Nicole and Ava Loy

When our daughter, Ava, was born in 2011, she had a quieter start than we expected. She was diagnosed with low muscle tone, which turned into major developmental delays. Ava didn’t roll over until she was six months old, didn’t crawl until after her first birthday and didn’t walk until she was over 2. The milestones most first time parents take for granted became uncertain hopes for us. My husband, Shane, and I moved from Chicago to Andover, Kansas in 2013, carrying our new parent worries and the added fear of leaving behind our family support system. But above all, we hoped Ava would find places and people who believe in her. 

We found that belief at the Andover YMCA. The long hallways, the pool deck, the gym – they became more than facilities. They became our family’s classroom and playground. I still remember the nervous, excited days when Ava first started taking steps. Those first wobbly strides didn’t happen in a living room or therapist’s office. They happened right in the halls of the Andover YMCA. Those steps were small in distance, but enormous in meaning. Each one proved she could gain independence. Each wobble was a lesson in courage, and each new pace showed us that this place offered safety, patience and real possibility for her future.

The adaptive swim program taught Ava confidence in the water. The instructors didn’t just teach strokes; they taught safety, independence and the joy of splashing without fear. In YMCA sports, coaches welcomed her as a teammate, emphasizing encouragement and teamwork. 

And the Andover YMCA Early Learning Center met Ava where she was, celebrating each tiny gain – even the day she climbed and played on the outdoor play structure independently for the first time. 

What made the difference for us wasn’t just programs or schedules – it was the people. From front desk smiles to patient coaches, from instructors who took extra time to adapt lessons to other families who shared advice and encouragement, this community shows us over and over what it means to support one another. 

For our family, the YMCA did something few places could – it helped Ava discover her strength and showed us new possibilities for her future. Ava, now almost 15, learned to walk in Andover YMCA hallways, but more importantly she learned that she belongs, that she is capable and that she is loved by this community.