Brad Ross has accomplished great things in his life even though his parents, Jill and Chris, recognized that something was "not quite right" when he was very young.

Jill and Chris Ross live with their son Brad and daughter Courtney in Timmonium, Maryland. Brad¹s parents knew something was ³not quite right² at the age of eighteen months and enrolled Brad in a program with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP). Brad remained with UCP until the age of five when he entered the Delray preschool and was one of the first students with a disability to enter Padonia Elementary School at the age of nine. Brad is a senior at Delaney High School and is currently developing his job skills at Mars grocery store and Blockbuster. Upon graduation, he will attend Towson University in their Life Skills Program

Mr. and Mrs. Ross were always aware of Special Olympics; Brad began training and competing at the age of eight. Over the years, Brad has competed in basketball, soccer and track and field events including shot put, softball, standing long jump and 100 meter dash. Brad¹s sister, Courtney, has always been a big supporter of Brad and has brought many of her friends to cheer him and the other athletes. Although Courtney will be graduating from Roanoke College this year, she still attends as many Special Olympics events as possible.

One of the Ross¹s favorite stories about Brad¹s experience with Special Olympics was a 100-meter race several years ago at Towson University. Brad¹s opponent fell at the start, but Brad stopped and waited until the other athlete got up before they both began to run. They were proud of Brad's sportsmanship and his concern for a fellow athlete.

Some of Brad¹s friends are the coaches with whom he has worked while training and competing in Special Olympics. Most of these coaches have been students at Villa Julie College. Special Olympics has given Brad the opportunity to train and compete with his peers as well as meet new people.

In addition, Special Olympics provided his parents additional opportunities to be involved with Brad and his friends.

Brad¹s experiences with his peers increased when he became a member of Troop 497 in Texas, Maryland, at the age of 12. Troop 497 is extremely active and offers a monthly camping trip and an annual weeklong Summer Camp. Brad attended his first 2-week summer camp in Wyoming without his father, who could not make the trip due to business. The troop welcomed Brad and assigned a different scout to ³big brother² Brad each day. Josh Kakel, an older scout, was instrumental in Brad having a successful camp experience.

Josh and the other patrol leaders laid down the law to all the other troops from all over the country that Brad had 80 ³big brothers.² One of Brad¹s hobbies has always been memorizing Trivial Pursuit cards. Troop 497 turned this into a strategic opportunity during competition with other troops that were at Camp Cody. Brad shocked the competition and was the key in a major victory for the troop. This trip gave Brad and other troop members increased confidence that he could stand up to the rigors of a long trip and other challenges.

Scouting has allowed Brad to share in activities with other scouts, which have resulted in developing leadership skills and learning responsibility.

Brad obtained the rank of Life Scout and is working on his final badges and his project for becoming Eagle Scout. He has been allowed to remain in the troop past the age of 18 (when most scouts finish) and is expected to complete the requirements for Eagle Scout next year. He hopes to remain in the troop and assist other young scouts on their road to Eagle Scout.

Both Special Olympics and Boy Scouts have been instrumental in Brad¹s life.

They have afforded Brad the chance to grow physically, morally and socially.

Brad and his family are very fortunate to have both of these groups assisting Brad in his incredible accomplishments and development into a remarkable young man.