Joslyn Sessel, 14, of Farmington Hills gets some final touches from her mom,
Robin, before going out on the ice.

Birmingham Ice Arena. Volunteers
join them on the ice to train and
coach.
Joslyn's two sisters, Jaclyn, 12, and
Jordyn, 10, volunteer and help other
skaters, but they usually have an eye
on their sister.
During the recent Special Olympics,
Joslyn earned two third-place ribbons.
"It's so exciting for us to see Joslyn
put on a costume and be part of some-
thing — so seldom is she able to do
that," says her mother, Robin Sessel.
"It's a joy for us to see, and when she
smiles it's a big deal."
Jennifer and Stephen Johnson of
Southfield are siblings who compete
regionally as a figure skating team. But
on Sundays, after attending religious
school at the Jewish Parents Institute
in West Bloomfield, they head for the
ice rink to teach and coach skaters
from FAR.
"I help Crystal do her routines and
help her get better," said Jennifer, 12.
"It's good to get experience with
sports. They're treated the same, so
they're not any different. This has
made me look at people like that dif-
ferently: I feel like I'm doing a mitz-
vah."
Stephen, 16, coaches some of the
participants and served as a judge dur-
ing the recent Special Olympics.
"My friend did it, and I thought it'd
be cool because I could become a
coach and get experience," Stephen
said. "I'm good working with kids and

I enjoy teaching — and they are so
happy. They want you back next week.
When you're done, you feel like you've
really done something."
Their mother, Beth Johnson, is at
the rink everyday after school when
they practice. She knows how good
the sport is for her children, but this
volunteer experience has added anoth-
er layer.
"I think it's neat what they do on
Sundays," she said. "It amazes me that
they just love it. They're able to be
comfortable with special-needs adults,
who just go out and show what they
know and are so excited being part of
the Special Olympics.
"They cheer each other on. They are
supportive and love each other. They
don't care what place they get — other
kids need to learn from that. There are
no tears.
"You hear so many stories about
troubled kids these days, and there are
so many good kids out there doing so
much," Johnson says. "It's very heart-
warming. I've seen my kids skate so
much, but with this they are giving
back what they know, not just sitting
around playing video games."
And the individuals with special
needs gain much more than ribbons.
"It's a wonderful social experience as
well as helpful to her physically," says
Abbey's mother, Barbara Katchke of
Southfield. "She loves it and she feels
good about how she did, and that's
what counts."

❑

Michael Courtright, 27, of Rochester Hills chats with volunteer Stephen Johnson,
16, of Southfield.

ring her figure skating competitio
s doing u."
Abbey Katc
then has a small spill, but she got right up and finished her program:

2/24
2005

23