Madison West college students with disabilities reinstated to ladies swim workforce

Two Madison West college students with disabilities have been invited to take part with the college’s swimming workforce after their mother and father expressed concern that they’d be excluded in 2025.

The athletes, who meant to compete as exhibition swimmers and never as a part of conventional competitors, have been initially informed the workforce didn’t have openings, however the faculty reversed that stance as of the night of Sept. 12.

Asha Shukla, a senior with Down Syndrome, and Aurelia Bergstrom, a freshman with a low incidence neurogenetic dysfunction of unknown causes that falls below the class of Syndrome Without A Name (SWAN), have been each informed they would wish to check out to earn their spot on the workforce on account of a big quantity of swimmers.

With their standing doubtful, a number of spoke up for the swimmers at a Madion Board of Education assembly Sept. 8, together with different swimmers on the workforce. Shukla spoke herself on the assembly.

“Being part of a team makes me feel like I am part of something bigger than me, a community,” she stated. “I have Down syndrome, meaning my body works differently than other people. I am extra flexible, it takes a lot of energy to build muscles and a little more time to communicate with others, but I know how to work hard, and when I have a chance, I know how to win.”

On Sept. 12, the mother and father of each swimmers stated the college had agreed to welcome them on the workforce. Krisjon Olson, Aurelia’s mom, shared an replace on Facebook.

“Thank you to everyone who spoke up for Asha, Aurelia and inclusive sports in MMSD,” she stated. “I hope this shines a light on the barriers people with disabilities still face in accessing community life — sometimes in their own schools.”This week proved one thing highly effective: when college students and neighborhood members converse up, change occurs. Accessibility shouldn’t take a highlight; however when it does, it exhibits what’s attainable.”This victory is bigger than swimming. It’s about building schools where every student belongs, on teams and in the community. Let’s keep pushing for that future together.”