Abey
Bianca
Fuks
Finding Peace & Inner Strength on the Ice:
A Skater’s Journey
As an athlete sometimes its hard for people on the outside to understand the commitments and sacrifices we make for ourselves and our teams. I am a synchronized figure skater which requires me to practice all weekend as well as skate on my own during the week. For others it might preparing for that soccer game or a gymnastics meet, it does not matter the sport, it is that people do not understand the commitment it takes. I know it can be hard to say no to a plan, a birthday party or even a casual hang out and then the inevitable - “cant you just miss practice.” As athletes we are not only committed to the sport and ourselves, we are also committed to our team. Missing practice can be detrimental to the team. All athletes know the difficulty of trying to be in two places at once but we also know that the only way to succeed is by demonstrating the unwavering commitment to the team.
Yes, it may seem that we as athletes make a lot of sacrifices for our sport, but what people on the outside do not understand is that we do not see it as a sacrifice, we do this, because we love it even on the days when we hate it.
I wish for my blog to become a place where a community is created and we can feel comfortable sharing our wins, losses and challenges and get the support of other athletes who may be struggling with the same questions.
Is it all worth it? You tell me!!!! I am excited to hear from many of you and hearing your stories…..
How it started
My name is Abey Bianca Fuks.
I am 15 years old and a current sophomore at the Horace Mann School in Riverdale, NY. Growing up in NYC, Wollman Rink was a special place for me as a little girl, little did I know when my parents first brought me there at just a few years old and skated with me in circles that the rink will become my second home. Never ever could I have guessed that one lesson during winter break at Wollman Rink with my first Coach in her pink skates and a matching hat would change my life forever.
It took one lesson and one person to lead me to my safe place, my home.
No matter, the trials and tribulations of my young life, I was able to be myself at the rink, whether it was taking lessons, skating with my friends or practicing on my own. The rink, any rink became my safe space, a space where I could think, clear my head and push myself to the limit when needed.
I have been very lucky on my journey and have great mentors that I met through skating, I am forever grateful for their patience, guidance, knowledge and experience and yes sometimes I needed a little tough love too.
I fell in love
with the rink & skating
How It’s Going
Seven years later, I am in my 7th season as a Synchronized Ice Skater and skate nearly every day. I feel honored to share my story, my thoughts, my experiences and potentially gift someone a place they can feel safe and at home.
Pre-Preliminary
Preliminary
Pre-Bronze
Bronze
Pre-Silver
Plans for Future
Silver
Pre-Gold
Gold
Skate with me
I only hope that I can serve as a mentor to other kids who may not even know that they are looking for this safe space that the rink can be. On the ice I learned the importance of hard work, perseverance, facing challenges head on, the tools to deal with grief and sadness that life threw at me a couple years ago. It was and is here where I am learning who I am, whom I want to be and where I want to go.
I want to use this space to share some of my accomplishments and failures, reach out to the young kids who may be searching for their “safe place”, and who are not as lucky as I was to be able to take lessons and find my way onto a Synchronized Ice Skating team, meet my Mentors, and find a home away from home.
