Parents of the Blue Springs Special Olympics players clapped Saturday afternoon even as the opposing team scored a basket.
That's because in the Special Olympics, they're all playing – and cheering – for the same team.
Basketball games and individual skills play for those with special needs took place all day Saturday at Sunny Vale, Delta Woods, Moreland Ridge and Brittany Hill middle schools in the Blue Springs School District. Fort Osage, William Chrisman and Blue Springs high schools were among Eastern Jackson County schools that participated.
At Sunny Vale Middle School, 16-year-old Allison Byrd worked with two teammates in a 3-on-3 game. Her father, Mike Byrd, is the president of the Blue Springs Special Olympics Booster Parents.
A Blue Springs High School student, Allison was 11 months old when Patricia and Mike Byrd adopted her from China. When Allison moved to the United States, the adoption agency, her pediatrician and her new parents all believed her developmental issues were because of a lack of stimulation in her orphanage, Mike said.
She was about 4 years old when she was diagnosed with autism, a pervasive developmental disorder and a group of illnesses that involve delays in development of basic skills like social interaction and communication.
"You have the shock, you have the denial, you have the grief cycle, just like any parent with any other issue that affects your child," said Mike, who also has a 14-year-old son, Zachary. Zachary was adopted from Korea. "I think we kind of worked through some of that quicker or differently than some families because my adult sister was special needs, so I've always had special needs kids at home or around. That's just sort of who we are."
"Allie, what grade were you in when you started playing?" Mike asks his daughter. "You did bowling first. Were you at James Lewis or at Delta Woods?"
"Delta Woods!" Allison tells her father of when her multi-sport journey in Special Olympics began. She participates in bowling, swimming, bocce ball, track and field and basketball.
"That's the key right there – all kids need some physical activity, not just for the physical but also for the mental," Mike said. Special Olympics athletes learn to control their attitudes, take turns, share the ball and participate as a team, he said.
Nothing compares to the friendships and relationships the athletes develop. On Saturday morning, Allison called her Special Olympics friend and teammate D.J., wanting to know why D.J. wasn't at Sunny Vale Middle School yet.
The parents, too, form friendships and connections as their children participate in sports.
"With the booster organization, that's also a very healthy thing for us parents," Mike Byrd said. "I'm not going to say it's like a grief or recovery group and hug everybody and 'Kumbaya,' but it also provides an outlet for the parents to exchange resources and ideas. We educate each other about resources in the community."
He experiences feelings while watching his daughter participate in sports just like other parents: competitiveness, excitement and pride.
"I love the fact that she's playing. I'm thrilled – just as she is – when she scores," Mike said with a smile. "And really, the emotions I have for Allison's participation are just as valuable and just as intense as a parent as are my reactions to my son who plays competitive soccer."
|
|
|
Parents of the Blue Springs Special Olympics players clapped Saturday afternoon even as the opposing team scored a basket.
That's because in the Special Olympics, they're all playing – and cheering – for the same team.
Basketball games and individual skills play for those with special needs took place all day Saturday at Sunny Vale, Delta Woods, Moreland Ridge and Brittany Hill middle schools in the Blue Springs School District. Fort Osage, William Chrisman and Blue Springs high schools were among Eastern Jackson County schools that participated.
At Sunny Vale Middle School, 16-year-old Allison Byrd worked with two teammates in a 3-on-3 game. Her father, Mike Byrd, is the president of the Blue Springs Special Olympics Booster Parents.
A Blue Springs High School student, Allison was 11 months old when Patricia and Mike Byrd adopted her from China. When Allison moved to the United States, the adoption agency, her pediatrician and her new parents all believed her developmental issues were because of a lack of stimulation in her orphanage, Mike said.
She was about 4 years old when she was diagnosed with autism, a pervasive developmental disorder and a group of illnesses that involve delays in development of basic skills like social interaction and communication.
"You have the shock, you have the denial, you have the grief cycle, just like any parent with any other issue that affects your child," said Mike, who also has a 14-year-old son, Zachary. Zachary was adopted from Korea. "I think we kind of worked through some of that quicker or differently than some families because my adult sister was special needs, so I've always had special needs kids at home or around. That's just sort of who we are."
"Allie, what grade were you in when you started playing?" Mike asks his daughter. "You did bowling first. Were you at James Lewis or at Delta Woods?"
"Delta Woods!" Allison tells her father of when her multi-sport journey in Special Olympics began. She participates in bowling, swimming, bocce ball, track and field and basketball.
"That's the key right there – all kids need some physical activity, not just for the physical but also for the mental," Mike said. Special Olympics athletes learn to control their attitudes, take turns, share the ball and participate as a team, he said.
Nothing compares to the friendships and relationships the athletes develop. On Saturday morning, Allison called her Special Olympics friend and teammate D.J., wanting to know why D.J. wasn't at Sunny Vale Middle School yet.
The parents, too, form friendships and connections as their children participate in sports.
"With the booster organization, that's also a very healthy thing for us parents," Mike Byrd said. "I'm not going to say it's like a grief or recovery group and hug everybody and 'Kumbaya,' but it also provides an outlet for the parents to exchange resources and ideas. We educate each other about resources in the community."
He experiences feelings while watching his daughter participate in sports just like other parents: competitiveness, excitement and pride.
"I love the fact that she's playing. I'm thrilled – just as she is – when she scores," Mike said with a smile. "And really, the emotions I have for Allison's participation are just as valuable and just as intense as a parent as are my reactions to my son who plays competitive soccer."
