EDUCATION &YOUTH Trampoline champ Keenan Howell wins the gold Athleticism is this 11-year-old’s answer to ADHD By Paula McCambridge The hardcore regular workouts required for trampoline champion Keenan Howell, 11, have led him to two major victories – one in his sport and the other of a more personal nature. Young Keenan has what his mother, Zoe, describes as a severe case of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and he faces that challenge without any medication at all due to his strenuous exercise, Zoe said. Keenan is the youngest in a family of four children – three of which, himself included – have ADHD. His dad has it too. “Kids with ADHD are bully magnets; we found that out with my daughter,” Zoe said. “My daughter, 15 years old now, was so terribly bullied, we had her in crisis care. So with Keenan, we put him in private school in Templeton and use exercise instead of medications. I didn’t want to take any chances. Our experience with our daughter, well she was an amazing teacher.” Keenan is a precocious child with a head of loose curls and a constant smile on his face. He speaks openly, and his positive nature draws others to him. During our interview in a local restaurant, a guest in a nearby booth overheard our conversation and approached Keenan, kneeling to look him in the eye. “I want to tell you that you can do anything, this isn’t a disability,” the man said. “I’ve been through this, and you just remember that there’s nothing wrong with you.” Keenan, continuing to smile listens to the man and thanks him. When the man leaves our table, Keenan describes how his life feels. “I’m extremely blown away by how much people appreciate me,” he said, still smiling. This upturn in Keenan’s life began with sports, currently trampoline competition. Zoe said she was determined to find a way to keep Keenan emotionally well after feeling like she’d temporarily lost that battle with her previous children, she said. “You can tell when your kid’s not happy,” she said. “You have to be fluid. For me, I want to Keenan Howell, 11, stands on the winners’ podium for winning Champion first in the trampoline competition. Photo courtesy of Howell family Keenan Howell shows off his medals won at various competitions over the past two years. Photo by Paula McCambridge Zoe Howell and her son, Keenan, 11, work together, along with the rest of their family, to support Keenan’s trampoline competitions. see successful kids; happiness is a symptom of success. By putting him in a school that’s more open to his learning style and making his sport a priority, we give him a real chance at success.” Keenan started trampoline gymnastics about three years ago when his siblings noticed their younger brother’s ability was more advanced than theirs. “They came to me saying, ‘Mom, you need to sign him up for classes!’ And my kids aren’t very complimentary, so I knew I needed to do something,” Zoe said, laughing. The family started Keenan’s trampoline work at Pacific Coast Gymnastics in Atascadero then, encouraged by his progress, auditioned for a coveted spot at Central Coast Gymnastics in San Luis Obispo. “I was pretty nervous,” Keenan said. “I was used to goofing around the house and going on the trampoline with my dog.” Added Zoe with a proud smile, “He auditioned and walked right onto the team.” Every move Keenan makes during competition is now choreographed requiring diligence and attention to detail. He works well with his coach, Nick Bockleman, who Keenan said has become one of his support group. “In the gym, when my coach is talking, I’m focused. He’s amazing. When I have a problem, I feel really comfortable being open and talking to him.” Keenan’s hard work on the competition trampoline team has earned him many medals, including eight golds for his first-place wins. “And the season isn’t over yet,” Zoe said, smiling. The focus, the exercise and the routine all help center Keenan, Zoe said. It is also the reason she believes he has never had to take medication for his ADHD and wants other parents to hear her son’s story. “Getting your body moving is so important for these kids; this is going to get him through puberty,” Zoe said. “Sometimes if you can foster something athletic, maybe it will mean less medication for the child. That said, I would never judge another family – you have to do what you have to do. We’ve dealt with medication too in my family. It’s work. Life is work.” Asked what he sees in his future, Keenan answers, “I honestly just enjoy everything. Enjoying what you do in sports, it makes you want to do more. I watch all the sports on TV; I watch the Olympics. I picture myself an Olympic champion standing on the podium.” 28 Paso Robles <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2015</strong>
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