oh...My...GOD! I'm going to the Olympics!

[Jennasis]

I am still reeling from this news. I coach the Special Olympic Equestrian Team for my county here in NC (equestrian...that's horse-back riding FYI). My team just returned Sunday night from the State championships armed with the knowledge that the US Special Olympic Team would be selecting 2 athletes (one male and one female) from the NC gold medalists to represent the US in Shanghai, China at the World games in 2007. Yesterday I found out that the female slot would be awarded to an athlete from our area...today it turns out that the slot was awarded to MY STUDENT!!! I am floored! She is so awesome and is a terrific girl. I was weeping like a baby when I got the phone call. The young lady is 17 and was born with severe auditory problems which renders her legally deaf, and she is developmentally delayed (she functions around a 4th grade level). It couldn't have happened to a nicer girl.

Now here is the kicker...they want me to go to China and coach the team! Well just knock me over with a feather!!! The team will consist of my athlete, another young man from the western part of NC and two other athletes from elsewhere in the country. We will be in Shanghai for 3 weeks next October from opening ceremonies to closing ceremonies along with the athletes from all the other events (aquatics, track and field etc...). DH and I really have to sit down and figure out if I can be away that long (I am pretty much the one who runs our horse farm on a day to day basis). It's an amazing opportunity and I am so honored to be considered (PLUS I've never travelled abroad). The athletes parents are not allowed to travel with the US delegation (they can go an watch, but are not permitted to have access to the athletes) so having me there as the coahc will definitely help my student out. Actually a huge part of the decision to send her is that she is truly an independant spirit who doesn't need the assistance of her parents.

So OH MY GOD you guys! This may be the most exciting thing ever! I'll slap this right in the scrap book next to the time I was nominated for an Emmy...but it is way more fulfilling. I really hope I can go, but if for some reason I can't, I asm SO UNBELIEVABLY proud of my athlete for making the team!

 

[briannesmom]

Congrats!!

 

[Alice's Mom]

Thats awesome, congratulations to you and your athlete!!

 

[mantysk8coach]

Congratulations! That is so awesome for both you and your student! Best of luck!

 

[southernbella]

Congratulations to you & your student!

I hope you do get to go. What an amazing trip that will be for both of you. If you go, you better post some pics. BTW, you were nominated for an emmy? DO tell....


Sbella

 

[Jennasis]

heheh...I used to work in news (News 12 LI for those of you on Long Island). I was nominated for an Emmy for a news piece that I produced, shot and edited about the "Subway Series" between the Mets and Yankees. I didn't win but it was nice to be nominated.

 

[southernbella]

heheh...I used to work in news (News 12 LI for those of you on Long Island). I was nominated for an Emmy for a news piece that I produced, shot and edited about the "Subway Series" between the Mets and Yankees. I didn't win but it was nice to be nominated.

That is too cool!

 

[SplshMtn99]

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

That is so exciting. Congrats!!!

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

This deserves fireworks!

Congrats.

 

[BrerLizzie]

That's too cool!!
What event did she make it in?
Does the horse go on an airplane or a ship? I've always wondered how that works out.

 

[mamajoan]

AWESOME!!

 

[escape]

Congratulations! This is such a great organization. You must be very proud!!!

 

[slimplaw]

Fantastic! Congratulations to all of you.

 

[LJC1861]

The International Special Olympic Games are a totally amazing experience.

I was lucky enough to coach a figure skating pair team back in the late 80's and they were chosen to attend the International Games that were held in Lake Tahoe in '89. It is so amazing to meet and get to know the athletes from all over the world. The level of competition is truly inspiring.

This will be an even more amazing trip for you as you are going to CHINA!!

Now, for some fun.....have pins made to trade. If your local or State special Olympics organization does not already have some, seriously look into having some made. The pin trading experience is totally awesome and everyone really gets into it. I have pins from Monaco, Tiwan, Japan and several other countries that are just priceless. It is so cool to watch athletes that are a bit shy at first become pin trading wizards by the end of the games.

Another fun thing to look forward to is the goodie bag. You will get several uniforms...for opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies, team warm up suits and lots of other stuff. I came home with a HUGE duffel full of stuff.

All I can say is that I am EXTREMELY envious that you get to go. I am sure that this will be a life changing experience for both you and the team. Take lots of pictures and savor every moment.

Linda

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Congratulations! What a wonderful opportunity for both you and your student. And if I lived closer I would help you out with the horsies. Any other NC dis'ers know anything about horse care??

 

[Pooh67_68]

Congrats to your student and to you.

 

[goofy4tink]

Wow!!! Congratulations to you and your athelete...what a great thing to happen. And thanks for being the kind of person that works with these atheletes...I know what an impact it has on them to strive, and then achieve. A great achievement for you both. Be sure to post photos for us!!!

 

[Pop Daddy]

hey

 

[Jennasis]

I posted last night, so this morning I am able to finally breathe and take it all in. There are a few issues I realize we'll need to contend with.

1. The horses neither travel by ship or air. In fact they do not travel at all. The host country will supply horses for all the athletes to use (once on site, each athlete draws a horse by lottery and is assigned that one for the duration of the games). This is not necessarily a problem as my athlete (and the other from NC) have 14 months in which to practice riding on the 18 or so horses I keep so that she/he can adapt their riding to any kind of horse. This is a huge bonus for us.

2. Being away for 3 weeks leaves the farm unattended from 7:30-5:30 (when DH is at work). I have 18 horses that need to be fed twice a day, brought in/out of their pastures morning and evening, and stalls cleaned/water buckets and troughs cleaned and filled. We'd have to either hire someone to help for those 3 weeks or possibly recruit some of our students and boarders to help out (which is quite likely that they would be willing to do). But 3 weeks is still a LONG time for me to leave my business in the hands of others.

3. Being away for 3 weeks means that I will have to cancel my lesson/training schedule for that time. This means that I will be losing out on around $1800 in income for that time period. This is BIG barrier.

I'm going to bring these issues up to the head of our area when i see her this morning and see what she thinks. I am still so honored to be chosen and WANT to go badly, but I have to be responsible for the goings on at home too.