Above: Coach Mary and Special Olympics skaters at Special Olympics Michigan
By Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz
Finding new ways to teach skating skills is something every coach understands.
Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club coach Mary Gorgen Johanson knows the challenge of teaching new skills all too well. In fact, one particular challenge a few years back brought her to her work with Special Olympics skaters today and some of her most rewarding moments in coaching.
“We had a young skater come from another program in town,” Johanson said. “He was then on the Basic 4 badge. His mom wanted him to have lessons, but he was on the spectrum. I took him on as a student.”
Teaching this young man was nothing short of a challenge, especially when he had to learn the rotation for a three-turn. Johanson, a 25-year coach at Ann Arbor, teaches students from three through young adults. She was all in for this new task to find the perfect technique.
“We had to teach him that skill without using our regular tools because he didn’t want anyone to touch him,” Johanson said. “You must find different ways to teach these students, and that’s the challenge and what I love.”
Soon another young girl on the autism spectrum joined the club, prompting one of the moms to look into possibly having these skaters compete in Special Olympics.
Johanson was asked to help start a program and they were off and running.
“We are so fortunate at Ann Arbor,” Johanson said. “We have skates and outfits that are donated to our adaptive skaters. We also have a weekly adaptive skating class. We’ve continued to grow our program..”
To prepare the skaters for Special Olympics Michigan, volunteer coaches at the club work with skaters to help them create programs for the event. Skaters also attend group classes once a week.
For Johanson, working with the Special Olympic skaters is gratifying just watching the skaters’ joy. She still remembers watching one of the skaters at a competition, and as the young girl was performing, the volunteer EMT workers on the sidelines were sobbing.
“You could see the confidence and freedom skating provides through their eyes, which was very special,” Johanson said. “It’s such a special time for them. You go with them to a competition, and you can’t help but feel inspired and want to do more.”
And do more she did.
Last year Johanson began a skating program near and dear to her heart; a unified synchro team composed of half Special Olympics skaters and half juvenile, novice and junior skaters.
“They’ve done exhibitions and also went to Midwestern sectionals this past year to compete, and the event has been newly approved for Special Olympics Winter Games,” Johanson said.
Johanson aims to get the Unified Hockettes team to the Special Olympics World Winter Games.
“We’re seeing a more inclusive program and club now.”
Her advocacy for Special Olympics and special needs students is never-ending. Along with the unified team, Johanson is working on introducing a classification system for physically disabled skaters.
All for magical moments such as the Skating Spectacular at the 2019 US Figure Skating Championships in Detroit.
Johanson remembered how her student Alex Meints was asked to skate at the event and chose the rousing “Respect” by Aretha Franklin for his program.
“We went to the practice, and all the national champions from the Detroit area were on the ice practicing for the spectacular like Madison Chock and Evan Bates and Meryl Davis and Charlie White,” Johanson said. “When Alex’s music started playing, they all stopped to watch him, and the applause when he finished was deafening. All those amazing champions actually backed up to the wall and watched him skate, and when he was finished, they all wanted to get a picture with him.”
For Johanson, it was perhaps that moment, more than any, that impacted her, and in the future, she would love to see more clubs begin new adaptive skating programs and promote their Special Olympics skaters.
“We need to encourage people,” Johanson said. “To let them know we are here.”
