This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
indeed


to be mentally challenged and suffer de- velopmental delays. He did not walk until he was four.


This year Jason took home a gold medal


in the 50-meter run. His mother watched and cheered, along with thousands of spectators.


“It’s almost like a moment where you can witness a miracle happening,” Wright said.


Preparation for the Special Olympics begins long before the opening ceremo- nies for Jason. Wright said she spends a lot of time with her son in their back- yard as he trains for his events; and of- ten she will take him to the Oklahoma State University track or a nearby junior- high track to get in quality practice. She said the Special Olympics make him feel impor tant and valued.


“I can see it in his face. It’s his one time every year to shine. He has such a pre- cious way about him …and a very strong spirit,” Wright said.


Although the Special Olympics is ulti- mately about the athletes, Wright said she sees the co-op volunteers so excited to help and described volunteering as both a leadership opportunity and a way of giving back to help others have a better quality of life.


Tonia Allred is a benefi ts specialist at Choctaw Electric Co-op who has been vol- unteering at the Special Olympics since 1999, with only a few years missed in the that time. The Special Olympics became more personal for Allred after her now eight-year-old granddaughter, Kerrigan,


was born with a chromosome deletion, and the family learned that she may not ever talk or walk. Allred said the year after Kerrigan was born, volunteering was very emotional. She could not help but look at all the athletes around her and wonder about her granddaughter’s future. Kerrigan’s future would include being at the Special Olympics with her grand- mother watching her compete this year in running and long-jump events. “She walks, talks, runs, plays, swims… she does it all,” Allred said.


Allred said the volunteers’ hearts are in their work at the Special Olympics. “It’s not just a day off; you’re work-


ing your tail off,” she said. “And, it’s an honor.”


Bryce Hooper, marketing representa- tive at Cotton Electric Co-op, volunteered for the Special Olympics for the fi rst time in 2008. Hooper said one of his former co-workers, now deceased, tried to get him to volunteer when Hooper started with the co-op in 2005; but for a few years, Hooper said he felt intimidated. How- ever, in 2008, with his co-worker too sick to volunteer, Hooper agreed to go in his place. He said he spent the night before his fi rst Special Olympics worrying about what might go wrong and how he would handle being a volunteer; but now, the night before the opening ceremonies, he just cannot wait to get there.


“The athletes’ smiles mean the world to you,” Hooper said.


Continued on page 27 JULY 2011 11


Electric co-op volunteers participate in the 42nd Annual Special Olympic Summer Games in Stillwater. Athletes from 14 geographic areas around the state come together each year to compete in ten sports categories. The 2011 games brought in more than 4,300 competitors.


Photos by OAEC Staff


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88