Photo By Ismael Ortega | Competitors are awarded medals and ribbons after placing in the javelin competition...... read more read more
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After weeks of hard work and dedication, five competitors representing the Fort Bliss Exceptional Family Member Program competed in the 2016 Special Olympics Texas-Spring Games at Burges High School in El Paso Saturday.
“Team Bliss” members included Jonathan Sisco, Andres Hernandez, Yaro Prado, Mateo Martinez and Nathan James, all of whom took part in track and field events and brought home 12 medals at the end of the day – half of them gold.
This was the fourth year a team from the Fort Bliss EFMP has competed in the spring Special Olympic games. The team had 10 weeks to prepare, conditioning their bodies by running, swimming or working with their coaches every Saturday morning at Stout Track here.
“They made a lot of progress, mostly due to themselves just coming out and working hard,” said Sgt. Eric Fletcher, volunteer coach, 4th Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.
Competitors ranged from children to adults of all ages who came from local school districts and special needs programs to take part in the day’s events.
Athletes had the option to participate in 50-meter to 400-meter runs, walks, or power and non-power wheelchair races as well as shot put, javelin throws and sitting and running long jumps. Many competed in multiple events.
The mission of Special Olympics Texas is to provide year-round training and competitions to those with intellectual disabilities. The organization provides an opportunity for participants to develop their overall fitness, demonstrate their courage and enjoy themselves by taking part in a sports and training program with their families and other athletes in the local community.
An estimated 32 percent of families have a member with an intellectual disability, according to the Special Olympics, and the organization provides resources, opportunities and support in 19 Texas offices alone.
Special Olympics Texas helps more than 50,000 family members, 120,000 students and 55,000 athletes, and the organization offers inclusive sports programs for everyone.
“This is important for a special needs family because if they feel like they can’t or don’t want to compete in conventional athletics, this is a place where everybody is accepted,” said Beth Ellis, Fort Bliss EFMP manager.
After losing all but one member due to families changing duty station, Team Bliss used this time to rebuild with four new members and a new coach. For their first time competing with Team Bliss, Prado won three medals and Martinez, Sisco and James won two each.
Having taken part in numerous competitions, not just Special Olympics, for the last 15 years, this will be the fourth year Hernandez has competed with Team Bliss. He took home three awards Saturday.
“As we started to see them progress in their training, and they started to understand that we’re working towards this point. Today and yesterday, with the opening ceremony, have just been a culmination,” Ellis said. “… You could see that they’re super excited to compete. We feel so lucky that we’re able to continue with the team. We are going to do it again every year as long as we have athletes and volunteers.”
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.17.2016 17:39 |
| Story ID: | 198401 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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