 30 to 45 minutes of exercise, then another 45 minutes of chatter. Plus thereB次元官网网址檚 a monthly dance.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty amazing to watch how theyB次元官网网址檝e grown into a group of people that support one another,B次元官网网址� Simmons said. Conversation and support continues outside the Zoom room.

Caregiver Linda Turner sees the way Simmons set up the calls as inspiring an B次元官网网址渁mazingB次元官网网址� transformation in her charge and others.

Those not usually verbal now feel safe sharing thoughts and opinions. The Zoom calls inspire each athlete in their own way B次元官网网址� getting them talking, thinking and interacting.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 making them very much feel that their opinion matters, and giving them the ability to voice them,B次元官网网址� Turner said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 amazing the difference it makes.B次元官网网址�

Individuals are also developing skills to take with them as they move forward in life B次元官网网址� with the coach assigning roles such as squad leader, someone to lead stretches, and a Zoom manager.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty fun to watch them grow as a community and as individuals,B次元官网网址� Simmons said. B次元官网网址淭his is the type of programming where you truly have value; where it goes beyond the moment in time youB次元官网网址檙e in the space with that person, whether in person or with Zoom.B次元官网网址�

Do you have a story tip? Email: c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca.

Follow us on and Instagram, and like us on