Transformative Impact of Customized Physical Education on Individuals' Lives
Vibing with Zhanna Soltanbekova: The Fierce Champion of Adaptive Physical Education
Zhanna Soltanbekova, a force to be reckoned with, is a social entrepreneur and the bold director of the BLUE FOX adaptive physical education center in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Her relentless pursuit of ensuring physically active lifestyles for children, particularly those with special needs, has made her a beacon of hope and resilience.
Discovering the Magic of Sports
The turning point for Zhanna's life came in 2011 when her middle son, Alikhan, was diagnosed with autism. Fast forward to today, at 15, Alikhan is by her side, inspiring her every step of the way. Zhanna's initial response to the diagnosis was one of disorientation and fear, but her determination to find a solution was unwavering.
During her quest for knowledge, she stumbled upon an insightful article that emphasized the importance of personal self-care. This realization prompted her to seek help and embrace Alikhan's condition, ensuring an easier journey for everyone involved.
In 2014, Zhanna's life took an extraordinary turn when she joined the Autism Will Win project by Aruzhan Sain. This was her first encounter with the transformative power of physical activity for children with special needs. Alikhan's progress was profound - he became more aware, focused, and engaged. It was as if he had finally opened his eyes to the beautiful world around him.
Cultivating Skills and Independence
Inspired by this extraordinary transformation, Zhanna dedicated herself to creating opportunities for other special needs children to experience the same life-changing effects. In 2023, armed with her passion and a fellow mother of a special needs child, Ainur Zhanuazakova, she established the BLUE FOX adaptive physical education center.
The center was born out of sheer determination and a space rented from a local sports club. With no proper equipment available in the area, they improvised with make-shift gymnastic sticks, road cones, and balls. Seven eager children, aged five to ten, attended the inaugural session.
Today, the BLUE FOX center serves approximately 79 children, aged two to seventeen. Its primary goal is to teach children to participate in small-group activities without parental supervision. Group training fosters social skills, confidence, teamwork abilities, and patience. Children learn to follow rules, wait their turn, and participate in team games, all essential life skills.
Adaptive Physical Education: A Game-Changer
Adaptive physical education (APE) has proven benefits that extend beyond physical improvements. It aids in communication skill development, emotional well-being enhancement, and psychological and physical barriers overcoming. Furthermore, APE can prevent health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and obesity by boosting the immune system, improving circulation, and reducing stress.
Parents typically witness remarkable improvements in their children's behaviors within two or three weeks. Children become better behaved in public places, more independent, more engaged with peers, and more compliant with instructions at school and daycare. The play-based nature of the activities ensures that children find them enjoyable.
The center also offers parent-child classes for children as young as 18 months, helping parents better understand their child's challenges and employ techniques at home. Early intervention plays a pivotal role in ensuring optimal development.
Overcoming Obstacles and Growing Stronger
The growth of APE in Kazakhstan faces several obstacles, including securing affordable space and trained specialists. Although certification is crucial, coaches must possess a genuine passion and positive attitude, as children with special needs are highly attuned to energy. Kazakhstan only introduced an APE program at universities last year, leaving specialists to train in other countries before returning to Kazakhstan.
Zhanna holds multiple APE certifications in various areas, but her most significant learning comes from her hands-on experience with Alikhan. She plans to pursue a second degree in APE coaching to further her knowledge and skills.
Despite financial hurdles, the center has garnered support from kind-hearted individuals and organizations. In March, BLUE FOX will move to a new location that features a social and domestic adaptation room where children will learn essential life skills such as cooking, ironing, cleaning, and grocery shopping. The center is also introducing roller-skating and biking lessons to enhance physical and cognitive development.
The climbing wall in the new facility will provide opportunities for children to conquer obstacles and engage in focused activities, fostering overall development. For Zhanna, her motivation remains strong, fueled by her son's progress and the emotional triumphs of fellow parents.
"Witnessing the joy in a parent's eyes when their child looks them in the eye for the first time, speaks their first word at age five, approaches other children on the playground, dresses independently, or sits through an entire movie in a theater - it's a powerful experience. For those with neurotypical children, these moments may seem ordinary. But for us, they represent monumental victories. And knowing that BLUE FOX played a role in these achievements gives me the strength to continue," Zhanna shares.
Science plays a vital role in helping Zhanna Soltanbekova and other specialists support the growth and development of children with special needs through adaptive physical education (APE). This evidence-based approach, grounded in health-and-wellness, mental health, and education-and-self-development disciplines, provides a wide range of benefits, such as improved communication skills, emotional well-being, and the ability to overcome psychological and physical barriers. Additionally, sports, a key aspect of APE, enhances physical fitness, boosts immune systems, and reduces stress, promoting overall health and wellbeing.
