ASCEND GYMNASTICS AIMS TO SPRINGBOARD INCLUSIVITY

ASCEND GYMNASTICS AIMS TO LET CHILDREN KNOW THEY ARE WELCOMED AND LOVED REGARDLESS OF THEIR DIFFERENCES, ACCORDING TO CO-OWNER AND COACH CALE ROBINSON.

Robinson, who opened the gym with his lifepartner Owen Sun and business partners Brent and Lauren Phelps, said they wanted to create a place for all people in the community to feel comfortable. As LGBTQ owners, he said, it’s a priority to bring inclusion to athletics.

“We're excited to be part of the community,” he said. “We hope to meet more people and just open our doors to the community in any way we can help.”

The facility, which was previously used for indoor soccer, officially opened four weeks ago. Woodinville marks the fourth Ascend location, and the others can be found in Auburn, Sumner and Dupont.

According to Robinson, the idea to manage a gymnastics facility that catered to all people was always in the back of his mind. Growing up, his parents owned a small-town gymnastics facility in Tennessee. As a result, he said, his passion for the sport began at a young age.

“I was kind of like your proverbial gym rat,” he said. “I just lived in the gym as a kid. It's always been what I love and what motivates me.”

During his club career, Robinson earned a spot on the U.S. Junior National Team and traveled internationally to compete with the world’s best gymnasts. He went on to compete for Stanford University and was part of the team that won its 100th NCAA championship in 2011.

Robinson knew from a young age that he wanted to coach, he said. In fact, he coached throughout high school at his club gym and then volunteered in college for the Stanford women’s team.

Robinson said he was part of Stanford’s first push for LGBTQ inclusion in athletics. He worked with the You Can Play Project in college to develop a culture of respect for all people in sports, he said.

According to Robinson, this facility offers classes and instruction for all skill levels. He said it’s a place for those just getting started with gymnastics and those trying to get college scholarships. The ages typically range from infants to 18-year-olds, he said, although adult open gym sessions will also be an option.

Robinson, who has a 20-month-old baby with Sun, hosts two free baby classes each week for parents to network and babies to explore different surfaces and textures. From there, he said, children graduate to Tiny Stars and Mini Stars, where they work on motor skills and social skills, such as following directions and taking turns.

The facility includes co-ed ninja classes for children, which combines skills inspired by gymnastics and parkour. Robinson said the sessions are designed to teach kids how to jump, land safety, flip around, and play on different types of equipment.

In an effort to cater to everybody, Robinson said, the gym is also creating a special needs program. He aims to promote an environment where self-esteem can be developed through team building and positive social interactions.

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A Lifesaving Second Opinion

Ever since Debbie Kirchner was a girl, she’s lived with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid. It had become a part of her life, taking hormones daily and attending regular check-ups. That was until Kirchner felt a particularly large lump in her throat. After an initial consult with another provider, she came across very encouraging reviews for EvergreenHealth’s endocrine surgeon Dr. Timo Hakkarainen, and she decided to schedule an appointment for a second opinion.

“Because the lump had grown quite rapidly and an initial biopsy returned with abnormal cells, I had a suspicion for potential thyroid lymphoma, even though it’s rare,” Dr. Hakkarainen explained.

The tumor was attached to an area where damage could leave Kirchner with a paralyzed vocal cord and voice changes. Though it took nearly three hours more than an average thyroidectomy, surgery was successful. Unfortunately, Dr. Hakkarainen’s suspicions were correct, and Kirchner was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma recognized as a fast-growing tumor. The disease is associated with impaired immunity and progresses rapidly if left untreated. It was an oncologic emergency.

Dr. Hakkarainen arranged for a chemotherapy port to be implanted and reached out to Dr. Tim Carlos, Medical Director at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance’s Medical Oncology Clinic at EvergreenHealth, located at the Halvorson Cancer Center at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland.

“Debbie came to me prepared with insightful questions and we’ve formed a great partnership,” shared Dr. Carlos. “I enjoy the interpersonal relationships with my patients and their families, and Debbie was no exception” said Dr. Carlos. “While the goal is to cure all my patients, I express that I will always be with them through their entire journey.”

Between rounds of chemo, Kirchner saw her care team daily for immune boosting shots, where they made sure she felt her best—whether she needed water, someone to talk to or a place to lie down.

“Throughout the entire process, I realized how lucky I was to have a support group – doctors, nurses, food sta and technicians. While I was blessed to have the support of my family and friends, I also had a class act, transparent care team by my side.” Kirchner is now cancer-free. She visits EvergreenHealth routinely for check-ups, takes thyroid hormones and is learning to enjoy her newly found lifestyle as a retiree in Redmond.

Debbie Kirchner Seattle Cancer Care Alliance &

EvergreenHealth patient