The parent of a young GMAS athlete recently sent us this wonderful letter. We decided to turn this inspiring story into a blog post. We hope that, like us, you will feel inspired by this recollection of experiences and recognize the power of sports, and the positive impact that Green Mountain Adaptive Sports has on local kids, their families, peers and our greater community. The name of the athlete here featured was changed to protect his identity. We thank you for supporting our programs. Enjoy this uplifting story!
One on One Lessons offer Comfort and so much more
GMAS one on one lessons provide Max with a consistent place for him to feel powerful, successful, understood, and celebrated for the unique and wonderful human being he is.
Our 7-year-old son, Max, has been loving participating in adaptive sports with Green Mountain Adaptive Sports for about a year. We heard about the program from another family who had wonderful experiences doing GMAS sports with their child.
Max has always found movement activities to be both fun and calming, though group sports are way too overwhelming. We were so happy to learn that GMAS offered 1:1 lessons with coaches who were specially trained to work with folks who have brains and bodies that work differently.
Max has sensory sensitivities to sound, touch, and movement, so he feels easily overwhelmed in a group setting, especially in echoing environments like swimming pools or gymnasiums. Despite that, he loves to move his body, push his strength to the limit, and learn new skills.
The 1:1 lesson is the perfect setting for him to be able to have fun and learn new skills without becoming overwhelmed and having a meltdown. All of the coaches are so kind and understanding, and their training makes them extra sensitive to Max’s needs, such as him needing a break or a slower pace of instruction.
Max is thriving in the GMAS programs, developing new skills and gaining confidence in his ability to succeed.
Endless Opportunities to thrive
Max is thriving in the adaptive sports he has chosen to explore with GMAS–he has tried swimming, rock climbing, and movement classes!
Currently, he is really excited to go back to rock climbing at Petra Cliffs, where he can use all of his muscles and brainpower to navigate the climbing walls. He did 5 lessons there before and absolutely loved them.
The amazing thing about these lessons is that, for Max, they are about more than having fun and getting stronger. In these lessons, more than at school or anywhere else, he can actually learn more about how his brain learns best.
By pushing his edges in this supported setting, Max has greatly improved his frustration tolerance, his perseverance, and his executive function skills (like organizing and planning a route across the climbing wall.)
So much more than sports
Because the movement activities are so regulating for his nervous system, we notice that he is calmer and happier when he comes home from his GMAS activities. This means he is better able to engage with his family, especially his sister, and that brings us all so much joy.
The most powerful benefit from Max’s GMAS activities, though, has to be his confidence in his own ability to succeed. Max has had a difficult couple of years in school. Due to his sensory and attention challenges, school has been an overwhelming and scary place for him, and his inability to engage at school has been a source of feelings of anxiety, failure, and rejection.
Max is calmer and happier when he comes home from his GMAS activities. This means he is better able to engage with his family, especially his sister, and that brings us all so much joy.
A Lifeline for Max… and for a his family
The adaptive sports he participates in are a lifeline for him in the midst of many struggles, providing a consistent place for him to feel powerful, successful, understood, and celebrated for the unique and wonderful human being he is.
This means the world to our family. We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to help our bright, sensitive kiddo make connections out in the community that reflect back to him what an amazing gift he is to the world. We would highly recommend GMAS to any family navigating disability in these challenging times!
Help Max Continue his Journey
Consider making a donation to help athletes such as Max continue to thrive through the adaptive sports programs offered through GMAS. Your gift today changes the life of a community member and their family. Thank you for making a tax-deductible here.
Edited by Pascale Savard
October 10, 2025