SHARE-Pathfinders headed to summer Special Olympics

After having had a bowling team for years, the SHARE-Pathfinders group for adults with disabilities is forming a Special Olympics team in Butts County. The group of nine will represent the community at the Special Olympics sporting bright purple team T-shirts.

The team will have its first Special Olympics competition Aug. 18-22 in Warner Robins, a master's bowling competition, missing one member. Sarah Maddox will compete with a team from Newton County. She is one of more than 1,200 athletes from all over the state that Special Olympics of Georgia members expect at the games, according to the organization's website.

"Next year I'm going with the Pathfinders," Maddox said. She said she has taken part in many activities, including equestrian sports, offered by the Special Olympics.

In addition to Maddox, team members are Tiffany Rouse, Leena and Chrissie Marquez, Tiffane Cassidy, Stephanie Held, Blake Harris, Ken Cottingham and Brandon Cox. More people are welcome to join, said team co-coordinator Vicky Cochran.

"We want our young adults to have something to do," Sarah's mother and team co-coordinator Brenda Maddox said. "We'd love for families to join us who aren't already involved in SHARE."

SHARE stands for Support, Help, Advocacy, Resources and Education. SHARE organizes and secures funding for recreation and leisure activities for youth and young adults with disabilities, such as the Sweetheart Dance, a Halloween party and bonfire, and the bowling team.

"The reason we, as a team, are forming is because they (team members) are too old for the school system," Cochran said. She noted some team members aged out of the educational program at 22. Current members range in age from 23 to 50 but there is no upper age limit.

Last year, the oldest Special Olympian in Georgia was 65, Brenda Maddox said.

Cochran said the teacher who volunteered with the group moved to another county but plans to help coach the team for the summer games. The teacher gave Butts County a total of three Special Olympics-certified coaches. Cochran and Brenda Maddox hope for more.

"Brenda and I have been going to the coaches' training," Cochran said. "We've learned several different things to do with our group."

As the team progresses through the Special Olympics fall, winter and summer games, they can also play bocce and softball, take part in aquatic sports, compete in track and field events, perform gymnastics, play hockey and lift weights. In all, there are 37 separate sports athletes can choose from, including a boat regatta and alpine skiing, Brenda Maddox said.

"We've talked about things they want to try. There are other things we want to do with the team to help them stay healthy and get out into the community," Cochran said. "It all started when Gloria Chamlee doing the activities with them. We've been bowling since 2009."

In 2000, SHARE was organized by parents and continues to be parent-led, providing support to the local community regarding disabilities.

"It is SHARE's belief that everyone has something to contribute to society with proper support," Cochran said. "Not one of us is self-sufficient. We all need help in some way."

Members hope the team will grow as more special-needs adults and their family and friends join as athletes or volunteers. In general, the team is seeking athletes who are at least age 22, but there is no other age limit. SHARE-Pathfinders has three coaches certified by the Atlanta Special Olympics organization.

While Special Olympics does not charge athletes to take part in games, each community or team coordinator has to raise money for meals, registration, transportation and even their own bocce balls.

All the needed equipment should be purchased by next summer, Cochran said, when she and Brenda Maddox will have completed certification for the summer games that will be held at Emory University in Atlanta the weekend after Memorial Day. Winter games are held in Marietta in mid-January and fall games usually happen in October.

"We are looking for financial donations and sponsors for our athletes to participate in the masters bowling in August and other state games hosted by Special Olympics," Cochran said. "We've already had someone sponsor the 2017 bowling T-shirts and banner. When we get to the Special Olympics they'll know where we're from."

No matter the season, Special Olympics games have an opening ceremony in which teams take part in a parade in which they carry their banner. There are also evening activities such as dances and bingo games at the Olympic City formed at every event.

"I love the bingo," Tiffany Rouse said.

The Special Olympics arranges for foot and eye exams for athletes and always has doctors and nurses on call, Brenda Maddox said.

There is plenty of time to socialize, too.

"It's a fun time," Cochran said. "You end up meeting people from everywhere and you're going to see those people again."

For more information, contact Cochran at vsouthernsweetie@bellsouth.net or 404-423-6710 or Maddox at maddox.brenda@gmail.com.