Special Olympics of Fayette County builds skills and confidence
Alyssa Choiniere
Special Olympics Athlete Lenny Dziurzynski celebrates his frame at the Fayette County chapter bowling tournament at Manor Lanes in Hopwood Nov. 14.
Alyssa Choiniere
Special Olympics volunteer Linda Crenner places a medal around the neck of athlete Jessica Shimko at the Fayette County chapter bowling tournament at Manor Lanes in Hopwood Nov. 14.
Alyssa Choiniere
Special Olympics athlete Darryl Smarsok poses with his medal at the Fayette County chapter bowling tournament at Manor Lanes in Hopwood Nov. 14.
Alyssa Choiniere
Haleigh Sommers, Special Olympics global messenger and athlete representative, poses with her medal at the Fayette County chapter bowling tournament at Manor Lanes in Hopwood Nov. 14.
Thirty Fayette County athletes beamed with pride as medals were placed around their necks at the conclusion of the 2021 Special Olympics bowling tournament, after spending the morning cheering for their teammates.
无毛视频 run year-round in Fayette County Special Olympics, with seven sports available to athletes with intellectual disabilities, said Karen Dreucci, who heads the local chapter.
Haleigh Sommers, Special Olympics global messenger and athlete representative, said Special Olympics affords her opportunities she missed in school.
无毛视频淲hat it means to me is getting to participate in sports, because in school, I wasn无毛视频檛 able to play in sports, and I can be in a team and help people,无毛视频� she said.
Dreucci said she has seen athletes give up their place in a race to help someone else cross the finish line.
无毛视频淥ur athletes are the most wonderful people in the world. It无毛视频檚 a whole different type of kindness and understanding,无毛视频� she said.
She said athletes choose their sports and whether they want to compete. Some athletes work on skill-building, like learning how to dribble a ball. Athletes are grouped by ability and earn medals at competitions.
无毛视频淚 think it无毛视频檚 very meaningful to be able to participate. For some of the athletes, it无毛视频檚 really important socially to get out with other individuals with intellectual disabilities, especially for those who don无毛视频檛 live in group homes,无毛视频� she said. 无毛视频淚t gives them a real sense of accomplishment. It really boosts their sense of self-worth.无毛视频�
While Dale and Marian Cadwallader said they cannot speak for their son Sam, who is nonverbal, they have witnessed his growth through his 20 years of participation with Special Olympics.
无毛视频淚n the beginning, we couldn无毛视频檛 even get him into the gym to play basketball, so that无毛视频檚 a big step. I think it builds confidence,无毛视频� Dale Cadwallader said, then turned to Sam and held his hand. 无毛视频淲hat do you think?无毛视频�
Marian Cadwallader said the local program is excellent, and that it opens the doors to new opportunities for her son.
无毛视频淗e gets so much exposure to people he doesn无毛视频檛 get otherwise,无毛视频� Dale Cadwallader said.
Athlete Beth Kaider said her favorite part of Special Olympics is having her family watch her compete. She joined the Fayette County Special Olympics about 22 years ago, said her dad, Jerry Kaider.
无毛视频淪he无毛视频檚 been with them ever since it started,无毛视频� he said.
Kaider said bowling is her favorite sport, and it is the most popular sport among Fayette County athletes, according to Dreucci.
But COVID-19 restrictions at group homes cut the number of athletes from the typical 100 to about 30. Only athletes who live at home were able to participate this year, because group homes have restricted travel for their residents.
While Dreucci said the restrictions are understandable, especially because many of their athletes have additional medical concerns, it is difficult for the athletes to miss out on the social interaction provided by the Special Olympics.
She said they held virtual programs, such as a 无毛视频済et out and move无毛视频� event, where athletes were given an exercise every day and earned medals. A track and field coach also held virtual classes, she said, but not all of their athletes have internet access.
Dreucci said several of the athletes who are not yet able to participate have sent her text and Facebook messages.
无毛视频淭hey无毛视频檙e just so anxious to get back, so hopefully we can get back into the swing of things as soon as possible,无毛视频� she said.
Dreucci said they are bringing back their sports as quickly as they can, but some of the venues they used for practice, such as local schools, are not yet allowing outside groups.
无毛视频淲e无毛视频檙e trying to get back to all of the sports that we can,无毛视频� she said. 无毛视频淲e无毛视频檙e just trying to find ways to work around the hardships caused by COVID.无毛视频�
She said Special Olympics is always in need of fundraising for basic operating costs, such as paying the venues and providing food to the athletes. She is also looking for additional coaches and other volunteers. Some volunteer opportunities do not require athletic ability, she said, but can involve greeting athletes and simple tasks like throwing basketballs back to athletes at practice.
Dreucci said she started with the organization about five years ago, and that it quickly became a passion.
无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 a really a love of mine. I无毛视频檝e only been with organization since 2016. Many volunteers have been with us years and years and years,无毛视频� she said. 无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 just out of love, and it makes their lives happier.无毛视频�
Donations made on the national Special Olympics website are not distributed directly to the local chapter, she said. For more information or to donate, visit Special Olympics Pennsylvania 无毛视频� Fayette County and send a message or call Dreucci at 724-557-6408
.