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It’s the moment that athletes dream of. Standing on the podium and having that medal hung around their neck. Gold, silver or bronze, these symbolize months and sometimes years of hard work that has paid off. Time and sacrifice for both the athlete and their families have come full circle and the journey is complete. Although the path to the podium may be different, for the athletes of the North Carolina Special Olympics, the journey is the same.
From May 31-June 2 of this year, athletes from across North Carolina competed in the 2018 Special Olympics Summer games.Athletes competed in events such as bowling, cheerleading, cycling, gymnastics, powerlifting, softball, swimming and volleyball. The largest state-level event for Special Olympics North Carolina, Raleigh has hosted the games since 1995 and for the last two years the gymnastics portion of the games has been held at Sonshine Gymnastics in Holly Springs.
In 2017, after reviewing three location options, the Board of the NC Special Olympics asked Sonshine if they would be willing to host the gymnastics portion of the games. The answer was a resounding yes, and they have enjoyed every minute of it since. “In 2017 we had 60 athletes and in 2018 we had 92. Word is getting out,” said Tara Jones, Director at Sonshine. The number of athletes from Sonshine gymnastics has also increased over the last several years. According to coach Brenda Candland, Sonshine started with four or five athletes four years ago and this year they were up to eighteen.
Because of the special needs of the athletes, coaching can be a challenge, but one that Brenda takes on with pride and compassion. As the mom of a special needs son, Brenda takes the time to talk to each family before they begin their work so she can learn their story and determine what avenue is best for them. The nature of the Special Olympics is not a “one-size-fits-all” type of structure, so by taking the time to get to know each family, Brenda can customize the plan for each athlete. “Brenda is truly the driving force behind working with the athletes,” said Tara. In fact, it isn’t unusual to see Coach Brenda on the floor with her athletes while they perform their routine. “It is sometimes difficult for our gymnasts to remember their routine, so I will be on the floor doing it with them to help them remember,” Brenda said.
Excitement in the Air
The vibe and atmosphere at Sonshine during the Olympic Games is nothing short of electric. Both Brenda and Tara said that there are goosebumps and tears of joy for every athlete that competes. The pride of the families is tangible as they watch their athlete perform and realize what they can do rather than focus on the things they may not be able to do. “The kids are excited to be there, to be on the floor and be a part of something like this,” Brenda said. “As a parent who doesn’t have an athlete competing, it is amazing to see what they can do and to watch their personalities come out,” Tara added.
The excitement is not limited to the competing. After receiving their medals, the athletes receive goodie bags and flowers and enjoy time together celebrating their accomplishments. “We feed everyone, not just the athletes!” Brenda said. This year they had food donated from Zaxby’s and Freddy’s to help fuel the athletes and keep the hunger at bay for the coaches and families as they cheered on their favorite athlete.
The Mission Continues
Sonshine’s mission to help all children achieve success and reach their greatest potential doesn’t end with the Special Olympic Games. Sonshine offers classes, typically on Saturday evenings, that are specifically for those athletes that may need special attention. Since some athletes may have sensory issues, having the classes on Saturday evenings when the gym is less crowded can help alleviate some of the anxiety that can come with large crowds and loud noises. The classes are drop-in, but do require online registration.
The owners of Sonshine Gymnastics, Heidi and Milan Stanovich, are dedicated to their community and will do “whatever the community needs to make a program happen,” said Tara. Their support for the specific programs at Sonshine and the Special Olympics games is evident, said Tara. “They are always behind us to make sure all children are included.”
How You Can Be Involved
Sonshine is already gearing up for the 2019 summer games, in fact, they already have a gymnast signed up to compete. There are several ways that people can help support the Special Olympics of North Carolina. Donations of items for goodie bags or sweet treats for the athletes are always welcome, and any help with the cost of leotards and shorts is welcome. Wake County will only be offering help for half of this cost beginning next year.
We’ve all heard stories of athletes competing for all the wrong reasons; fame, money, admiration. For the Special Olympics athletes, they are competing because they can. Because they want to show the world that special needs does not mean incapable. Special needs does not mean untalented. The Special Olympics is special for so many reasons that have nothing to do with the capabilities of its athletes. It’s special for its purpose, its strength of community and most of all, the belief that everyone deserves a chance to shine.
