The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Norman Region Flin Flon Flyers are just one of many Special Olympics teams in the area. The Flyers are the local Special Olympics bowling team, consisting of about 15 team members. Norman Region coordinator Heather Todoschuk, who has been involved with the local Special Olympics since 1989, says bowling is just one sport the athletes can choose from. "Bowling isn't for everyone, but they can participate in swimming, cross country skiing and curling," she says. Athletes with the Special Olympics range in abilities, but Todoschuk says nobody is turned away. "As long as they have an intellectual disability," she says. According to the Special Olympics Manitoba website, an intellectual disability is having approximately 75 IQ or lower, existing concurrently with related limitations in two or more of the following applicable adaptive skill areas: Communication Self-care Home living Social skills Community use Participants may also have other associated disabilities along with an intellectual disability. Also according to the Special Olympics Manitoba website, participants are eligible to enter the programs at the age of two, or when they are ambulatory. Todoschuk says as long as the athletes have an intellectual disability, they can join a team. "We don't turn people away," she says. Todoschuk began helping with the Special Olympics as a swimming coach nearly 20 years ago and hasn't looked back since. "They asked me to help and I said yes," she says. And she has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Todoschuk says when it comes to the athletes and being around them, the feeling is indescribable. "The satisfaction of being able to help someone participate in sports and to leave an active life is just amazing," she says. Athletes participating in the various sports often compete against other teams in regionals. This year's competition will be taking place in Thompson in February. As in many sports, those teams taking part in the regionals will have the opportunity at their chance of going to provincials. Todoschuk says team members are often chosen for the provincial team to compete in nationals, in many sports. As far as bowling is concerned, the Flyers saw a team member in 1998 and again in 2002 head off to nationals. This year's nationals will be held down south, in either Winnipeg or Brandon. Todoschuk says after working with the athletes for so many years she has learned a few things over the years from the participants. "They have taught me patience and I've learned to accept people of their abilities," she says. "And they taught me to be happy for what I've got." Todoschuk says she's amazed at the outlook on life these athletes always seem to have. "They are just happy to be doing something and generally always happy." She adds, "you've really got to experience it to understand it." The Norman Region Flin Flon Flyers practice Saturday afternoons at the Pinheads Bowling Alley. Anyone interested in keeping score for the Flyers is asked to call Wendy Cone at 687-5681. For more information contact Heather Todoschuk at 681-7541.
