Got stood up by fitness coach

[Anonymous]

I didn't really know who else could really relate to my disappointment so I thought I'd tell you all. I read on another post in the SN forum about a mom who found a fitness coach for her DC off Craigslist. If I remember correctly, it was a college kid who had education and experience in health/fitness and the reates were affordable. I thought it was a great idea for my 10 yo DS who has motor planning/coordination issues and hypotonia but who loves baseball and was on a team for the first time. I found what seemed like a great kid, getting his degree in health/fitness/kinesiology from GMU and was a competitve athlete. In his email, he included a link to a fitness group he works for and he seemed really legit. We exchanged a lot of emails, he seemed really great and we made arrangements to meet on the field of a local high school.

We didn't tell DS about it until right before we left for the meeting. We wanted to contain his enthusiasm a bit (and not hear 10 jillion times 'Is it time to meet him? Is it time to meet him?). The guy never showed up. I called the number I had for him and left a message (it was his voice/name on the answering message), I sent him an email telling him where we were in case there was a mix up but after 45 minutes of nothing, we left. DS was crushed.

I waited a couple of days hoping he'd reschedule and and then sent him an email telling him I hope everything was okay because I was expecting to hear from him. Nothing. I supposed the worst could have happened but I haven't seen anything online or in the news so it looks like we just got stood up. I'm so disappointed. I imagined how great DS would feel working with someone who can help him with fitness/strength/movement but I was also thinking my younger DS would also benefit and enjoy it. He's got the same issues, really looks up to his older brother and would really have liked it. Now, I'm back to square one. I looked at CraigsList again but didn't see any postings that inspired me as much as the one from the guy who stood us up. A baseball coach isn't really what DS needs as much as someone to help him, overall, improve his movement and conditioning. It seems frivolous to get a personal trainer but a college kid with this kind of background sounded so perfect.

Anyway, I know this happens in all lines of work and an NT kid would be just as disappointed as a SN kid. I just hate seeing DS struggle so much and was enthused by what seemed like such a good idea. Thanks for listening.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, that is terrible, OP. That kid deserves a swift kick in the pants. I think I would go with a regular trainer who is more likely to be reliable.

[Anonymous]

So sorry OP! Not sure where you are located, but I have heard nothing but wonderful things about Life Changing Fitness in Falls Church. They are fantastic with kids with poor motor planning and coordination. http://www.lifechangingfitness.org/

[Anonymous]

Try Motion Education at Dynamite Gym.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP. I am so sorry for you and your child-- that is terrible. Unfortunately a lot of young people are very irresponsible. And the more embarrassed they are, the less likely they are to write you. On the other hand, don't be surprised if he writes in a few days with some half-baked excuse about being busy or not reading email, ready now to be hired. I am a college professor and I can't tell you how common this sort of behavior is, even when I am in a position to evaluate the student! If you can stand it, keep searching and when you find someone make sure to confirm several times, including the day of.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear that. I posted a while back that we found my son's private soccer coach on CL and have nothing but wonderful things to say about him. then again, he's an older adult and not a college student. DS has coordination and motor skill issues, so although he is a private soccer coach he's working on the fundamentals with him such as running and kicking.

Love the one-on-one attention he gets with this guy, twice a week for an hour each time. don't be discouraged by an irresponsible college kid.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for listening, the recommendations and the kind words. DS enjoys baseball and is motivated to practice - which helps so much! We'll keep looking.