A couple of weeks ago Evan was invited to be one of the Special Olympics athletes to represent San Luis Obispo County in the Southern California division meet.  He went down on a charter bus with his team Friday night and stayed in the dorms at Cal State Long Beach. Mike and I took a little side visit to see our newest little grandson and the rest of his family first. 

Little Joshua.  What a precious baby!

Kyle with Mr. Potato Head.

Who knew Mr. Potato Head would be a cuddly toy??

Evan gearing up for the big race. 

Speedy Gonzales going down the track!  Who is that screaming manic lady???

Evan won two gold medals!!

After the races it was off to the Expo.  Evan enjoyed a safari.

And helping the FBI!!

It's always great to get a thumbs up from Good Ol' Smokey!!

Special Olympics was very inspiring.  I loved seeing all the Law Enforcement officials out supporting the athletes. I wish I had video of one of the races. As I watched the runners line up, I could see that one of them used forearm crutches.  I thought to myself, well, that's not very fair, how can he ever win.  You should have seen that guy run!  He won the race!!  The crowd went mad!!  The enthusiasm of these athletes is just amazing!

Special Olympics

My feelings towards Special Olympics have always been rather ambivalent.  I remember Evan's first Special Olympics many years ago.  My little eight year old Special Olympian competed in a manual wheelchair race against an adult!!  Didn't seem like he had a chance to win.  Not that winning is the most important thing.  Still...it didn't seem right to me.  Then there was the year that one of the clowns forced a latex balloon on Evan, who has a latex allergy.  I watched this from the stands during the parade of athletes, not being able to do anything.   Fortunately, he did not have a reaction.  I tried to discuss with the "powers to be" about the dangers of latex allergy, that they also used to decorate.  "They" didn't listen to me and still loved using the latex balloons to decorate and mark the different tents, etc.  So, I just tried to keep him away from the balloons.  Then there was the year that Evan competed in boce ball and one of the mothers stepped in and helped her son's team to win.  So, unfair!!!  

Through it all, Evan has enjoyed Special Olympics.  It makes him happy to compete.  So, I let him compete.  Last year was his first year winning a gold medal and I missed it to attend the funeral of a close friend. 

So, yesterday I was ready to attend Special Olympics again  and...

my Special Olympian was ready too!!

Evan was on The Learning Center team.

Evan loved being on the track!

 He raced his friend Katie in the 30 meter shalom. 

They both did great in the shalom thanks to power wheelchair soccer drills.

It was fun to see them on the medal stand together!

Yeah, Evan and Katie!!!!  It was great to hear all the cheering for all the athletes!!

 

  Evan got to go through a "human tunnel" after the award ceremony.  I was backing up to get the video and ended up in this man's lap who was in a wheelchair.  Maybe he hadn't had anybody in his lap for a long time.  He just busted up laughing and I was so embarrassed.  

 Evan earned two gold medals yesterday, and also a special award for Most Supportive Athlete.  This award goes to those who "exemplify a caring and supportive attitude towards others".   I was pretty proud.  

At Special Olympics they always have a "tent city".  Different businesses and community organizations have booths with games and prizes.  At one booth they were giving out trophies.  Not just any trophy, but trophies that other people had earned and donated to Special Olympics.

I was very touched that people would give up their trophies to give to others.  Thank you, Lauren, I don't even know you, but Evan loves this soccer trophy!!

Yesterday's opening ceremony was very touching to me.  One of the local schools brought their band and their cheerleaders to support their team.  I had never seen that before. It impressed me.  It just seemed all around to me a more supportive feeling from than in years past.  Oh, and one more thing that made me very happy was I did not see a single latex balloon the whole day.  Yeah!!