Special Olympics 2001

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Challenge Day 2001 was held at the IUPUI Natatorium on October 20, 2001. Our daughter Claire was a participant with the Special Olympics Hamilton County team, headed by Heather Stephenson, and we were lucky enough to be volunteers. It was a great day for us and for all of the athletes, who clearly enjoyed it tremendously. Click on the photos below to see a larger version.

Tom gets a hug from CeCe before the events.	Alicia before the events.
Chris looks through the glass wall down at the large pool in the Natatorium, which is where he really wants to be.	Corey and his one-on-one partner Tom before the events.
Danielle before the events.	The Hamilton County group before the events.
The start of the procession. I wish I had written down the names of each group.	This group consisted of older adults, and they absolutely stole my heart.
The Hamilton County group, including (left to right) Corey, Chris, Jeremy, Alicia and Danielle, accompanied by their one-on-one partners.	The Hamilton County group: Corey and Chris.
The Hamilton County group: Claire with Brooke and Ashley with her mom.	The Washington Township group, of course.
Another group whose name I did not get. They had just come from swimming or were heading to swimming afterward.	Another group of older adults I really enjoyed.
The groups begin to take their places.	Terri Kriston introduces the Wheelchair Basketball demonstration.
The athletes gather around the official as they listen to the rules.	Tom and Corey have the ball (it's bright green). When the official blows the whistle, the offense will head to the other end of the court.
The official puts the ball in the ball launcher, then Corey presses a switch to activate the ball launcher in order to throw the ball. If it touches another athlete, their chair or their aide, it is considered a pass or a steal, depending on whether it reaches a teammate or an opposing team member.	Later in the game, Tom and Corey have the ball again and race down the court.
The other team has possession of the ball and the teams race down to the other end.	Corey gets ready to shoot the ball. He is close enough to the basket that he doesn't use the launcher. Instead, he is assisted with putting the ball in the basket. Basketball is so cool!
The opposing team throws the ball in. In this case, the athlete was able to throw the ball without using the launcher. She really enjoyed the game too!	It was a good game, and teams line up to shake hands afterward. Everyone enjoyed watching or participating.
One of the activities was kicking a ball into a goal. After completing each activity, a colored star was placed on the athlete's badge (see badge above). Each aide provided as much or as little assistance as needed to successfully complete each activity. The day's emphasis was on accomplishment rather than competition.	I was working at a different station, so I didn't get to see what activity this was.
Whatever it was, here is Alicia performing the activity.	Nicole helps Claire kick the ball into the goal.
Claire dunks the basketball. She's a natural.	Alicia and her partner, Jeremy and his partner and Corey.
Jeremy waits his turn for an activity.	After the activities, each athlete completing all six activities received a medal. The athletes were thrilled and proud.
Alicia receives her medal, while her classmates wait with their partners.	Claire beamed with excitement as she received her medal, then immediately pulled it off and threw it on the ground.
Danielle receives her medal.	Jeremy receives his medal.
It's been a fun day, and the Hamilton County athletes pose with their medals.	Alicia after the events.
Alicia and her partner.	Chris and Claire after the events.
Corey and his partner Tom after the events.	Danielle after the events.
Ashley and her mom after the events.	Claire and her mom after the events.