....................480 Adams Street, Suite #208, Milton Massachusetts, USA • 617.696.7758
 
 
 
 

Special Olympian
Makes History

By Gail Lacouture
Times Staff
7/15/10
Stephen Drysdale will make it into the record books.

The lifelong resident, who will celebrate his 25th birthday next month, is set to embark on a historical trip representing Milton as its first-ever national Special Olympian.

Drysdale, along with 80 others from Massachusetts, is part of a team of men and women about to leave for Lincoln, Neb., on July 17 to compete in this year’s national Special Olympic games.

Drysdale will swim in the 25- and 50-meter freestyle and backstroke events, and compete in the swimming relay. He is excited about the chance to travel with his friends and is looking forward to participating in the games.

“[The trip] will be excellent and I’m very happy,” he said.

Drysdale, who has been involved with the state’s Special Olympic games for eight years and boasts numerous medals, does more than just swim. He is also an avid golfer and bowler.

“He has come so far,” said Stephen’s mother, Wendy Drysdale, referring to a few early struggles the family faced associated with Stephen’s Down syndrome. But, she said, those are distant memories because “Stephen is so active and we are extremely proud of all he has done and continues to do.”

Stephen, who attended Glover Elementary, Pierce Middle and Milton High schools, now spends every day each week at GROW Associates in Avon, a nonprofit that provides life skills and employment training to individuals with disabilities.

He works at GROW’s in-house restaurant, participates in workshops, and conducts volunteer work for Cradles2Crayons.

In addition, Stephen is part of a “friendship club” every other Monday where a coach teaches skills such as how to prepare and cook a dish, serve it and then clean up following the meal.

Along with cooking, sports are where Stephen’s passions lie. He takes part in the Parks and Recreation Department’s Gym Buddy program, and loves to watch WWE wrestling on television.

Asked if his team will take home the gold in Nebraska, Stephen responded, “Yes, we will!”

In order to be selected for the national team, Stephen tried out in New York last year during a weekend training camp. He also had to go through an interview process.

“We’re really proud of all of his accomplishments,” Wendy said, adding that she received great feedback on Stephen’s interview from Special Olympics organizers.

She credits the coaches who train and work with Stephen each week.

“He’s very busy, he loves what he’s doing, and most importantly, he’s happy,” she said.

The Special Olympics organization is already starting to raise funds for next year’s national games. Visit www.specialolympicsma.org to make a donation.