By Isabelle Cutler
Lead Gymnastics Instructor
I could write nine pages of why the Y is important to me. I could spend hours laughing, smiling, and even crying about the past ten years I’ve been connected with the Y. I could give a million and one reasons why everyone needs to be a part of the Y.
I am not going to do that, though. Instead, I am going to share my story. And within my story, I am going to share how the Y has held my hand through the good and the bad.
My life was not always easy breezy. In fact, my life has never been a breeze, but I like it this way. I like the thrill of my high and low roller coaster ride. My family never had a lot of money, and so when I heard that we were going to be members at the Birmingham YMCA, I was as stoked as a puppy going for a walk! I was allowed to pick one activity, and i chose gymnastics, taking after my mother’s athletic career. I started at the beginning. I did not know much except for that I was going to work my behind off.
It wasn’t until years later that I discovered I was a scholarship kid. I wasn’t embarrassed or ashamed that my family was broke. I thought I was special for being a scholarship kid. Little did I know, when I started gymnastics, I started a new beginning for my life. I passed levels like it was my job. I saved every award, sticker, and testing sheet I ever received. These would be my markings and proof that I was-am special. I am worth it.
I could not see it then, but now it is crystal clear of the lessons being taught to me. When I would escape from the tiny four walls of my attic sized room and into what seemed like the world’s most amazing gym, I felt loved. I felt special. I learned patience. Dedication. How to trust adults. Self-esteem. I was shaping a new Isabelle, and this Isabelle I would forever keep.
When my dad left our family, my mom could hardly keep up. Trying to juggle electricity bills were slightly more important than me making it to the gym on time. Although all of this chaos was occurring, I was still able to continue returning to my safe place. Here, I was allowed to be my normal self. I opened up more, and would keep the same girl friends for a lifetime. I was growing when my family was not.
My passion has yet to simmer, and when I turn 16 my dream would soon approach, I applied for a position as a gymnastics coach. After getting the job and completing all of the necessary paperwork, I then requested to be the Lead Gymnastics Instructor. With little hesitation, here I was gaining my next responsibility. Yet again, I felt special. Being a Lead Gymnastics Instructor allowed me to give back the many lessons and abundance of love that I had received. I wanted girls to experience the same kind of affection. I wanted the hurt kids to understand that maybe they do not have anyone to go to, but they at least had one person. I wanted to change the program into something bigger than just gymnastics and repeating skills to perfection. I wanted to teach lessons that the girls could fold up and save in their pocket for later when they need it. Or maybe their friends will need those lessons. It was never my goal for people to remember my name, to give me high fives, or continue to do gymnastics. My goal from the beginning was to create an atmosphere where kids felt safe and loved. My goal was for the kids to remember the lessons and memories, not necessarily me.
Perhaps this story is too sappy, cliche, or all over the place—for that 1 apologize. To answer the question “why is the Y important to you?” in one sentence: The Y is a hand that never pulls away.