Some came home with medals. All came home with memories. This is the beauty of the New Jersey Special Olympics Summer Games.
By: Kyle Moylan
Some came home with medals. All came home with memories. This is the beauty of the New Jersey Special Olympics Summer Games and why Eden Acres athletes have always has been willing participants.
Eden Acres provides supervised group homes and supported-living apartments for adults with autism. There are eight facilities in Mercer County, including ones in East Windsor, Lawrenceville and several in the Robbinsville area.
Last weekend at The College of New Jersey, individuals from Eden Acres took part in the Special Olympics. Among the athletes representing the East Windsor and Robbinsville facilities were Jason White, Bryan Quigley, Kevin Valluzzo, Richard Sykes, Joelle Bredon, Sharon Sanclementi, Michael Schwallie and Paul Miano.
The athletes competed in events such as the 50-yard dash, softball throw and the standing long jump. They all competed for medals, but knew there was much more to be gained this weekend.
"With the nature of autism, our guys don’t always understand the concept of winning and losing," said Gary Montgomery, the assistant director of Eden Acres. "Our guys are great symbols of what the Special Olympics are all about. They just come out, do their events and have a good time. It’s a three-day event. It’s the event of being here, running, having a ball. That’s what Special Olympics has pushed. You come here and have fun."
That, however, is not to imply this isn’t serious competition. The more than 2,300 athletes who competed at the Summer Games had to earn their way there through different qualifying rounds.
The members of Eden Acres had been practicing for the Summer Games for the past month or two under the direction of Mr. Montgomery, the team’s coach.
"The group home in Hightstown has a long driveway," Mr. Montgomery noted. "We used that for running. We also used the track at Hightstown High. We’d also go out to a park, anywhere we could."
When it’s this important, you find a place. You find a way. Eden Acres has always worked on that philosophy.
Mr. Montgomery has been involved with Eden Acres for 18 years. He used to be one of the members of the on-site staff before moving to his current position. "When we’re short-staffed, I do that again," he said with a smile.
When you live and work with individuals for years, it’s hard to walk away.
"We all enjoy it so much, we come back and do these sort of things with the guys," Mr. Montgomery said.
Also helping with the Eden Acres team were Lisa Kianos and Edyta Zak. And all the coaches and athletes were thrown a few curves last weekend.
For starters, what was supposed to be a concert, fireworks show and a few inspirational speeches Friday night in celebration of the opening ceremonies almost turned into a swimming lesson for about 6,000 people. It didn’t just rain, it poured. A few more drops and animals would have started pairing off.
"We were smiling and laughing, but it was getting a little (bizarre) out there," Mr. Montgomery laughed.
The speeches, fireworks and concert were canceled. With all the fans and athletes already soaking wet, there was no reason to stop the introduction of the athletes who entered the stadium grouped by the counties in which they lived.
"We were looking to see when we would pull the plug, but there were people still coming in," said Marc Edenzon, president of New Jersey Special Olympics. "Nobody was leaving."
Fortunately, the weather was much better Saturday, the first day of competition. Softball was the only event canceled. The rest of the events, free eye and dental exams at Wellness Park and the other activities at the Olympic Village went off without a hitch.
Around 1 p.m. Saturday, the Eden Acres team was finishing lunch. They already had visited Wellness Park and were about to head to the Olympic Village. By the end of the closing ceremonies on Sunday, the Eden Acres team was heading home with various gifts and medals.
"We’re very into this," Mr. Montgomery said with a smile.
And rest assured, they’ll be back again next year.