Ask any parent of a special needs child and they’ll tell you the stares bother them. The cold, judgemental, sometimes fearful stares of strangers trained on their child and on them. It happens every day wherever they go – stores, restaurants, schools, businesses; but not last Friday, not here in Habersham. Thousands of eyes were on the mentally and physically challenged children of Habersham but those eyes were backed up by voices cheering them on during the county’s Special Olympics Spring Games.
It was a good thing, an amazing thing, an inspiring thing to hear and to watch.
Seventy athletes ranging in age from 2nd grade to adulthood took to John Larry Black Field in Mt. Airy. Some walked, some rode in wheelchairs and strollers, some knew exactly what was happening while others were unsure, but they all participated. “The best part about today is that they’re in the spotlight. It’s all about them,” says South Habersham Middle School Principal Daphne Penick. “They’re champions every day.”
Champions beyond the foot and bike races. Champions beyond the softball and tennis ball throws. Champions beyond what words can convey.
“Words can’t describe how I feel,” says Tracey Clarke of her daughter Riley. “She is amazing, very strong, strong willed: She’s overcome a lot.” Tears well up in Clarke’s eyes as she reflects on her fifth and youngest child, Riley. 12-year old Riley has cerebral palsy. She’s epileptic, sight and hearing impaired, cognitively delayed, suffers life-threatening allergies and requires daily growth hormone injections. She’s under the care of ten different specialists and her mom readily admits raising Riley’s a challenge, but it’s one of her family’s greatest joys. “She fills our heart,” Clarke says. “We couldn’t go a day without her. She brings so much to our lives. She touches everyone.”
Riley touched a stadium full of hearts Friday. After being presented an award for designing this year’s Spring Games t-shirt the North Habersham Middle School 6th grader looked up to the stands, blew her mother a kiss and in front of everyone shouted “I love you, Mom.” It was a moment of pure emotion. A moment not lost on the object of her affection.
“It was a beautiful thing,” Clarke says. “There was a time she couldn’t do that. She couldn’t blow a kiss. She couldn’t talk. Now, to see her persevere through all her struggles, it meant more to me than life itself.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by the family members of other Special Olympians who took part in Friday’s games. When Kendall Greene of South Habersham Middle School took to the starting line for the 100-meter dash, his mom, dad and aunt were right there in the stands cheering him and his fellow athletes to victory. “Oh, he loves it,” says Kendall’s mom Linda Palmer. “I’m just so proud of them all. It’s their time to shine and to show what they can do.” Kendall’s aunt Wanda Gunn has been cheering a long time. “I love it,” Gunn says. “I come every year and it just makes me want to cry. They’re such special people.”
Even a long night of work couldn’t keep Kendall’s father away. “I enjoy watching him. I enjoy watching the other kids here having a good time,” says Allan Greene. “I’m proud of him and I’m glad to see he’s come a long way from where we first started. He really enjoys it. All these people are his friends and he feels comfortable with them. It’s a good thing.”
A good thing made possible by the help and generosity of dozens of sponsors, fifteen local school coaches and up to 200 volunteers. Casey Mote is the Special Olympics Training Coordinator. He’s been doing this now for 22 years. “It’s a day where these kids can shine. They struggle fitting in but this is a day where all the focus is on them.”
From cheers to tears and back again, this year’s Habersham County Special Olympics Spring Games ran the gamut of emotion as the athletes proved to everyone they’re not just champions on the field…they’re champions in life!
