Special Olympic swim team brings out the best in athletes and volunteers By Mike Moore GROSSE POINTE WOODS — In almost the same instant the car came to a stop, the back door swung open and out hopped Trevor Beck. A duffle bag in one hand and a smile plastered to his face, his destination was finally in sight. Had his mother’s hand not come down to guide him, Beck may have just flown from the parking lot to the back door at Parcells Middle School in Grosse Pointe Woods. Once inside, it took just moments for Beck, 12, to dispose of his sweatpants and T-shirt, hand his bag over to his mom and dart to the pool. His smile and excitement grew as he dipped a toe into the water, checking the temperature — hot, cold or anywhere in between — it didn’t matter. He pierced the water with a splash fit for a warm summer afternoon, but it was actually 6 p.m. on a cool May 1 evening and fun was officially in session. ‘They are an inspiration’ Born with Down syndrome, Beck is one of the youngest members on the Grosse Pointe/Harper Woods Special Olympic swim team. His teammates’ disabilities range from Down syndrome to sever autism to diseases dealing with motor skills to legal blindness. Constant attention is needed for some athletes, while others only require an encouraging word now and then. This, however, is where one of the most fascinating aspects of the team can be seen, or heard. While 27 swimmers take to the water each practice, more than 35 volunteers either dive in right next to them or pace on the deck outside the pool. They arrive from Grosse Pointe North, Grosse Pointe South, the University of Detroit Jesuit, University Liggett, Brownell Middle School and Pierce Middle School, and they are armed with a bathing suit and a desire to help. Most of the volunteers find out about the team by word of mouth, and there never seems to be a shortage of youngsters willing to give up some of their free time to help someone in need. “The volunteers are what make this whole thing possible,” said Todd Briggs, the coach for all three seasons of the team’s existence and the varsity girls swim coach at South. “Each athlete is paired up with a volunteer, and having that closeness in age is such an advantage.” “I speak for everyone when I tell you how much we all enjoy this,” said volunteer Nick Schmidt, a South senior. “I don’t think anyone can grasp what it means to these kids to be able to come out here and swim in an environment like this. And we get to be a part of that.” “Doing this probably means as much to us as it does the swimmers,” said volunteer Eleanor Stafford, a sophomore at South. The joy and energy of each swimmer was matched only by the volunteers’ smiles along side. For some, this hour of practice included a more hands-on approach, helping with floating techniques or the proper stroke. For others, walking back and forth outside the pool was the task at hand, directing words of encouragement to the far lanes. Whatever the objective, it didn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated, as high-fives and hugs from athletes to teachers were a regular occurrence. “Did you see what I did,” one swimmer cried out with delight. “I saw it,” was the proud response. “They do a spectacular job,” swimmer Laura Casey, 22, said of the volunteers. “They are an inspiration to a lot of us, especially the younger kids. They really look up to them.” ‘He lives to swim’ Some sat quietly, watching everything below. Others conversed about the team, the practice or anything else on their mind. Much like the swimmers, the parents have come to realize how special, important and needed this team is. “He lives to swim,” said Jim Gallagher pointing at his son, Jimmy, who was celebrating his 11th birthday that evening. “The awareness and recognition the coaches and volunteers give these kids is tremendous. … These kids come here and are treated like normal children.” “It’s incredible what it does for their self-esteem,” said Carrie Beck, Trevor’s mother. “The satisfaction these kids get from accomplishing something while in the water is so important.” “It’s not only an athletic opportunity for all these kids, it’s also a social event,” said Chris Beck, Trevor’s dad and the coordinator for the Grosse Pointe Special Olympics. “To be around other kids their own age, as well as getting all this one-on-one attention, is something they wouldn’t get anywhere else.” Everyone’s a winner “Aside from a few events, where you have assisted swimming, it’s essentially the same,” Briggs said of the meet format. Some swimmers will advance to the state meet based on times and finishes, but as Briggs explained, “We don’t focus on a certain time or finishing in a certain place. The kids are out there achieving something, and that is the ultimate goal.” It’s a goal, much like everything else the team tackles, that will be realized. Briggs expects the team, made up of swimmers from the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods, to only get bigger over the next few years. “I think with word of mouth, our popularity is only going to increase,” he laughed. Regardless of size, the effect the program has had on the lives of so many remains immeasurable. It’s an effect that knows no boundaries and is blind to disability. It’s an effect that’s felt just as much by those outside the water as the ones in it. You can reach Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1038. |
