In Focus | Tyra Skibington

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Tyra Skibington

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I’m from Calgary and I’ve been in Kelowna for 10 years. I have a 12-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter with a rare chromosomal abnormality that puts her developmentally at a newborn. She is in a wheelchair and is deaf/blind with lots of medical ‘quirks’.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My 12-year-old son, Grayson. He's so funny and kind. He will try anything and reminds me of the simpler things in life. He also thinks I know a lot so I get lots of questions. I feel smarter around him, but I likely won’t know the name of that artist on the radio or how long they’ve been playing music.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Back to Greece to check out more of their beautiful islands. The food and colours are memorable to say the least. I may actually be part Greek.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
The Zen Den in the Pandosy Village. It’s always got the perfect gift, comfortable apparel and their vibe is cool. The family that runs it are really great people.

What is your favourite activity?
Mountain biking, golfing and hiking.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Thin crust pizza.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
When I was 16, I learned to downhill ski. I had to ski with a bunch of little kids aged between four and five in my lesson. I was definitely the worst skier from the bunch and required more one-on-one. Despite all of the help, I still managed to shut the chairlift down by getting my pole stuck in the chairlift crank. My pole looked like a curly french fry afterwards.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I get inspired almost every day. If you pay attention, it’s all around you. I am inspired by the kindness of others, by my kids and husband. My 'special moms' community also inspires me through each hospitalization, surgery and hiccup.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
I had a fun childhood. I remember camping with my grandparents, but Christmas mornings were always a highlight. I remember coming up the stairs with my sister in the dark and then noticing this orange blinking light. We got closer to the tree and saw two E.T. dolls with their index fingers blinking. We were E.T. fans so it was super cool.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I’ve been a Roots of Empathy instructor for five years. This volunteer position has me visiting an elementary school with a newborn baby and mom. The kids watch the baby grow through the year and learn about how love grows brains. They learn to love this baby and to step out of themselves and their egocentric thinking and learn empathy. It is a beautiful thing. I also have been a Friend of the Library volunteer for many years and am known for rallying my clients and friends into Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs).

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
It would be to build more empathy. If we can see other’s stories as part of our own story we could work through a lot of the conflict that exists. In yoga, we say Namaste, meaning 'I see you for who you are and for where your life has taken you.' We need more Namaste. That should be a bumper sticker.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Anything outdoors, like kayaking, hiking, golfing, mountain biking and beach volleyball.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
As funny as this sounds, I would go to the library. It’s quiet, local and free. If the weather is great, I would take my borrowed items to a beach and just chill.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
There are so many ‘special’ families (with special needs children) that struggle in this town. I would love to see a respite home that could accommodate wheelchairs and the unique needs of this population so caregivers and parents could get a break for a few days or on a weekend. I really love the work of The Foundry, an integrated mental health youth centre and I dream about a similar place for our disabled kids and families to access resources, counselling and assistance. Being a parent of a special needs child is overwhelming.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The four distinct seasons, its active population and the beauty of the valley.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) Bike around Italy and France on a wine/food tour
2) Take an RV across Canada and the USA
3) Write a book

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I have a twin sister in Saudi Arabia.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Instagram

What is the name of your business/organization?
Mind Over Mat.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I have a Bachelor of Kinesiology degree from the University of Calgary. I have been involved in some very cool projects over my 20+ years in fitness, anything from preparing RCMP for their physical testing to working with overweight youth and a lot in between. Mind Over Mat is my way of mixing all of the things I have learned along the way. Anytime you can help someone become a better version of themselves, it is inspiring. Fitness and wellness is the foundation.

What is the goal of your business?
To bring community together through activity, to support clients in putting their own health on the priority list and to connect people in a discussion or opportunity that they may not have ever had before; hence, our monthly challenges.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Becoming a 'special' mom literally threw me sideways and upside down. Even though I have had 10 years to figure some of it out, I still struggle with the letting go of how I want things to be for my daughter. I struggle with having no control over what her prognosis is and with staying present each day. I can get caught up in so much worry and fear that I forget about the fact that I can’t control it all. She reminds me all the time that this life is fragile, beautiful and challenging all at once.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I don’t believe in starting over. I believe in re-inventing yourself. All of my life lessons have brought me here. I have somehow been able to find the grace in this life and somehow been able to stay married and laugh everyday. I could have easily given up on a career path because of the enormity of our situation, but my life lessons taught me to be resilient. My daughter continues to teach me resiliency. Life is good like that.

What do you always find yourself saying?
In my work I say 'You got this, do not stop!' and in my home I'm always asking 'Where is my phone?'

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I think Ellen Degeneres would be fun. We could dance, have a margarita and talk about the kindness of people. I would tell her about the time a complete stranger gave a hotel staff member an envelope to give to us on check-out. It had American cash in it and a note that I have never forgotten: 'For your special needs daughter- For those that have been honoured, I honour thee'. I would tell her about the time that my community made up shirts for our family to keep us going through a difficult time. I would share with her the time that our meal was paid for and a note on the bill said 'Angels are watching over you.'

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
We moved to Kelowna to get more in touch with our community. I support local businesses because I am one and because we are all connected!

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
My kids and my journey into the special needs world. We have literally been overwhelmed with support when things have been bad. Our community also raised $15,000 for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice (a place we hold close to our hearts) in one night. It was humbling and the least alone I’ve ever felt on this bumpy road.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
I am giving a shout out to all of the special needs parents and caregivers who are doing the best they can. I am letting you know that I see you and I celebrate the ‘inch-stones’ along side you. We don’t give ourselves enough credit, so let this be my little contribution.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Gail MacQueen Harrison from the Cops for Kids Charitable Foundation. I guarantee you haven't met a woman like this.

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna.