The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Athlete embodies spirit of Special Olympics
Woman tells Washington lawmakers how the Games made a difference in her life
WEST CORNWALL — What is a Special Olympian?
The athletes are seen on television, participating in the annual games around the country. Many are young. The Games help these athletes gain confidence and physical fitness while showing the world their competitive spirit. Each has a story to share.
Natasha de Elye Cole, of West Cornwall, is one of those Special Olympians, and she has competing, locally, nationally and even internationally, for 30 years. The experience has enriched her life.
Cole, a 1999 honors graduate of Housatonic Valley Regional High School, was invited to take part in Special Olympics’ “Capitol Hill Day” on Feb. 13. She is now a global messenger for the organization.
Cole, her parents Sally and Toby de Elye Cole, and Debbie Horne, director of communications and marketing for Special Olympics CT, traveled to Washington, D.C., for the annual event, and met with Connecticut lawmakers at the Capitol, to ask for financial support for the health and education programs that are offered to athletes by the Special Olympics.
The contingent had seven meetings between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
“The first meeting of the day was with Eamonn Collins, a member of Sen. Chris Murphy’s staff, who was very generous with his time and was warmly welcoming, reaffirming Chris’ support of Special Olympics,” said Sally de Elye Cole.
The family took a walk over to the House side of the Capitol to the offices of U.S. Reps. Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes, Elizabeth Esty, John Larson and Joe Courtney, Sally de Elye Cole said. Cole was fortunate to meet Esty and Courtney, who showed great interest and support for the Special Olympics programs, her mother said.
“It was good to meet them,” Cole said. “We talked about what Special Olympics can do and how important it is.”
Cole shared stories of her involvement in Special Olympics, which started 30 years ago with track and field events up to today’s cross-country skiing, bowling and speed walking.
She talked about the opportunities given to her and her fellow athletes, such as meeting new people and making new friends, meeting the challenges in competitions and doing their best. The Special Olympics provides the chance to travel and see new places.
Cole went to Austria and took part in the World Winter Games 2017 last March, representing Connecticut and the United States as a member of the cross-country ski team. She won two gold medals in the 100-meter and the 50meter
races.
“It was a wonderful trip (going to the World Winter Games),” said her father, Toby de Elye Cole. “We met so many people there . ... After the Games, we went to Salzberg, and then to England, visiting my wife’s family, and then to France and Spain, so Natasha was able to see parts of Europe. It was very nice for all of us to travel as a family.”
During her Washington, D.C. visit, Cole explained the health benefits of being part of Special Olympics, which offers free health screenings and teaches preventative care for athletes through six wellness programs. She has been involved in the Fit Feet, Health Promotion and Special Smiles programs, which are tailored to help athletes get in shape for competition, and to learn to stay healthy.
In a prepared speech, Cole said her health is important to her well-being and sports, so she can do her best as an athlete, building stamina and pushing herself at the
gym every day. She enjoys skiing with her father in the fields around their home in West Cornwall.
“Special Olympics gives me and all my fellow athletes so many opportunities, such as meeting new people and making new friends, meeting the challenges in competitions and doing our best,” she said in her speech. “We take a lot of pride in meeting our goals and always have lots of fun socializing with everybody ... friends, coaches, and also medical care people for the athletes. They help us everywhere we go, such as state and world (Games) just in case we get injured or sick.”
The last meeting of the day was with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s Legislative Assistant, Khaliyl Lane, who was impressed by Natasha’s cross-country skiing success.
“He much appreciated her sharing her thoughts on how much help people with disabilities receive and how much richer their lives are made from being part of
Special Olympics,” Sally de Elye Cole said.
Cole remains a dedicated sportswoman. When she began competing as a young girl, she skiied, and moved on to other sports as the years went by. In preparation for the World Winter Games last year, she signed up for training at Energy Fitness on Field Street in Torrington. The gym donated her membership to prepare for the trip to Austria, and she renewed it this year to keep up with her training.
“We knew the gym was a good thing for Natasha, so she joined to keep going,” her father said.
“I (work out) because it helps, and because I need to lose weight,” Cole said with a smile. “And I like to go — I had a trainer for cardio exercises, and I still do that.”
Cole has many to thank for her experiences as a Special Olympian. Her membership with LARC in Torrington, which tapped her to participate in the World Winter Games, opened the fitness world to her. LARC was founded by
families to help people with disabilities. Today, about 570 adults and children throughout Litchfield County benefit from LARC’s programs and services.
“Tom Stanton (director of vocational support at LARC), and Celeste Turner, were a big help to me,” Cole said.
When she’s not working out or urging legislators to support Special Olympics, Cole has plenty to keep her busy. She works at the Torrington Child Care Center five days a week. She loves to read, write and watch movies, take photographs and spend time with her boyfriend, Scott.
Cole loves to cook and bake. Her specialties include apple pies — she won a prize at the Goshen Fair last year — and she loves Chinese food.
“My family likes to cook, too — we make Indian food, with all kinds of curries,” she said, adding they will prepare a feast of corned beef and Irish soda bread for St. Patrick’s Day. “I love that soda bread.”