Coach's corner: Special Olympians fight through pandemic challenges

"Well, at least we got bocce ball in."

Those were the unfailingly optimistic words from Glenbrook United's Special Olympics coach Kim Petty. A reference to the fact that they were able to get in one activity so far this school year. I guess that's something. I mean, we all love a little bocce ball, right? But what about swimming, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball and all the other sport competitions that Special Olympians normally compete in?

Not now, of course. On the pandemic back burner.

Katie James of the North Suburban Special Recreation Association and the head coach of their Gators Special Olympics teams puts it another way when talking about the loss of activity and competition for their athletes. "They miss the social part of sports, the camaraderie, the gathering together with their friends. But they have learned to adapt, and they do love seeing their friends on Zoom. Their eyes just light up!"

Such is the current state of affairs for our Northbrook and Glenview Special Olympic athletes who have been put on hold just like the rest of us. No basketball games, no volleyball, gymnastics, figure skating, swimming, golf or any of the sports they normally would have been participating in the first half of the school year. All shut down for the foreseeable future.

Here is the good news, though. Both agencies have stepped up in the face of these tough times to offer a wide variety of positive options. But first, a quick reset on the Special Olympic athletes' opportunities here in Glenview and Northbrook.

We are blessed with two primary organizations that are involved. One is a combined Glenbrook North/Glenbrook South program called Glenbrook United. Any high school-aged athletes that want to participate have the opportunity. Glenbrook South teacher and football coach Pa'al Joshi started and grew the program a number of years ago, coaching them to numerous regional and state tournament championships and medals.

Glenbrook United is well established now in the Illinois Special Olympics world, and their teams rank among Illinois' finest. Glenbrook North family and consumer science teacher Kim Petty has taken the baton now from Joshi (she assisted for many years), and currently coaches the teams.

Additionally, as an offshoot of the Glenbrook United team, there is a program for athletes beyond high school age called The Wolves. Joshi still is involved in coaching that group.

Then there is NSSRA (North Suburban Special Recreation Association). They run a wide variety of recreational programs for special-needs kids and adults, and this includes their Special Olympic teams named the Gators. The Gators are longtime staples in Illinois Special Olympic competitions and include athletes from a variety of nearby communities, including Glenview and Northbrook.

So how are our Special Olympians handling the shutdown of practices and games?

"It's been tough," said James. "In the beginning many of them did not quite understand. We had to teach them about socialization keys, wearing masks and keeping distance. Also, many of our athletes are immunity compromised so they have to be extra careful."

But NSSRA and coach James have stepped up big-time. They have adjusted and are now finding new and creative ways to reach their athletes.

"First, we had to teach them how to use Zoom, but once they learned and got used to it, we have been able to reach a number of the athletes. We try to get them to tune in and do some form of exercise for 30 minutes. We do stretching, yoga, dance, music and other activities. For the basketball athletes, we can take them through some dribbling drills, which they really enjoy," adds James.

NSSRA also started the "Weekly Challenge," which encourages athletes to do pushups, stomach crunches and squats and even conducted a special "virtual challenge day," which included a scavenger hunt, cup stacking, sock hunt and a trivia quiz.

The Gators coach and the staff at NSSRA have even gone one step further. "For those that want, we will do some one-on-one meetings through Zoom. This gives us a chance to communicate directly with our athletes and keep up the relationships we have built, which is important."

Petty's Glenbrook United program has also stepped up in the face of adversity, keeping the athletes as connected as they possibly can considering the current shutdown.

"We will try and check in with the athletes periodically through email or Zoom and encourage them to stay active. I give them a message like, 'It's a beautiful day out there, so get out and get some exercise," says Petty.

"What's really cool," adds Petty, "is that they have all figured out how to communicate with each other, through chat rooms, Facebook, Zoom, etc. It allows them to get together and see each other, and they really enjoy that social connection."

Hopefully soon our Special Olympic athletes will be able to get back into action. Even if the state tournaments in the various sports get canceled, maybe at least teams could practice and play competitive games. Let's hope.

In the meantime, it is assuring indeed, to know they are in the good hands of a couple of wonderful organizations and some dedicated coaches.

In this holiday season, let us count our dedicated staff and athletes involved in Special Olympics as yet another thing we can all be thankful for.

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan.