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January 2016
Greetings Supporter, I first met Special Olympics Maryland athlete Justin Hunsinger this fall at a soccer tournament at the Severn school. His team had just won their game and he was having a fun day. I also got to meet Justin’s dad, Dan who coaches for the Montgomery County Program. In speaking with both Justin and Dan they demonstrated a pure passion for sport as they described how much they enjoyed competing. As much as they wanted to win the underlying driver for both was the sheer joy that comes from competing against other athletes in a quality environment. Dan pointed out the importance of Special Olympics sport experiences providing the same attributes of any high quality non-Special Olympics sport experience. Justin also happened to mention that he was looking forward to basketball. He shared that he loved the Maryland Terrapins men’s basketball team and that he had met Coach Turgeon. So when Justin’s mom, Kitty got word that we were organizing a basketball clinic with the University of Maryland Men’s Basketball team, she responded quickly to register Justin who was among 40 Special Olympics Maryland athletes hosted by Coach Turgeon and the Maryland Terrapins Men's Basketball team on January 14th. Remember the team had just experienced a tough loss on the road to the University of Michigan and were preparing to face Ohio State. They practiced from 5:00 – 6:15 and then they welcomed our athletes onto the floor of the Xfinity Center. Coach Turgeon greeted each athlete, including Justin, as they made their way onto the court. And then, after Coach Turgeon publicly welcomed everyone, SOMD athlete Michael Heup opened the clinic with heartfelt thank you to Coach and the team before joining his fellow athletes for a 40 minute clinic at three stations (dribbling, shooting, rebounding). The clinic was followed by unified games where two Terps players teamed up with three of our athletes to play two 10 minute halves. At the conclusion of the two hour session the Maryland players gave each athlete a basketball and “Go Terps” placard as a keepsake from the experience. The players then stayed and signed autographs and thanked our athletes for coming out. When I asked Justin about the evening, he replied, “It was awesome…a dream come true.” That summed it up for the other 39 athletes who shared similar sentiments as they left the court. And that could have been the end of the story but Coach Turgeon demonstrated his commitment to our athletes after the clinic in two very public forums. If you’re a Terps fan you know that Coach does his weekly show on Thursdays. The show starts at 7:00. On January 14th Coach was late for his show because he was still at the Xfinity Center. When he arrived he shared his thoughts about Special Olympics and the clinic with host, Johnny Holliday. Here is a link to the Special Olympic clip where Coach Turgeon talks about the basketball clinic during the Radio Show. And then on Saturday, January 16th after 35 point win over Ohio State Coach joined Johnny again for a post-game interview. When asked to what he attributed the team's comeback win after the Michigan loss on Tuesday, Coach Turgeon referred to a really good practice on Thursday followed two great hours with Special Olympics Maryland athletes during the clinic they hosted. Click here to listen to the audio of coach’s post-game comments The entire experience speaks to the transformative power of our athletes. It speaks to the respect bestowed upon our athletes by coach Turgeon, his staff and his players…it represents the best of what it means to be Champions Together. Please click here for a video summary of the evening produced by the University of Maryland athletic department
PS – And by the way, we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge on January 30th. You too can join our efforts to be Champions Together and support athletes like Justin and Michael by joining a team, forming a team or supporting a plunger. Go to PlungeMD.com to learn more about how to take part in what has become a Maryland Tradition. |
ATHLETE of the MONTH
Phillip Shepard (pictured in green)
Joined Special Olympics: 2002 Wants you to know: He loves painting and he's writing a book about his life so people will know the challenges he has faced.
Video link: click here to meet Phillip and hear his message
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Ben Takes the Plunge for the 20th Year in a Row to Support the Program He Loves
Ben thinks the Plunge is important because “It helps raise money for people with intellectual disabilities so athletes don’t have to pay to train and compete in sports. Which is one of the founding principles Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver started the organization with. Click here to support Ben as he makes the plunge again this year. Dedication: Born in and raised in Rockville, MD Ben attended Rock Terrace High School where he was first introduced to Special Olympics Maryland in 1980. He has been an athlete ever since. Competing in a variety of sports over the years including Bowling, Cross Country Skiing, Golf, Middle Distance Running, Snowshoe and Swimming. At 49 years old Ben shows little sign of slowing down though he has most recently narrowed his focus to just three sports throughout the year. Bocce, Powerlifting and Sailing. One of Ben’s highlights in his long athletic career has been attending the 2014 Special Olympics USA Gams in Princeton, NJ as a Bocce athlete. Loyalty: Ben has shown equal longevity in his employment at Special Olympics International in Washington DC. He has been an employee there for the past 24 years. His most recent position and role is that of Administrative Assistant Marketing and Communications Department. Ben takes the metro back and forth to work every day using a folding cane because he is legally blind. As he shared “I can only see shadows and shapes. But I really rely on picking up sounds and voice.” Perseverance: Ben has been a plunger for the past 19 years and in 2016 he will celebrate his 20th Plunge just as Special Olympics Maryland celebrates the 20th MSP Polar Bear Plunge. Ben started off as a Plunger taking on the role of plunging with VIP’s and dignitaries. In the past number of years he has joined the Super Plunge team along with 5 or 6 or his fellow athletes in Plunging every hour for 24 hours. Click here to make a donation to support Ben in the upcoming Plunge. Ben has also just finished his term in December 2015 on the Special Olympics Maryland Board of Directors. Not letting grass grow under his feet, Ben continues to give back by coaching and officiating Bocce in Montgomery County and at the state level. Ben would also like to take on more of an athlete leadership role through public speaking. When he is not training, competing, leading, working and plunging Ben belongs to a theatre group called ArtStream where he acts, sings and dances in productions. ArtStream’s mission is to create artistic opportunities for individuals in communities traditionally underserved by the arts. |
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Meet Bella - The Future of Special Olympics Maryland Jim: How old is Bella? Jim: When did you find out Bella had Down
syndrome? Jim: What feelings were you experiencing when you
got the news? Jim: How has Bella impacted
your lives? Jim: So tell us about Team ChickaBella Jim: So Bella is a future Special Olympics
athlete. What are you looking forward to
with Special Olympics? Jim: Is there anything else you want to share with
the group?
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Raising the Bar a Little Higher . Over 1,700 coaches state-wide volunteer their time and
expertise to train athletes throughout the state of Maryland. Special Olympics Maryland would not exist
without their tireless efforts. And each
of these coaches has their own story as to how and why they are so committed to
volunteering for Special Olympics. Linda
Jo (L J) Belsito is no exception. I sat down with L J at her new power lifting training facility in Rockville, MD called I-STEP (Iron-Strength Training, Education & Performance) which opened up this past June. A year ago, this facility was just a vision, but because of her involvement with Special Olympics, and her bond with an athlete and his mother, another dream in L J’s life has come true. L J Belsito is not new to the sport of power lifting or achieving dreams. L J grew up in a family that valued sports and doing your best. Her father was a Special Education teacher and was also one of the first men to play lacrosse back in the 40’s. His achievements led him to be inducted into the Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Both of her brothers played sports, and they were always encouraged to do their best and give 150%. L J began a career in power lifting and Olympic weight lifting that spans over 30 years. She was inducted into both the Powerlifting Hall of Fame and the Masters Weight Lifting Hall of Fame. She was also the 2013 Women’s Masters Grand Slam Champion and 2015 Women’s Masters National & World Cup Champion. L J began her journey with Special Olympics Maryland in 2010. The Montgomery County program was in need of an assistant coach for the power lifting program, so she decided to help out and has never looked back. She quickly found out how the athletes are focused on achieving goals, and will work hard in order to make their goals a reality. Currently 18 athletes are actively involved in Montgomery County. When I asked L J if there were any pivotal moments while coaching for Special Olympics, she said there were many, but she also wanted to share more about an athlete named Thomas Morere. When Thomas came to her at the age of 16, he was faced with many challenges. In addition to an intellectual disability, Thomas is also deaf and struggles with balance. So L J embraced this opportunity, and with the help of Thomas’ mom Donna, has learned some basic sign language and worked with Thomas to overcome and adapt to these challenges. On October 24th, at the age of 23, Thomas pulled 375 lbs in the deadlift competition and won a gold medal in his weight class. But L J knew he could do better. So on December 17th Coach Belsito provided Thomas the opportunity to achieve a personal record in the deadlift. His previous personal best in competition was 390 at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Summer Games. Thomas delivered and made L J, his parents and small gathering of supporters proud as he pulled 402 (easy according to L J), then went to 410 and hit 418 lbs on his third and final lift of the night. Click here to see a video of his lift. L J also reflected on a moment at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Summer Games. While she was getting her athletes warmed up for competition, Tiger Patrick, the power lifting coach from Special Olympics Massachusetts, approached her and said “You’re the real deal”. When she asked him what he meant, he explained he could tell that she knew what she was doing and was sticking to the plan. She explained that’s exactly what the athletes have told me they want me to do. They know what they need to do to reach their goals, I just provide them with the training and guidance they need to get there. “If I can make a difference in just one person’s life, than I have accomplished what I set out to do. I live by the quote “Life is a journey, not a destination.” Never let anyone tell you “you can’t”. Train smart. Set realistic goals. And don’t ever stop reaching for the stars.” Thanks L J for setting the bar high, and leading by example for all of us. (This article contributed by Sue Jacobs, VP of Donor Relations) For more information on coaching opportunities in your community, please email Special Olympics Maryland at coaches@somd.org or visit our website at www.somd.org |
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MYTH: There is no cure for cabin fever caused by blizzards like we just experienced. FACT: There is a great cure for cabin fever – it’s called the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge – so join a team or recruit your friends to create a team and come out to Sandy Point State Park on Saturday , January 30th to Plunge. The second best cure is to support a Plunger. Either way it will warm your soul and cure your cabin fever. The water and weather will be great…hope to see you there! |
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It's not too late to register for the Plunge or support someone you know (or just the event on its own)
We're celebrating our 20th Anniversary of this Maryland tradition. You can support athletes like Ben Collins and teams like Team ChickaBella, or you can register to plunge and/or join a team on your own. It's up to you and it's only a click away! |
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The 2016 Polar Bear Plunge is just days away. Special thanks to all our sponsors! |
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Terps and Special Olympics Maryland Team Up on January 14th COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland men’s basketball program teamed up with Special Olympics of Maryland for a day of hoops and camaraderie Thursday at the XFINITY Center. A total of 42 athletes visited College Park to watch the Terps practice before being officially introduced to the players and coaching staff. “Most importantly, together the University of Maryland is an exceptional team and all of us here tonight along with the 7,169 athletes from all over Maryland see you as role models,” said Michael Heup, a Special Olympic athlete whose father is a Maryland alum. “We are all athletes striving to achieve greatness. We appreciate the team taking the time to spend with us today. The Special Olympics goal is to inspire in greatness in athletes. Watching your team is an inspiration to us to work towards that goal.” The fun continued when the players hosted a coaching clinic prior to a game featuring the Special Olympic athletes and the third-ranked Terrapins. “I think both sides get a lot of it. It was a great day and we’ve got a lot of fantastic athletes out here,” head coach Mark Turgeon, whose work with the Special Olympics began as a student-athlete at Kansas, said. “It’s great to know that the Special Olympic athletes look up to our guys and know who they are and follow them. It also allows our athletes to understand how lucky they are and how blessed they are. These Special Olympic athletes really enjoy life and they made it fun out there today.” “It was such a rewarding experience to work with these athletes, playing the game that we all love,” senior guard Rasheed Sulaimon said. “The smiles were contagious. We had a blast out there today.” Click here to see the video produced by the University of Maryland athletic department.
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Bravelets will donate $10 back to Special Olympics Maryland for every item purchased. Click here for more information. |
Athletes Served 
7,169 5,291 TRAINING & COMPETITION 1,878 TRAINING
2013-2014 CHANGE (+ 2.8%) (+ 196 athletes) |
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Spending Wisely in Maryland 
86% of every dollar raised is spent on sports training and competition, and athlete retention and recruitment. Click here to see a copy of our current financials |
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