Meet Ruby: building strength and confidence through synchronized swimming
Ruby loves to swim and is an accomplished synchronized swimmer. The water and the environment calm her and help her to believe in herself. The pool has become a safe and enabling place for Ruby, who has faced many challenges and hurdles in her young life.
Ruby was born with epilepsy and, upon entering school, began to exhibit behavioural issues. She fell behind in her studies and encountered bullying. Her parents reached out for expert advice and the family was referred to the epilepsy classroom at SickKids. She also underwent testing, where it was determined that Ruby was having small seizures which had gone unnoticed.
Through this, not only did Ruby catch up in school, but she developed a love for learning. When Ruby was transitioned back to mainstream school in grade three, she began to exhibit severe frustration and anxiety, which led to diagnoses of Asperger’s Syndrome, ADD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and learning disabilities along with the epilepsy. Any of these on their own can make life difficult, but combined they created chaos, fear and isolation for Ruby on a daily basis. She struggled academically, medically and socially trying to “fit in’ with others, and at the age of 10, she had an emotional breakdown that required hospitalization and a year away from school.
The pool has become a safe and enabling place for Ruby.
It was Ruby’s love of the pool that helped her build back her confidence. As soon as she was able her family encouraged her to get back in the water. At first she resisted, but after getting back into the water, Ruby’s strength and confidence began to grow.
“Ruby will always struggle to some degree,” said her mom Sara. “But the lessons and strength she has learned and continues to learn through her sport will only help her to grow more confident as an athlete and a person, no matter where life takes her.”
Today, Ruby holds the Athletes with Disability – C Level 3 National Championship Title for Synchronized Swimming. She also recently received the honour of an invitation to be an ambassador for the sport of Synchro and for Canada. She will travel to Taiwan in June to help raise awareness for Athletes with Disabilities and to help show that despite hurdles, with hard work and determination, we can still succeed. And one day, we may just see Ruby reach podiums in the Parapan Am Games and Paralympics.
On behalf of all of us at SickKids, we want to congratulate Ruby on her honour and wish her much success at the upcoming Synchronized Swimming Symposium!
