Gates gives thumbs up to 38 years with special Olympians

Another year of Catoosa Schools’ annual Special Olympics is in the books.

The joyful day, that took place on May 14 at Ringgold High School, was celebrated with hugs, warm smiles and ribbons as well as some tears. Audrey Gates definitely was one who had tears.

The Catoosa Schools’ occupational therapist, who is set to retire, did her part to give back to the kids she says have given her “so much happiness,” after 38 years on the job. Gates has offered tons of words of encouragement and praise to all the athletes during that tenure.

“You know, we just love our kids,” she said of Catoosa Schools. “We love them! They’re so much fun.”

Gates said she’s often commended for what she’s done with her students. To that she said her response is always the same.

“People tell me I’ve given so much,” she said. “They give to me, which makes it hard to leave…I’m old enough to retire though and my knees are shot.”

Gates said she’s super excited about her new job, which includes being a first-time grandmother.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be a girl or a boy,” she said. “I’m pretty excited though.”

Gates said her passion has always been children. She said she’s always used the same approach when it comes to making milestones that sometimes require baby steps.

“One of the wonderful things about working with kids as opposed to adults is everything they get is something new,” she said. “We celebrate everything. We celebrate potties, pulling up pants and writing in cursive. From beginning to the end we celebrate things like picking up a spoon.”

Gates said the hardest part of her job is often feeling like she cannot do enough.

"I think the hardest thing is when parents are really struggling and there’s only so much you can do to