Special needs get devoted day in Temecula

Emily Phippen, a senior at Chaparral High School, does the cha-cha with Swan Jones and her mother Susan at Temecula Special Games. (Photo by Maggie Avants)

Temecula resident and 25-year-old Swan Jones was all smiles in her powered wheelchair Saturday at the city of Temecula’s second annual Temecula Special Games.

Jones has cerebral palsy and is paralyzed on her right side, said her mother Susan Jones.

“She was a pound and six ounces when she was born and they said she wouldn’t live, so she’s a miracle baby,” Susan said.

Jones was one of 108 athletes taking part in the day of fun, held at Chaparral High School in Temecula. She made her way around the field, trying everything from basketball to a 50-yard dash.

Her “buddy,” Emily Phippen, 17 and a senior at Chaparral High School, said she volunteered to help with the event because she has two younger siblings with special needs.

“My brother has William’s syndrome and my sister has Downs syndrome,” Emily said. “They teach me a great lesson because they are so innocent. We need to be less judgmental and more accepting of people.”

Jones was having a hard time getting adjusted to the games, but after she did the 50-yard dash, her excitement returned and the buddies headed over to the stage area to dance the cha-cha.

Upon entering the games, athletes were greeted on the fields by cheering volunteers. During the opening ceremonies, Carol Leighty, superintendent of the Temecula Valley Unified School District, shared that she has a grandson with special needs.

Temecula Valley Unified School District Superintendent Carol Leighty speaks during the opening ceremonies of the Temecula Special Games. Leighty said her grandson is special needs. (Photo by Maggie Avants)

With her grandson in hand, Leighty said, “For our special kids, it is wonderful to give them a day like this.”

Temecula city councilman Michael S. Naggar said he is a father of a special needs child.

“All the volunteers…everyone here today, is special to my heart,” Naggar said.

Athletes had the option of sampling 39 game stations, including basketball, bowling, baseball, bean-bag toss, soccer and football.

City of Temecula Senior Recreation Coordinator Dawn Adamiak organized the event, and said having a day to honor the special needs community was really important.

“It’s obvious how much they appreciate it when you see their faces out here,” Adamiak said.

She said participants of all ages and with any type of developmental disability were welcomed, and that the athletes Saturday ranged from those with Down’s syndrome to autism.

Chaparral sophomore Ashley Simon, 15, was fully engaged in enjoying the day with her buddy, Angelique Johansen, also 15.

Angelique was the first female athlete of the day to kick a field goal and make it. The pair was waiting in line to play baseball.

“She is amazing. I have the best buddy here,” Ashley said. “She also likes the same music I do.”

Dustin Schlichter, 27, high-fives his buddy Thomas Nilsen, 17, during the Temecula Special Games. (Photo by Maggie Avants)

The two danced while sounds of Miley Cyrus and Pink came over the loudspeaker, which was being manned by City of Temecula Senior Recreation Leader Geoffrey Gaier.

Gaier, who said he runs an entertainment business on the side, made sure the tunes kept coming.

Thomas Nilsen, 17 and a junior at Chaparral High School, said it was the second year he volunteered at the event. His buddy was 27-year-old Dustin Schlichter, who has Down’s syndrome.

“He was just kind of standing there, so I went up to him, and now we’re buddies,” Thomas said. “It’s fun to walk around with him and get to know him. It’s nice to see the smile on their faces.”

Schlichter’s mother, Rose, said they lived in Temecula for 12 years but recently moved to Carlsbad. She said she tries to bring him to Temecula occasionally to visit with his friends.

“He loves swimming, baseball and basketball, but basketball is his favorite. He used to be 280 pounds, but he lost like 80 pounds by being active. You have to do that with Down’s,” Rose said.

For lunch, the participants were treated to pizza from Temecula’s Stadium Pizza. All got a medal during the closing ceremonies.

Maggie Avants is the education editor for SWRNN.com. Reach her at maggie.avants@swrnn.com. Follow SWRNNedu on Twitter!

Tags: Angelique Johansen, Ashley Simon, Cerebral palsy, chaparral high school, city of temecula, Dawn Adamiak, down's syndrome, Dustin Schlichter, Emily Phippen, Geoffrey Gaier, Maggie Avants, Miley Cyrus, Pink, Rose Schlichter, stadium pizza, Superintendent Carol Leighty, Swan Jones, SWRNN, Temecula councilman Michael S. Naggar, Temecula Special Games, temecula valley unified school district, Thomas Nilsen, Williams' syndrome

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 at 8:17 pm and is filed under Education, Local News, News . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.