Friends are family for this Special Olympics group in Indiana
One word sums up what Washington Township Special Olympics (WTSO) means to Nick Schoonveld — friends.
Ten years ago, WTSO added a Wednesday get-together to their schedule. Fun activities included bowling, trips to the zoo or just hanging out for lunch and making signs for a favorite activity — the Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Butler University. The most valuable asset that formed within this group, however, is more subtle. With the Wednesday get-togethers, sports competitions and other activities, the men and women in the Washington Township group have formed a community.
The Wednesdays, in particular, are “the stage that all these friendships started,” says Schoonveld’s mom, Kristin Schoonveld, “where we continue to cultivate the friendships and then it just carries over whenever they see each other at other things.” She is the group facilitator but also a direct support professional who has worked with some members of the group for decades. She beams when she talks about the group. She talks about how the group has changed over the years. They are more interested in their friends, seeking them out, helping each other, teasing each other. They are more independent.
During a recent bowling outing, friends hugged, congratulated each other on good ball throws, helped those in need and did some friendly teasing with their opponents. At a Butler Women’s basketball game they took in the atmosphere, two held hands while a favorite song was played over the loudspeaker. Selfies were taken and shared. At lunch getting ready for the Polar Plunge, friends helped each other get drink refills or dessert. Together they made WTSO letters to put on a poster for the big day. Kristin Schoonveld drew the letters, and Sarah Strouse lined them and readied them for decoration. Shane McPheron, Tony Kleinschmidt, Phil Baker and others decorated the letters. Together the small activity highlighted the personality of the group — helpful and friendly.
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Strouse talks about another important aspect of the group. Several years ago, she lost her mother to brain cancer. Her grandmother died the same year, and her grandfather died more recently. Having the WTSO group was important to her during these hard times. And now she gives back to help others when they lose loved ones. Several of the group have lost parents or grandparents. When that happens, she is there with support and presence as they all are for each other.
Butler University Special Olympics Polar Plunge started the Special Olympics Indiana fundraising season in January 2023. Polar plunges raise money and awareness for Special Olympics and are held throughout the state and the world during the winter. The WTSO group worked with the Butler Ambassadors to Special Olympics (BESO) team. Some jumped into the water, some walked in while some watched in support.
“It’s freezing,” says McPheron. “I freeze for a reason,” he says with a smile, borrowing the event slogan as an apt personal description. But it is hanging out with his friends at such events and other activities that is his favorite thing. “I just enjoy being around friends.”
“I’m comforted in knowing that they have formed such a bond with each other because of Wednesdays,” says Kristin Schoonveld as she understands the magnitude of the group and thinks ahead. “If or when I’m not here anymore, they’re going to take care of each other. They will always look out for each other.”
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Washington Township Special Olympians are friends and family
