Special Olympics Northern California State Championships Opening Ceremony

Last night was the 2012 Summer Games Special Olympics Northern Nevada State Championship Opening Ceremony.  Whew, say that in one breath.  LOL.

Here are a few pictures from last night.  Can't wait to watch the competition.

If you get a chance, check out the web site for Northern California Special Olympics HERE.

Be gentle.

A company that makes a difference

My hero!  A company making a difference in the lives of those with intellectual disabilities.  Thank you.  You rock American Diagnostic Corporation.

Its about ability... not disability.

For nearly a quarter of a century, ADC has made it part of our mission to employ the intellectually disabled.

It all started in 1987. The Long Island job market was bustling. We were in our infancy and struggling to find capable production staff. One day, a young man showed up at our door. He had a note with him that read “My name is Glen. I’m disabled and need a job”. He had ridden his bike 7 miles to get to our facility, then in West Babylon.

Although ambivalent about the likelihood for success we took a chance on Glen and never looked back. Today we employ a dozen individuals with intellectual disabilities in positions ranging from maintenance to shipping; production to quality control. AHRC’s Supported Work Program helped select, train and even manage the hires. Marc Blitstein, ADC’s CEO sits on the board of AHRC (Suffolk chapter) - one of the largest NY agencies serving this population. Over the past 20 years ADC has raised and donated well over $250,000 to their programs. But more importantly, over that period we have employed dozens and demonstrated that it really is about ABILITY.

To commemorate the Silver Anniversary of our work with the intellectually disabled we have developed this symbol of our involvement. Most of our products will feature the decal above prominently displayed. We will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of EVERY product bearing this sticker to the AHRC (Suffolk Chapter) to help them continue to provide programs to the 2000 individuals and families that they serve. If you would like to learn more about AHRC click the link... http://www.ahrcsuffolk.org.

Be gentle.

Special Olympics State Championships, WE ARE THERE!.

June 22 - 24, 2012

Are you gonna be there?  The Olympics will be in Davis CA for the weekend, SPECIAL OLYMPICS!  We are going to be there cheering Davey and the rest of the athletes to victory. First or last, they are all winners.  Won't you join us?

From the Galt Herald, our local newspaper.

Galt athletes to compete at Special Olympics summer games this weekend in Davis

David Verissimo, Jr. wins two gold medals and one silver medal at the Special Olympics regional track and field competition in May, which earns him a spot at the Summer Games this weekend.

Published:

Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:18 PM CDT

Only two slots were available at this weekend’s Summer Olympics, but five Galt area athletes gave it their all at a May regional meet and ended up with the knowledge they had done well enough to compete at the next level.

Raul Ramirez, Jr., Elias Reed, Kaily Riley, David Verissimo, Jr. and William Spencer Woods of the Galt Chiefs all competed at the Rancho Cordova regional meet for the Special Olympics in May and after having to choose two athletes to represent the team at the Special Olympics Northern California 2012 Summer Games, David Jr. and Elias were selected for the honor.

Now, the two will compete at the June 22-24 meet at the University of California, Davis

At regionals, Raul competed in the 100 meter run, 50 meter run and softball throw. He finished in fourth place in the 100 meter run after earning a time of 33.22 seconds. In the 50 meter run, he won with his time of 12.10 seconds, while in the softball throw, he also won, earning a distance of 4.5200 meters.

Elias won three gold medals after winning the 100 meter run (19.47), 50 meter run (9.36) and softball throw (12.3800).

Kaily, 24, won two gold medals and finished second in the last event. In the 100 meter run, she won with her time of 24 seconds, while she won the 200 meter run with her time of 54.5. She placed second in the shot put in her age group with a distance of 2.4600 meters.

David won two first place medals and one second place in his events. He won the 100 meter run at 29.78 second, finished second in the 50 meter run at 12.0 seconds and won the softball throw for his age group at 13.75 meters.

William Spencer Woods won both events he competed in, including the 100 meter run (24.69) and the shot put (2.7300 meters).

The qualification for an athlete to compete at the Summer Games is to be a gold-medal winner at the regional level, said Becky Smith, who is one of three of the Galt Chiefs’ coaches for the Summer Games. The other two coaches are David Verissimo Sr. and volunteer coach Daniel Reed.

Both Elias and David competed in every sport that the Chiefs participated in, said Smith, including soccer, basketball and track and field. Spencer and Raul also participated in all three sports, while Kaily participated in track and field for the Chiefs, which is made up of athletes from most of the schools in Galt, according to Smith. Athletes from Galt Adult Community Training also participate and ages for the team’s members range from eight to the mid 40s.

To be able to compete at the Summer Games will be a unique opportunity for the two young athletes; about 900 athletes and coaches will participate in four sports. Aquatics, bocce, track and field and tennis will be the four areas of competition at U.C. Davis. The Galt Chiefs were among 6,776 track and field athletes who competed in 12 regional competitions for the chance to compete at the state-level Summer Games.

Both Elias, David and their family and fans will be looking forward to the opening ceremonies, which take place at Aggie Stadium at 7:30  p.m. and competition, which starts Saturday and ends Sunday.

Both the opening ceremonies and competitions are free to the public.

Be gentle.

Symbols, images and logos of Down Syndrome

I have seen so many images, symbols and logos representing Down Syndrome.  I thought it would be fun to put together a list.  Do you have a favorite?  Please let me know if you have more!

Be gentle.

The Special Mother (or Father)

I read this short essay from Erma Bombeck long before our son was born.  Always loved it.  Often, other people will say to me and my husband, "I don't know how you do it?" or "That must be hard".  Most of the time we don't think about Down Syndrome or that our child has special needs.  We just parent our child to the best of our ability.

Yesterday, David and Davey were at Costco getting a battery for our vehicle.  They wanted to stop at the food court on the way out to get a drink.  David was pushing the cart with the new battery in it.  He gave Davey a dollar and told him to go get a soda.  David told me about a conversation he had with an older woman (she looked like someone's loving Grandma) who spoke limited English.  She told David he was a great parent and our son was beautiful.  She told David that she had a nephew "like your son".  She was sweet and truly happy to watch Davey and David interacting.  It made me very proud to listen to David tell me this story last night.  Both of my son and my husband.

Being a parent of a child with Down Syndrome was not something we had planned.  But it is something we are now.  We have a special child with special needs.  There is nothing special about me and David.  We just keep on keeping on.

The Special Mother

by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.


This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?


Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.


"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."


"Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."


"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."


Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."


The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."


"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."


"But has she patience?" asks the angel.


"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."


"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has her own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."


"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"


God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'". She will never consider a "step" ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"


"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".


"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.


God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."




Be gentle.