A year of CrossFit training can make a big difference in fitness and overall health. But for an 11-year-old girl, CrossFit has opened a new world of confidence and physical achievements.
Faith Murray was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder 2 years ago. She had always struggled with movement and space issues, not fully understanding how her body worked and how to control it. She had worked with an occupational therapist for several years in school and then privately. The therapists felt Faith would always struggle with control of her motor functions.
Not giving up, Faith tried softball but was discouraged because she couldn’t move quickly. She then joined the CrossFit Wallingford’s CrossFit Kids program, encouraged by her parents who had already experienced the benefits of CrossFit for themselves. When she started she had difficulty running because she was learning how to control her movements. With hard work, supportive coaching, and appropriate exercises, Faith has gone from a 13:25 mile to an 11-minute mile in 6 months and is one of the fastest runners in her class.
Her parents, family, and friends are elated over the change in Faith. Not only has Faith accomplished huge physical milestones in the last year at CrossFit Wallingford’s CrossFit Kids program but she has newfound confidence from doing things she did not think were possible. As a family friend has said, Faith may have autism but she is showing the world that autism does not have her. Faith will not be defined by a label and, with the success she has had at CrossFit Wallingford, this may only be the beginning of what Faith has to show the world!
