The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - I choked back tears more than once as Carrie Graham described her family's experience with Spe­cial Olympics Washington. I don't think she noticed - at least I hope not. But then again, she may not have cared. I'm pretty sure I saw some sparkly eyes on her side of the table as well.

Carrie and her husband Brad Graham returned from Wenatchee late Sunday night where they had coached their athletes in the 2014 Washington State Olympic Winter Games. The Special Olympics is a family affair for the Gra­hams.

Carrie said Brad, who has coached Special Olympic ath­letes for 25 years, gave an ultimatum of sorts when they mar­ried 17 years ago. He said, "I'm happy to give my love and resources to your children but you all have to turn it around and give your love and resources to what's important to me -- the Special Olympics." The family gladly obliged.

The pair, whose kids are now grown, coaches athletes from Waitsburg, Walla Walla, Prescott and Dayton - with one blind skier from Clarkston joining the team. The Special Olympics is not school affiliated as some think, nor is there an age limit for the athletes. Carrie explained that one of the slogans for Special Olympics is "Training for Life." Their 2014 team ranges in age from 11 to 49.

"For a lot of special needs kids, when you're done with high school there may be some community college, but then you're pretty much done. There are no activities for you and there's nowhere to fit in anymore," said Graham. "The kids that were nice to you go away to college and have families - their life goes on -- and yours doesn't. You're still home with Mom and Dad. Special Olympics gives those kids a place to be with their own peers."

Another misconception - one that Car­rie loves see­ing disproved - is that the athletes perform below average. "When people think of Special Olympics they think of some guy who will never leave the Bunny Hill and is very limited. I want people to understand that the advanced ath­letes on our team ski better than most people will ever ski," she said.

In fact, one of Brad's personal goals is to train the athletes until they can ski anything. "That way they are not dependent if they go with a friend or family member who may not know how to keep them safe. If a skier was at another resort, got off the trail and couldn't read the signs, they need to know how to handle anything: moguls, double black diamonds, and icy slopes," said Carrie. In fact, conditions at last weekend's Winter Games were so icy that many coaches felt the athletes shouldn't be out on the hill at all. "Our guys medaled and did great," she said, proudly.

Athletes and coaches spend every Sat­urday from November through February at Ski Bluewood preparing for the games. Many parents volunteer as coaches as do some community members. "It takes a lot of people to make this work," explained Gra­ham. With a team of 22 athletes, the group size doubles to around 40 skiers when you add in coaches and volunteers. "Brad spends about 40 hours a week out in the garage get­ting skis ready from November to March - and that's after working 40 hours a week. We have a whole team of wonderful coaches that all give something wonderful to the kids out on the hill. But if Brad quit, we wouldn't have a team."

In larger towns, ski shops often donate equipment and prepare skis. Brad and Car­rie often buy equipment themselves and are very grateful for "a hefty donation" from the Lion's Club last year. Ski Bluewood also provides Special Olympic athletes with free tickets, which makes the program possible. Coaches, volunteers, family members and donors work together to make Special Olym­pics the meaningful program that it is.

A highlight from last weekend's Games involved Coe Richards (17) who has been part of the team for the last four years. Carrie said Coe is a good intermediate skier but has been unable to understand how to navigate the flags and go between the gates, which disqualifies him from novice hill events. For the first time this year - after four years in the making - Coe not only qualified but took the silver medal in the Giant Slalom. "His Dad was with me at the starting line he picked me up and spun me in a circle! It was so special for the whole family," said Carrie.

She reminisced briefly on a few more heartwarming scenes from years past. She recalled her daughter Hilary, then in 7th grade, successfully teaching a blind skier when none of the adults had been able to. When asked how she'd done it she said, "I made him sing, Mom, because you can't be scared when you sing." Hilary would ski down the hill backwards and sing as the boy followed her voice and sang along.

Graham also recalls former WHS athlete Marty Ahmann - now married to Hilary, though the two were barely dating at the time - pretending to wipe snow from his eye to hide his tears as he said "My brother's never been able to do something better than me." Marty's brother, Shawn Ahmann, is an accomplished skier who once advanced to the Pre-World Games in Idaho.

Carrie has watched many family mem­bers learn to ski with her athletes. "One of the beautiful things is helping families see that this is an activity you can do together and enjoy your child. They can be as competitive as you are." After talking with Carrie, it's clear to me that everyone involved in Special Olympics is a winner, medal or no.

2014 Special Olympics Washington

Waitsburg and Prescott Winners

Shawn Ahmann, 25

Alpine Advanced Downhill - 2nd

Alpine Advanced Slalom - 6th

Rachel Gradwohl, 16

Alpine Intermediate Downhill - 2nd

Alpine Intermediate Slalom - 2nd

Alpine Intermediate Giant Slalom - 1st

Rebecca Peterson, 29

Intermediate Downhill - 2nd

Intermediate Giant Slalom - 3rd

Oliver Pinion, 11

Intermediate Unified Downhill - 4th

Intermediate Unified Slalom - 1st

Coe Richards, 17

Novice Slalom - 3rd

Novice Downhill - 1st

Novice Giant Slalom - 2nd

Catherine Shepherd, 18

Advanced Downhill - 1st

Advanced Slalom - 1st

Giant Slalom - 2nd