They call him ‘Fast Daniel’
WEST NEW YORK, N.J. (BVM) – In the fifth grade, Daniel Sinchi’s parents were called to his school almost daily. If it wasn’t because he had put his hands on a student or a teacher, he was throwing a tantrum and disrupting the class.
Daniel was diagnosed years earlier with autism and was non-verbal most of his life, always struggling to communicate with others. His frustrations lead to aggressive behavior and violent outbursts. Daniel cried all the time. His mother said he would not sleep at night, and if he did, Daniel would wake up crying. She never knew why, or what was going on inside.
His parents always believed that in addition to academic efforts made in school and at home, diet, exercise and tons of patience would help Daniel get to a better place.
The Sinchi’s began searching for local activities that would best suit his need for repetition and muscle memory and help him exert the energy he had bottled up. Since Daniel’s older brother Christian had been swimming with a local swim club at the time, they began there. According to mom, Daniel was paying attention and took to the idea of being in the water.
Daniel is a visual learner and worked intensely with numerous coaches, each time picking up new techniques and perfecting them. Mom described the work with swim coaches as baby steps.
“There were so many coaches and each time he learned something new, he was done…on to the next coach.” Mrs. Sinchi said.
Whether it was breathing techniques, picking up speed or perfecting the breaststroke, Daniel was committed through each phase of the process. As he got better in the pool, Mrs. Sinchi said he was getting better at putting his thoughts into sounds and ultimately, words. He cheered his brother and teammates on with claps and outbursts of excitement and began to form sentences.
West New York swim coach, Gabby Lazzara, recalls Daniel coming out of the pool at swim practice, running over to her and yelling “FAST” with both thumbs up, extremely proud of his accomplishments.
A Family Affair
Manuel Sinchi was always a runner. While Daniel and his brother were still on the swim team, they began running with their father to build endurance. Christian joined the track team his freshman year of high school. Daniel, who was in seventh grade at this time, loved going along for the runs.
While the boys and their father ran the track, mom would stand at the end of each full lap holding up a number indicating the completion of that lap. Before they knew it, Daniel was counting out loud. It became customary for the Sinchi men to do 12 laps around the track three times a week.
At first, Daniel and his father would run arm and arm to maintain their pace. Occasionally, Daniel would fall behind and dad would pull him, telling him to go faster. Other times, Daniel would let go and attempt to pass dad. If Christian was running with them, Daniel would start the brotherly competition. Christian admitted that at the beginning he would let Daniel win, but after a while Daniel would pass him and yell “FAST!”
Realizing how much Daniel loved running and the positive impact running was having on him, the Sinchis searched for running mates Daniel’s age. They found Achilles Kids NYC Races and Workouts, a program dedicated to giving children with disabilities the chance to train, workout and race with volunteers assisting and encouraging them. Mr. Sinchi said Daniel’s Achilles teammates and coaches were a very positive outlet for him. The kids gave him the nickname “Fast Daniel”, after he ran his first half marathon.
The Sinchi men continued branching out and doing local 5Ks and training daily. By his freshman year, Daniel was ready to join the Memorial High School Track Team with his brother Christian. Mr. and Mrs. Sinchi do not believe in putting limitations on Daniel. They want him to realize that although he learns differently, anything his brother is capable of doing, he can do as well.
During the early lockdown of Covid-19, the Sinchis cleared the hallway of their apartment in order to give Daniel his running room. He did 100 laps during every workout in order to maintain his twelve-lap regimen. When they did make it out to the track, Daniel was not a fan of the mask, and appreciated taking it off as they were running. Now, he is used to it.
The Last Five Years
Mrs. Sinchi says the changes in Daniel since the family embarked on this journey have been noticeable to say the least. While interviewing the Sinchis, Daniel repeated words and smiled or laughed, joining the conversation with agreement or excitement. Mrs. Sinchi noted that would typically never happen.
“He’s become more connected. Before, he would walk away and keep distance from everyone and everything around him”. Mrs. Sinchi said.
Lately, he’s even held himself accountable when noticing old habits creeping back out.
“He makes sure he puts himself in timeout. Not that he doesn’t have any more outbursts, but on his own, he has been catching himself before he does.”
At home, Daniel has become mom’s helper. Daniel is methodical and needs structure. His routine is important to him and he takes it very seriously. He wakes up and gets himself ready in the morning, something he wouldn’t do a few years ago. Daniel has his breakfast consisting of yogurt and berries and makes sure he hydrates. After practice, Daniel helps mom cut up his salad veggies and prepares lunch and dinner. He also enjoys helping out around the house.
Daniel’s Instructional Paraprofessional and MHS Coach, Andy Luna, has spent the last four years with Daniel and has seen his growth and progress firsthand.
“Daniel has become like a son to me and I’m just so proud of everything he has accomplished,” Luna said. “His world is so much different from ours. Things that may come easier to us might be more difficult for him, but let me be one of the first to tell you that he is a legit STAR! Daniel is doing some outstanding things in cross country and in swimming! This is only the beginning of a very exciting and successful future for him.”
