News

Wing volunteers serve Special Olympics

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nick Przybyciel
  • 446th Airlift Wing
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Christopher Collins was stoked.
It was still a few weeks before the Special Olympics came to McChord AFB and Fort Lewis, but the 14-year-old athlete was already sporting a lot of impressive hardware: two gold medals and a silver draped around his neck.
Collins was showing off the medals he won in the qualifying rounds to his father’s co-workers at the 728th Airlift Squadron, and it was clear he couldn’t wait for his next competition – Washington State’s regional Special Olympics.
But unlike most traditional athletes, 14-year-old Collins was not just looking forward to the competition. For him and most of the Special Olympians, the games are more than just sport. They’re a way to prove that disabilities don’t come with limitations. They’re a way to change people’s misperceptions. They’re a way to inspire people. And more than anything, they’re a way to have fun.
What excites Collins more than anything are the festivities that surround the games. Last year, when he participated in the Special Olympics for the first time, his favorite part was the victory dance.
“After I picked Chris up from the dance, he was a completely different kid,” his father, Master Sgt Mike Ayers said. “He’s always been shy, but we really watched him come out of his shell after the dance.”
And thanks to Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing, Collins and his fellow athletes were not disappointed this year. Twenty-seven volunteers from across the wing donated their time to ensure the competitors had a blast during this year’s Special Olympics, held June 3-4.
Master Sgt. Mark Cherrix, 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, headed up the volunteer effort for the 446th AW. “This year was great,” he said. “Every year we’re up against something -- this year it was the ORI (Operational Readiness Inspection). We were kind of worried, but it all worked out.”
Even with the ORI following on the heels of this year’s games, Sergeant Cherrix’s squadron was able to recruit 22 volunteers to help with the victory dance and victory happening; parties where athletes and their families celebrate after the athletic events.
This year, Sergeant Cherrix estimated that nearly 4,000 athletes and family members attended the dance, which is twice the amount of attendees from previous years. For Sergeant Cherrix, who has been volunteering at the Special Olympics for nine years, the dance and happening are his favorite parts of the games.
“For some of the athletes, the dance is like their prom. I’ve seen people who have met there who went on and got married,” he said.
Sergeant Cherrix’s favorite story relates to the lessons that the athletes are capable of teaching to people.
“There was this mother who had a child with a disability, and all she used to think was, ‘Why me?’” Sergeant Cherrix said. “Once her child got involved in the Special Olympics, she found that her child actually taught her how to handle it.
“You think you have a burden and you wonder why. Then, all of a sudden, it turns into a blessing in disguise.”
Similarly, Collins’ parents found comfort in the Special Olympics community.
“It’s always been a bit difficult … there’s a lot of extra work and attention that you have to give to a child with a learning disability,” Sergeant Ayers said. “But when you’re around a bunch of parents who have had similar experiences, you find that you can relate to their lives. It provides a great deal of support.”
He credits that support with helping his son to grow as an individual. “Chris always used to be so shy. He’d never look in the eye when you spoke. But now look at him,” Sergeant Ayers said, pointing to his son who was grinning from ear-to-ear, showing off his medals.
And while it’s clear the emotional rewards of the Special Olympics outweigh the actual competitive ones, Collins may have another take on that. This year, he walked away from the games with an impressive array of medals. He won the gold in both the 200 meter dash and running long jump, and finished a strong third in the 100 meter dash.