My Y Story
Babs Turner
Having recently had extensive back surgery, Babs is coming through one of the most challenging times of her life. “I was to the point (during rehab) where I told my family, “I don’t care if I live or die.”” Babs has recently returned to her job at the Y where she has served as our Financial Assistance Director since June of 2011. “I am so thankful to the Y for holding my job for me. A lot of companies would not have done that.” Now, Babs is literally back on her feet, and is committing herself to improving her general health. “As soon as I’m able, I will be back in my Shallow Water Fitness class.” Join us on Babs’ journey to well-being by hearing monthly updates on her progress at:
Follow Babs' journey to Health and Wellness
Wendy
When Wendy McConkey decided it was time to lose weight, the idea of appearing on national TV and in magazines and newspapers didn’t cross her mind. The Fircrest resident was just upset about the bruise on her side. It was 2006, and McConkey weighed 449.6 pounds. She wedged herself into an airplane seat for a 4.5-hour flight and spent the entire trip in agony as she pressed against the armrests. The bruises lasted for a week, but the memory still hasn’t faded.
Today, McConkey is 302 pounds lighter and is enjoying her 15 minutes of fame. She has been featured in People magazine and also appeared on the Jan. 6 episode of NBC’s “Today” show. In May, when she was last featured in The News Tribune, McConkey was one of 100 people invited to appear on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
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JACOB
Jacob Colby is one of the neatest boys you will ever meet. He is seven years old, very smart, and has many, many best friends. When asked about them, he has to distinguish, “Home best friends or school best friends?” His home best friends are Peter, Gavin, Briana, Andy, Zack, Evan, and Caitlin. His school best friends are Oliver, Jacob, Tim, Aiden, and Kaden. It takes a very special person to have that many best friends, and Jacob is indeed very special. One of Jacob’s favorite things to do is to play video games. His mom, Mindy, is quick to point out that he earns each half hour of video games with a half hour of reading. Although many kids today may spend too much time playing video games, in Jake’s case they play a very positive role in his life. “Video games put Jake on an even playing field with his friends and other kids his age,” says Mindy. ...read more
Wilford "Will" Augustin
Meet Wilford “Will” Augustin. Will is a long time member of the Morgan Family YMCA. In fact, he has been coming here since April of 1996. “I can’t live without the Y,” says Will. “Without the Y, I’d just stay home, and I don’t want to stay home.” Staying active is very important to Will. He doesn’t let the fact that he was blinded by glaucoma in 1979 slow him down. Originally from Haiti, Will moved to the States in 1980. He has worked for Lighthouse for the Blind in Seattle and more recently for the Goodwill. Retired since 1993, Will takes the shuttle to the Y from his home almost every day as a part of his routine.
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Marjorie Hawkinson
Marjorie Hawkinson has a new lease on life. She is living a more active and fulfilling life today than she has at any time in the last 30 years. What has changed? It started with her loss of over one hundred pounds in the past year. However, Marjorie’s transformation goes far beyond the physical. Her enlightenment includes spending more time with her family, enrolling in art classes with friends, and taking on a lead role in a play at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse.
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Barb and Lynda
It was 1985 and aerobics was at its peak of popularity. To give some perspective, the class music was being played on LP record albums. Lynda Krona was a shy, young woman trying to keep a low profile in the back of a YMCA aerobics class. She quickly noticed the leader of the class, Barbara Baldwin, her former classical ballet mistress.
Barbara also noticed Lynda and encouraged her to come up in the front of the class. Lynda recalls, “She made me come up and lead.
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Bekah Owens![]()
When she first started working at the Y as a swim instructor, Bekah was experiencing a rough time in her life. With a husband who was out of the picture, Bekah was sole provider for her family. During this already difficult time in her life, Bekah’s apartment was condemned and she was forced to find alternative housing. She and her two small children, Reese, and Raelei-Jean, found shelter in a local hotel. Bekah continued to teach classes at the Y, while her children played in the nursery. The Y provided her with a child friendly, professional work
environment to grow and develop, while supporting her children.
Kim Watters
2001 was the lowest point of my life. My grandparent’s had passed away and my Mom was in an automobile accident. I was very lonely and empty inside. My Mom suggested that I start going to the Y. In 2008 I was introduced to two children with Duchenne muscular dysoplia. This disease causes the muscles to grow weak, by age 10-13 children end up in wheel chairs and end up on a ventilator. I feel blessed that I can walk and move my body when so many people cannot. I feel fortunate for the Y that keeps me strong in spirit, mind and body.
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The First Y Story in the United States
