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From: Lisa Ellis <br /> To: LPCtestimonv <br /> Subject: Kona aerials gymnastics <br /> Date: Thursday, May 18,2023 8:52:30 PM <br /> What has Kona Aerials Gymnastics meant to me and done for me, personally? I remember <br /> being at a local park and seeing a young girl doing a flip of some kind on a bar and thinking <br /> to myself, "That's a gymnastic move. I wonder where they do that out here." My daughter <br /> was 5 years old at that time. She had been clinically diagnosed as hyperactive at age 4.5. <br /> Her school and pediatricians were suggesting medication so she would be less of a handful <br /> both in the classroom and at home. I always felt that physical hyperactivity went hand in <br /> hand w/ mental hyperactivity and therefore could be a sign of great intelligence, so why <br /> would I want to medicate that? I politely declined. I began my search for a physical activity <br /> she would love and could practice at home to help slough off some of that extra energy. We <br /> tried several sports and dance and eventually came to find Kona Aerials Gymnastics and <br /> Coach Nanette. By that time, I was frazzled. I talked to Coach Nanette about my daughter's <br /> aggression in play and her other foibles and begged her to please help me with this child as <br /> I had no family or close friends out here to help me deal with her. <br /> Coach Nanette laughed, told me she understood and that this was the right place for her. I <br /> signed my daughter up at age 5.5. 1 immediately saw a difference in her in more ways than <br /> I can really say. Within weeks of my daughter having such a regimented physical workout, <br /> her grades improved. Her interactions with others were not so aggressive because she had <br /> physically aggressive activities to practice on her own. She wasn't constantly in my face <br /> and when she would be, I could direct her to run around the outside of our house or jump <br /> on our bed to practice for gymnastics. An acquaintance of my husband's gave us some <br /> gymnastic grade matts for her to practice on. We were able to set up a makeshift beam and <br /> singular bar in the back yard for her to practice on. Our daughter started to flourish, not just <br /> in gymnastics, but in her schoolwork as well. Gymnastics gave her the physical outlet she <br /> needed to be able to concentrate and focus on her schoolwork when necessary. It gave her <br /> self confidence. It taught her both teamwork and individual goal setting and <br /> accomplishment through hard work and perseverance. It taught her to listen to instruction. It <br /> taught her self discipline. It taught her that her only worthy opponent was herself. <br /> Eleven years later... My daughter is duel enrolled in both high school and college. She <br /> entered her freshman year of high school with 3 college credits already under her belt. She <br /> graduated her freshman year top of her class. She is 16 years old,a sophomore in high <br /> school now, and is certified in first aide, CPR and as a freshwater lifeguard. She is a level 8 <br /> competing gymnast and a coach to the youngest potential gymnasts. She has an <br /> impressive resume with many references from those she has babysat for or helped coach <br /> in her spare time both inside and outside of the gym. None of that would have happened <br /> without this gym. This coach. This help and encouragement for this Momma who needed it <br /> more than anyone could possibly understand in dealing with this particular child. <br />