Elburn man solid gold in Special Olympics in China

Twenty-one-year old Dustin Dickens of Elburn has won scores of medals through his participation in Special Olympics in Illinois.

But the four he won earlier this month are particularly special. They came with stuffed, 12-inch Panda bears that represent China, the nation that provided the world stage upon which he competed.

Dickens, a powerlifter, won a gold medal in bench press and a bronze medal each in squat, deadlift and combination at the Special Olympics Summer World Games in Shanghai, China.

"It was good," Dickens said. "I met good people and I got a gold medal."

"It was wonderful, amazing, something we will never forget," said Dickens' mother, Patti. "It was a great experience for all of us."

Dickens' parents, sisters, brother and other family members traveled separately to China to cheer him on. Dickens traveled with the Illinois delegation, a total of 11 athletes.

Patti said she was especially impressed with the opening ceremonies, performed before an audience of 80,000.

"It's interesting how the Chinese are able to entertain with fabric, lights and drums and dancing," she said. "They 'built' the Great Wall using people, a human pyramid, and sticks. Then two of the athletes climbed it and stood on the top. And the fireworks were amazing."

Dickens has Down syndrome and lives with his parents. He had been away from home before, but never longer than five days at a time. His participation in the summer world games took him away from his family for over two weeks. He left Sept. 25 and returned Oct. 12, and was able to see his family only twice in Shanghai.

"We were able to visit him at his hotel but we couldn't go in his room," Patti said. "There was a lot of security. When I realized this, it quickly calmed my fears.

"Dustin seemed to be fine without us," Patti added. "He didn't seem homesick."

Dickens trained at the Fox Valley Special Recreation Center in Aurora. He was one of only two powerlifters from Illinois who competed. The athletes from Illinois joined a U.S. team of 400 to compete in 24 sports against more than 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 165 countries. It was the first time the games were held in Asia.

"I'm so grateful for the opportunity he had to travel and make new friends," Patti said.