Midland ice hockey player inspires local 2nd grade girl

The stereotypical ice hockey player is frequently seen as a grizzled behemoth, often with missing teeth.

Not a kind, gentle teacher inspiring tiny children a fraction of their size with empathy and care.

But for one local 8-year-old girl who has battled developmental disabilities her entire life, those stereotypical perceptions of ice hockey players were nowhere to be found during what several community members describe as one of the most touching and inspirational moments of their careers.

Angie Wyle, ice rink director at the Fremont Family YMCA, recently contacted the Fremont Tribune about the story of a Midland University ice hockey captain Zach Eddington gently and kindly teaching a local second grade girl — Nevaeh — to ice skate despite the challenges presented by her multiple disabilities.

“It was one of the most touching moments I’ve seen in my 15-year career doing this,” Wyle said of the recent interactions between Eddington and Nevaeh during the Second Grade Learn to Skate program, which the YMCA does in partnership with the Fremont Public Schools.

The Tribune is not using Nevaeh’s last name or publishing photographs of her face at the request of her mother, Kyla, due to privacy issues. Her mother, Kyla, said Nevaeh has, “a speech disorder and developmental disability.”

Kyla said her daughter has been involved in multiple YMCA programs aside from the ice skating, including soccer, volleyball and day care. She said the welcoming environment and caring staff have helped Nevaeh learn and grow despite the challenges she faces from her disabilities, which includes being non-verbal.

“(Nevaeh’s) had development delays with walking and talking. She’s got low muscle tone and she is susceptible to broken bones,” Kyla explained. “For her, just being able to ice skate was a huge breakthrough for her.”

Nevaeh is a student at Howard Elementary…