Personal coaching boosts blind faith

By KATHERINE HOBY

Put Tamati Pearse in water and the shy blind boy shines.

The 7-year-old from Birkenhead is one of more than 100 special needs children in Auckland who are benefiting from one-on-one YMCA coaching in sports activities.

His mother Fleur Pollitt says the swimming lessons have transformed Tamati.

He began learning to swim when just 4 months old, to free his body up, she says.

The individual lessons, which began recently, have made all the difference to his confidence, stature and personality.

"In classes he got frustrated and had to wait his turn. He was with fully sighted kids and they just learn differently.

"He is much better off by himself. An instructor can physically show him what they want done, instead of saying 'straight arms like this'. I mean, what does straight mean to a blind boy?"

Fleur Pollitt is grateful to the instructors who coach her son.

"They are so patient and gentle with the kids," she says.

"With swimming it is just him [Tamati], his instructor and the water.

"He's fearless. It has increased his confidence a million times."

Tamati has come a long way since he first ventured into a pool, she says.

"If you can imagine him when he was a boy, just like a wee paua stuck to you, and you see him now ... he's an absolute water baby."

Despite Tamati's struggle to learn in a group, his mother says the swimming pool is a great leveller.

Tamati and his 5-year-old sighted brother Michael romp and play in the pool like any siblings.

"It is something he can do with his brother without being tentative or uncertain," says Fleur Pollitt.

"He can be even-stevens, equal. His brother doesn't give him any quarter when they race or play, and he wouldn't dream of asking for any."

She says that through races, competitions and events such as the blind games, Tamati can feel like a normal, fully participating member of society.

"A lot of special needs people feel they don't contribute."

Tamati, who has had many operations, can differentiate light and dark some days.

"This is the thing he looks forward to most," says Fleur Pollitt. "I, of course, cringe when he runs full tilt and jumps into the pool.

"But he has no fear and in the pool is the only time he can really be free."

YMCA Tepid Baths swimming coach Bronwyn Hampson says special needs kids can benefit from mixing with other children.

"But there comes a point when the coach cannot give enough attention to any one particular child, or that child draws too much attention away from the others.

"When that happens there is a need for one-on-one sessions."

A coach must talk to special needs children all the time.

"That way they know where you are and have the confidence to respond."

Other special needs children are taking part in aerobics, gymnastics and outdoor pursuits. Their individual coaching is paid for by a YMCA Youth Scholarship Fund.

YMCA chief executive John Fairhurst says families with special needs children can be exempt from the extra cost of individual coaching.

Last year, the fund helped 145 children, ranging in age from 6 months to teenagers. That number has already been exceeded this year.

Tamati is reluctant to get out of the pool at the end of lessons, says Fleur Pollitt.

"He is such a happy wee chappie - this has done that for him."