Athletes’ skills change lives

The inscription on Tyson Smith’s silver medal affirms that the award is for “skill, courage, sharing, joy” — the core principles of the Special Olympics, which Tyson has been a part of since high school. He is the quarterback of the flag football team, which won second place at the state competition at Emory University in May.

Just as the U.S. Olympic team prepares to compete in Brazil, so do Fayette’s approximately 500 Special Olympics athletes — ranging in age from 8 to 69 — develop skills and practice regularly to compete several times a year at the state and local level. Events include track and field, swimming, tennis, skiing, softball, basketball, power lifting, sailing and table tennis.

At 33, Tyson is a well-liked leader who proudly shows off the plaque noting that he was named Male Athlete of the Year at the fall 2010 competition in Statesboro.

Debbie Parrish, therapeutic coordinator for the Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department, has overseen the county’s Special Olympics program for 12 years. About 60 Fayette athletes competed at the Emory games.

“It’s grown astronomically,” she says, giving people with cognitive and developmental challenges the chance to succeed and grow.

Fayette’s program needs about $15,000 a year to pay for transportation, competition fees and uniforms. The athletes are not charged to participate, and the program does not get regular county, state or national funds. The teams rely on individual donations, grants and local fundraisers.

Fayette has about 45 certified coaches, all of whom are volunteers and many of whom have children or other family members with special needs.

“You couldn’t ask for a greater group of people to work with these kids,” says Tyson’s mother, Elizabeth. “We consider them family.”

Twenty-year-old Helena Fickling clutched an armful of medals when she sat down to tell me about her sports. The Whitewater High School student has been in Special Olympics since she was 8, and competes in gymnastics, volleyball, bocce, horseback riding and more. With her seemingly boundless energy, it’s no wonder she recently completed a 5K race at Cleveland Elementary School in only 44 minutes.

Helena’s mother, Frances Stewart, credits the Special Olympics for fostering a sense of independence and teamwork among the athletes, especially since “they don’t just give you medals”; the athletes learn the value of working hard.

Debbie Parrish says she has watched a lot of the athletes grow up, learning how to communicate better and take on leadership roles. These skills carry over into more independent living.

Tyson is a custodian at Spring Hill Elementary School, and says he plans to continue competing but would also consider becoming a softball coach. Helena has a summer job leading a chair aerobics class at the Arbor Terrace senior living complex.

So as you cheer the U.S. athletes in Rio, remember the skill, courage and joy of our special athletes here.