Guest Post from Gym Mom Amanda
Our wonderful Snowflake Ambassadors have great stories to tell that can inspire or encourage gymnasts to believe in their dreams, to keep persevering, or to do anything!
Today, we’re sharing Ambassador Nevaeh's story! Her mother, Amanda, wrote this piece about Nevaeh’s love of gymnastics and her triumphs in the sport as well as her struggles and obstacles she faces.
Hello everyone! I’m Amanda, Nevaeh’s mom. I thought I’d give my mom perspective on Nevaeh’s gymnastics journey. Of course, I am a proud momma of my little girl. We have shared many laughs, hugs, tears, and at times arguments throughout her gymnastics journey so far. I do know one thing about Nevaeh, though. She is an overcomer.
In the last year or so, we have found out that Nevaeh deals with severe anxiety, some depression, OCD, and sensory processing, and she receives some OT services for what they call delays in her reflexes and neuromuscular. She’s not the strongest, most fit, or most talented gymnast. She struggles with the skills it takes to progress in her gymnastics. Her skills are behind others who have been in gymnastics as long as she has. But Nevaeh does not let that stop her. She works hard, loves the sport, and never gives up. It’s her goal to continue to move up levels and get to wear grips. She dreams of becoming a college gymnast and a college swimmer. I believe in her. I know she can do anything she puts her mind to. Some days, I wish she believed in herself just as much as I believe in her.
This past year has been one of her most difficult years. She has dealt with a lot in her personal life due to various events. Within the last year or so she has dealt with extra stress from school, switching gyms mid-competition season, and other personal obstacles. The biggest thing she has had to deal with is losing her best friend, her Pappy, in a tragic accident in April 2020. Through all this she has fought so hard. We’ve had a lot of tears, a lot of “I quit”, hugs, and happiness. Luckily, she has found a gym that has brought back her love of gymnastics, a gym where she feels encouraged and supported. She tells me she could be at the gym all day every day if she could. Of course, on her off days and days when maybe emotions are running higher, that’s when I get the “I don’t want to go. I want to quit.” We just work through those days together.
Nevaeh has been in gymnastics off and on since she was around three years old. She wants nothing more than to catch up with other girls on her skills. Her short-term goal is to make it to Xcel Gold so that she may wear grips on the bar. She has had to work extra hard to prove herself. At her gym, she was required to obtain at least a 36.0 AA. She had only been in 3 meets with her new group. At her last gym meet, she was able to get a 35.85. She was so close. To our surprise, she was still given the letter, allowing her to move to Xcel Silver because she had shown so much improvement and dedication. The stipulation was that she had to stay in Bronze for an extra month and continue to show she deserved to be on Silver. This is what Nevaeh has been dying to come true for the last year. Now she has her opportunity to compete silver as long as she can maintain and keep the skills, something I know she is capable of doing and will do.
Nevaeh has good days and bad days at practice. Some days the emotions are higher than other days, but she keeps pushing. I’ve heard many times, “I want to quit. I’m not good enough. I’ll never get my silver skills. I’ll never move further in levels. I’ll never get to be a college gymnast.” I insist she cannot quit just because it’s harder for her, especially if she loves something and has put so much work into it. One of the hardest things with gymnastics as well as her other favorite sport, swimming, is getting her to understand right now in her mind that she cannot expect to just go to practice and get better. She must work at home. She must practice and condition to build strength. Getting her to understand, even with her special quirks, she is a normal kid, and she has responsibilities.
Serving as a Snowflake Ambassador has been a surprise to us and a blessing. When she was chosen as a finalist and then as an ambassador for her first term, it was just unreal. Now, serving her second term, it’s still unreal that she was chosen again. Snowflake Designs is a wonderful company that has been excellent to work with. They are caring, supportive, and understanding. They see the same spark in Nevaeh that I see, and the journey has helped raise her self-esteem. The leotards themselves have been a lifesaver. The fit and the feel have helped Nevaeh feel comfortable. They do not irritate her sensory processing unless it is one with a rougher texture. Nevaeh often stays in her leos all day and even feels comfortable enough to go into stores in them. I envy that about her. I cannot thank the Snowflake family enough for all they have done. To be an ambassador, we had to start an Instagram account and I cannot thank everyone on her page enough for all the love and support they have given her as well. A goal of ours is to fly to California and visit the store and all the wonderful people who have made this an amazing time.
I believe if anything, Nevaeh wants you to believe in yourself. Know that you don’t have to be the best gymnast, the skinniest, the prettiest, or the most talented. Be your best. Show others what you can do. Never give up. Keep reaching for the stars and work toward your dreams, no matter what they are. Never let people take those dreams away from you or take your sparkle from you. Also, remember that it’s okay to be different. Be you. Be your Best.
Thank you for sharing your amazing story with us, Nevaeh and Amanda! If you want to follow Nevaeh’s gymnastics journey further, you can follow her on Instagram, @naenae_gymnastics.
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