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June 7, 2006
An Open Letter to the Gymnastics Community:
On Friday, May 12th, one of our gymnasts at Gymnastics World in Tucson, Andrew Donnellan(16),
a Level 10 gymnast on Boy’s Team, suffered a very serious neck injury during the evening training session
on floor exercise. As a result of this unfortunate accident, he has been paralyzed from the neck down.
After the successful surgery to stabilize his neck on Wednesday, May 17th, Andrew was accepted to start his rehabilitation at the world renowned Craig Institute in Englewood, Colorado. He was flown there with his mom, Frances, on Tuesday, May 23rd by a special plane. Although his status has not changed, Andrew has been working very hard on an aggressive rehabilitation program. We all wish Andrew great success at the Craig Institute in regaining full movement and mobility of his body.
In the meantime, the “Andrew Donnellan Recovery Fund” has been established at Wells Fargo Bank. This fund will help the Donnellan Family financially during Andrew’s extended recovery period.
Ms. Frances Donnellan adopted Andrew in Jamaica as a little baby while serving on a Peace Corps mission. Frances, a single mom, is putting her job on hold while taking care of Andrew full time in Colorado. The medical costs and the care program expenses are enormous for this injury and the insurances do not cover it all. Gymnastics World and its family will be by his side throughout the long process of his rehabilitation and recovery. Today I am asking the entire Gymnastics Community to join us in helping this fine young man who has so much future ahead of him and his wonderful mom, Frances. Any size donation will be appreciated.
Andrew’s account information: “Andrew Donnellan Recovery Fund”
Acct#2552379782
at any Wells Fargo Bank
Checks can be also sent to: “Andrew Donnellan Recovery Fund”
PO Box 89173
Tucson, AZ 85752-9173
A website has been created so that everyone can stay updated on Andrew’s progress. This website also allows users to personally send messages to Andrew and his family. Please go to the home page at: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/drew_d
I have been operating the Gymnastics World program in Tucson, Arizona since 1979 and this is the first time a serious injury of this nature has occurred in any of our three facilities.
We ask for your thoughts and prayers for Andrew’s recovery.
Sincerely,
Yoichi Tomita
Owner and Director
Gymnastics World
201 E. Ft. Lowell Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85705
(520)888-0519
E-mail:tomita2004@comcast.net
ANNOUNCING: Safety Certification Course in Maine
Dudziak's School of Gymnastics, 9 Pomerleau St., Biddeford will host a USAG Safety Certification Course on Thursday, July 27, 2006 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. You must register directly with USAG either online at www.usa-gymnastics.org or by calling the national office at 1-800-345-4719. Registrations must be completed 25 days in advance in order to get the proper materials in time.
Tyson Fitness Challenge Kicks off in June
The Tyson Fitness Challenge, designed as a great way for clubs and gymnastics professionals to join in the national effort to help improve the overall fitness and nutrition of the country’s youth, begins in June.
The Tyson Fitness Challenge, created under the guidance of fitness and nutrition experts, incorporates exercises and activities in the four fundamentals of fitness: cardiovascular exercise, strength training, flexibility exercises and nutrition. Club owners and professional instructors can adapt the basics of the Tyson Fitness Challenge to fit the needs of their specific programs and locale. The program culminates on National Gymnastics Day, August 5, and is the primary vehicle for raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network.
“The initial response to the fitness concept has been very positive,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “We are excited that Tyson Foods has recognized the need for a program like this and has joined us in providing the Tyson Fitness Challenge, a natural extension of their partnership with USA Gymnastics. Nutrition is a key element in any fitness plan, and protein—like that found in chicken, beef, and pork products—is an important part of any well-balanced diet because it provides long-lasting energy like no other source.”
To make it easy, the Tyson Fitness Challenge is organized into eight separate sessions, complete with lesson plans and handouts. The program includes a basic introduction to the four fundamentals of fitness (cardiovascular exercise, strength training, flexibility exercises and nutrition) that are covered in each session. Each participant is encouraged to set fitness goals (i.e. being able to do five more sit-ups, three more pushups, etc.) that can be achieved by the end of the eight sessions and in preparation National Gymnastics Day. The nutrition plan will focus on sound fundamentals such as the importance of incorporating protein into a well-balanced diet.
This year’s theme for National Gymnastics Day is “A Celebration of Fitness,” and the Tyson Fitness Challenge is the platform for raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network. Each participant or club can decide what he/she/they want the Tyson Fitness Challenge to include, ranging from past staples like cartwheel-a-thons and back-flip-athons to including more fitness-specific activities. Each participant can set the goal at a point that is achievable.
Basic lesson plans, handouts and resource materials are provided in the Tyson Fitness Challenge Administrator’s Handbook and dedicated Web site. Interested clubs and professional members can learn more about the program by logging on to: www.usa-gymnastics.org/fitnesschallenge/
USA Gymnastics and Tyson Foods look forward to your participation in the Tyson Fitness Challenge. Through this effort we hope to build more powerful bodies and powerful minds, get more kids into the gym, and raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.
Loree Galimore
USA Gymnastics
Programs Manager