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'These kids are awesome'

They have the desire. And they play the games, make the moves and give their all in a way that's truly special.

By MICHELE MILLER
Published September 13, 2006

	[Times photo: Janel Schroeder-Norton]
	Aidan Duffy, left, and Samantha Gedyman play in the foam pit after competing in gymnastics during the Special Olympics at the Suncoast Gymnastics Academy in Port Richey on Sept. 6. "The foam feels good to them, and they like to eat it, too," said Longleaf Elementary autism teacher Michelle Signorelli, 25.

Shannon Williams should get bonus points for cuteness.

That's according to her coach, Janice Bacon, who just can't resist that ever-present smile.

Or the hugs.

Or the enthusiastic "Ta da!" that comes after the 9-year-old finishes her balance beam routine, her floor exercise program or her vault, which is capped with a couple of Tigger-like leaps on a thick blue mat.

Shannon, who has Down's syndrome, is a student at Cotee River Elementary School. She's also one of 675 athletes to compete in the Pasco County Fall Classic Special Olympic Games, which were held throughout the county over a two-week period. Events included gymnastics, softball and bowling and ended Tuesday with the power-lifting competition, said Judy Brunner, who coordinated the games that were held at various sites throughout the county.

The gymnastics program, which is being reintroduced in Pasco after a three-year hiatus, provides the perfect opportunity for athletes like Shannon and classmate Taylor Gilroy, 9, to hone their balance and motor skills, shine a little and, perhaps, try something new.

"This is the first time she's done gymnastics," said Taylor's mom, Lorraine Shields, who watched the competition at Suncoast Gymnastics Academy in Port Richey with her 19-year-old daughter, Samantha Bacon. "She's done soccer before, but she wanted to do something girlie. She's a tomboy, but now she's into the feminine things."

Taylor, said her mom, "wasn't supposed to walk, wasn't supposed to talk" after a traumatic brain injury caused by encephalitis when she was 5 weeks old.

"Just to see her on the mat doing this makes me want to cry," said Shields, adding that her daughter suffers from a seizure disorder. "It's so amazing. All these kids are awesome."

Yes, they are.

Take Flash Valentine, 16, who on Friday morning was hitting a solid line drive for the Hudson High Cobra softball team. That base hit helped Hudson take a 9-0 win over Wesley Chapel.

"He's been looking forward to this game for three weeks," said Flash's older brother, Dustin Valentine, 22.

Flash also enjoys playing football, said his dad, Kim Valentine, 45. "He loves the Bucs."

Flash was born three months premature, with his stomach outside his body, his father explained. "He had a battle."

Now, look at him.

Some 16 years later, Flash and his team have regional games to look forward to, and perhaps state competition.

"They all look good out there," said Valentine, who took the day off from work so he could cheer on his son and all the other athletes. "It doesn't matter if they're on the other team or not.

"I never miss a game," he added. "I never miss a one."

[Last modified September 13, 2006, 01:10:26]