Embracing Possibilities—and Giving Them to Others
Andy Chaleff knows firsthand about feeling uncomfortable in your own body. “For someone with a disability, it’s really hard to have self-esteem,” says Chaleff, who was diagnosed with a learning disability as a child. He came to the JCC in 2010 when he was introduced to The Jack and Shirley Silver Center for Special Needs’ (CSN) Adaptations program through a family acquaintance.
Chaleff was hired to work with Adaptations on assorted projects one day a week and in the fitness center maintaining, organizing, and cleaning the equipment a second day. “I started doing the work the best I could because it was a job,” he says, but he knew he was capable of more.
Chaleff, who held a degree in exercise physiology and was already a certified personal trainer, needed an environment and a team of colleagues that supported him to achieve his potential, says Allison Kleinman, director of Adaptations and CSN. “Andy had come to the JCC looking for a new start and a chance to prove himself and utilize his skills, compassion, and dedication to community,” she says. Always interested in furthering his skills, Chaleff enrolled in some courses where he learned about the power of guided meditation. “The classes talked about embracing the possibilities, rather than being bound by limitations,” he recalls.
After leading a sample class for members of the meditation and health and wellness teams at the JCC, Chaleff was invited to work here part-time as a fitness concierge, helping out in classes, many for people with Parkinson’s disease through the Edmond J. Safra Parkinson’s wellness program offered in partnership with Northwell Health. “I started making suggestions, introducing music; eventually I was given the green light to be a personal trainer at the JCC.”
Shortly thereafter, Caroline Kohles, senior program director for health and wellness, introduced him to Ron Roose, whose illness had reached a level where he was unable to take part in standard Parkinson’s classes at the JCC. Due to poor balance, Roose couldn’t work in the fitness center by himself, so Kohles and Chaleff designed a weight-training program Roose could follow with Chaleff at his side. The two men also took Pilates together, and Chaleff was amazed when Roose walked across the Pilates studio unaided for the first time since they’d been paired up. The two continue to work together to manage Roose’s frustration with his diminishing abilities, while slowing the disease’s progression as much as possible.
“Without any doubt, the reason Ron is able to be here is because of Andy,” says Chief Health and Wellness Officer Todd Elkins.
“Ron says he enjoys working with me because I push him,” says Chaleff. “I love working with him because he’s an inspiration. He’s done at least as much for me as I have for him. I know that I have value to contribute.”
With the support of the health and wellness team, his job coach Johnny Leitera, and the Center for Special Needs, Chaleff has flourished, serving not only as an example to others with special needs, but a coach as well. With Chaleff's help one Adaptations member “went from not being able to get out of his own way to jumping rope,” Chaleff said, and is now working on boxing skills. “The work we’ve been able to do together is something I’m really proud of.”
As his reputation and hard work continue to pay off, he has seen his client roster grow.
Chaleff “has a big heart and a big vision,” says Kohles. He’s introduced his own class, currently for the Adaptations community, called Holistic Warriors, which involves 20 to 30 minutes of weight training or stretching, guided meditation, and a writing and sharing exercise, through which participants discuss what they got out of the class, designed to build community. The one-session class has been held several times each season since its inception. “This workout brings together everything Andy loves and believes in about fitness,” she adds. Chaleff credits its success to the support of Kohles, Makom Director Susie Kessler, and Adaptations social coordinator Caitlin McInerney. He is hoping to bring indoor cycling classes to the Adaptations community as well.
Being given the opportunity to achieve his own potential has inspired Chaleff to do the same for others. “What can we do to get people physically prepared for the job that they want?” he often asks himself. “It’s just about getting people to where they can dream bigger.”
Sherri Lerner is the former editorial director at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. She has written and edited for numerous publications and is currently on the staff of the Wechsler Center.