Thanks

A gigantic thanks to all the sponsors we had had this year!

CGC Training Camp

Some of the girls had a chance to go to Calgary Gymnastics Center this past weekend to train with their competitive team.

From The Carlson Family

Dear Salta coaches, parents and athletes,

Well it’s been almost two months since Syd took her unfortunate fall off the beam. As a family we have had to overcome the initial shock of the incident and are currently focusing on her recovery. We seem to have solved the hair-washing dilemma and with each day that passes our nervousness and anxiety levels are returning to normal. Just recently Syd decided to give her halo a nickname of sorts. After some contemplation she decided upon the name PITA. When asked why she wanted to call it PITA she replied, “It stands for pain in the a**.” We figured after all she has been through one or two swear words were forgivable.

Syd has now completed four sessions of halo adjustments and is hopefully only going to need two more. October 21st is the date set for removal of her halo (of course the doc will have the final say on this decision) which will be followed by physiotherapy. We understand that we have a long road to travel but Sydney has not altered her position on returning to gymnastics. She has even told her grandmother, “it is not IF she will return, it is WHEN she will return.” She is a determined young lady who has turned her situation into a chance to pursue other talents she possesses. For those of you who are not aware she has created her own small jewelry business entitled Gymhalo Jewels. She has also had the opportunity to frequent the theatre several times, read every gymnastic magazine and book Eva owns and socialize with gym and school friends.


This experience has also enlightened our family. We have had to rely on one another more than ever and survive each others frustrations. We have also recognized just how fortunate we are. Our halo toting daughter has been blessed to be surrounded by so many angels at Salta. Words alone can not express our appreciation and gratitude to each and every one of you. Your continued support and friendship are playing a vital role in her recovery.



Forever thankful,

The Carlson Family

Sponsor Picture

We are taking a picture for the sponsors on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 4:30pm. It is required that ALL competitive athletes be here for it Boys, Girls, and Pre-Competitive. Girls- please wear your favorite gymsuit. Boys- shorts and a t-shirt.

See you there with your smiles!

Hawaii Meeting

Attention All Parents who are going to the Hawaii Meet!!!

We will all be meeting tomorrow at 8pm. If you are planning on going it is important that you try to make it as some decisions need to be made as a group. There will be more information handed out as well.

See you there!

Board Meeting

Don't forget the board meeting taking place on September 18th, 2008!

New Groups for 08/09

Jamie

Amber
Brianna
Kinley
Blake



Kristin

Tenille
Madison
Mackenzie
Kalista
Tiana
Samantha
Courtney

Kayla

Tayler
Brittany
Brooklyn
Erica
Shandler
Jadyn
Kayla


Eva and Becca
Sydney
Tiana
Alysha M.
Alysha S.
Olivia
Jaslyn
Laurel
Sheehan

A Journey to Remember

In her own words, Sydney tells her story.






A Journey To Remember
by
Sydney Carlson



It was my last turn to try and make the best round off back tuck on that day of July 17th, 2008, so I put my arms by my ears, my right foot in front of me with my toes pointed and my legs straight. I lifted my leg, put my hands on the beam and kicked my feet over top of my head. It was at that moment when I realized that stinkin left foot was just not going to meet the beam, but even though it wasn’t going to I was still going to try my hardest to use all the power in my right leg to make the back tuck all the way around and stick it and that’s just what I did but unfortunately I missed the all the way around part and landed on my neck. That’s when I heard it, the crunching of my C5 and C6 vertebrae. I wasn’t quite sure what to think, should I yell for help or should I get so frustrated that I could just not contain myself? That’s when I chose to yell for ice and began to stand up when one of my coaches, Kayla Whipple, who is also training to become a paramedic told me to lay down and DON’T MOVE!!! It was at that moment that I began my journey of courage. As the paramedics arrived and put me on the most uncomfortable board EVER it was pretty near impossible to have positive thoughts but all I could do was try and just think that everything would be ok. Before I knew it I was being released from the hospital and everything was going to be ok (or so I thought). So there we went, back to the gym to let every one know I was going to be ok. As I showed everyone my scrapbook pages that I planned to enter in the stampede, that’s when we got the call to get our butts back to the hospital (as Eva would say). Oh good lord did I have to pee so badly, and that’s when the bad news came, they were going to stick a catheter up there!!! Literately I thought it was the worst thing ever until I got the news that I had broken my neck. So this was it, all those times climbing on the fence and the trees at my Grandma and Grandpa’s house with Grandma yelling at me that I was going to fall and break my neck and it just so happened it wasn’t the fence or the trees, it was the beam. So they rushed me to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary by air ambulance, where I thought I was going to have the world’s worst experience there, but being there with my wonderful nurses Heather, Stephanie, and all the other nurses and being around all the sick children just made me realize how much we take for granted in life. After a horrible sleep that night the doctor came into my room with the news that seemed horrible but could, in the end possibly save my life, I was going to have to wear a halo. So here I am halo and all enjoying life to what right now is it’s fullest! There are a few good things about it though; I don’t have to pay for my cell phone for 5 or 6 months, I get out of carrying groceries for a while, and a lot more, and even though there are more bad things than good things all I can do is think positive and this will all be over in the blink of and eye. Like I said on my first walk in the hospital after the incident “whatever it takes”. And now when Grandma yells after me saying “you are going to fall and break your neck,” I can just say it has already been done. And even though most people think I am absolutely insane for going back to gymnastics I plan to go back and put my heart and soul back into it and “SHOW EM WHAT IM MADE OF!!!!”

Hawaii Meet

Attention all Competitive Parents!!!

We have the opportunity to go the the Aloha Gymfest (hosted by Kokoahi Gym Team)!!!

Where: Near Honolulu, HI
When: Tentatively January 15-January 21, 2009

Registration Cost: $90- level 7-10
$70- level 4-6
$25.00 for USA Gymnastics Number (required)


Flights so far are around $900.00 but we are waiting for a group rate. We will request that a few parents join us to help look after the kids. It is important to get your passports ASAP if you intend to go (can't go without one!). If your child is going then we need to know as soon as possible as we need to register as of yesterday (I know it's a little late of notice).

Please email me when you decide if your child can come or not :)

gymnfly@gmail.com

Feel free to look at the website for some information:

http://www.kokokahigymnastics.com/aloha.htm

Groups

Grouping for this year will be announced within the next two weeks. Coaches have been announced with the time table. If you have any questions thus far please speak to your coach(s).