Good news: Teenager takes a Zamboni ride to a brand-new friendship
Peter Smith of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, loved to ice skate. The 17-year-old has what his mom, Kathy Smith, describes as an intellectual disability. She took him ice skating for health and social reasons.
"Skating is good for him, just for his balance and for muscle tone. He's always had a low muscle tone," says Kathy. "I grew up ice skating. I just think it's something every kid should learn how to do, and it's good for his core muscle strength. It's a good exercise for him to do. He enjoys being around the other kids, and he's taken lessons."
However, while Peter enjoyed ice skating, he found something else at the ice plex even more fascinating.
"He loved watching the Zambonis," says Kathy. "And one time, we were skating, and the Zamboni wasn't out. He was horribly disappointed. This was a few years back, and the guy behind the counter said, “Next time you come in two weeks, the Zamboni will be out, and I'll give you a ride.”
Kathy figured Brian, the manager, was just being nice and didn't expect the ride to happen. But sure enough, the next time they went to the rink, he kept his word.
"The manager looks at Peter and says, Peter, you ready to go? And Peter's like, “Yeah!” And I was stunned," says Kathy. "And he got him on the Zamboni and gave him a ride around, and that became his routine that we'd go ice skating, and Brian would give him a ride afterwards on the Zamboni."
Watch the video to see Peter get his dream Zamboni ride.
And the manager wasn't done. Soon he began inviting Peter to help with small chores around the rink, which eventually led to him becoming an unofficial member of the maintenance team whenever he visits.
"He is just always looking forward to seeing Brian and all the employees there," says Kathy. "And he has felt a sense of belonging. So, I think it's good for him to have those people interactions."
