Team Zuni

Tuesday, October 16-  Team Zuni has returned home safe and sound.  After leaving Orlando by a variety of means including both air and interstate, team members were met in Zuni by friends waiting with welcome signs and congratulatory balloons.  It has been a trip of friendships and memories made; of new feelings experienced and sights seen; of new levels of athletic performance met.  We have been blessed with beautiful weather, safe travels and  good health. For all of this, we are grateful.

Team Zuni would like to thank everyone who made this trip happen:

- The Leadership of Presbyterian Homes who supported the idea of our clients attending this championship event.
- The staff and leadership of the Zuni campus that advocated for and prepared their athletes to travel to Orlando.
- Coach Rob whose desire to share the gift of fitness and competition with our athletes.
- Nichole for making and revising travel arrangements for the team and making our trip seamless and worry-free.
- The staff that accompanied our athletes.  Their leadership and support made  Tj's, Lee's, Peter's, Daryl's and Rafael's adventure safe and comfortable.  Without your love and devotion to serving our clients, they would not have had the great trip they did.
- The members of the Development team that quickly reacted to the opportunity for supporting this trip by communicating it to donors and friends of the Ministry.
- All of the donors and supporters of the team whose generosity made this trip something very special to our athletes.
- And finally, the actual athletes who practiced weekly, traveled to meets throughout the state gaining experience, and who qualified to attend the World Powerlifting Championships.  Their courage, determination and love for life made this adventure a gift to everyone they came into contact with.

The future holds a break from powerlifting for the athletes as they spend the Fall and Winter participating in other Special Olympics sports.  However, a tentative powerlifting meet is currently being planned for February, 2008 and there are rumors of other athletes from the Zuni campus asking how they can join the team. 

As the Orlando adventure turns to memory, we now look forward to the upcoming holiday season.   Thank you all for your support and prayers. 

Monday, October 15-  With medals in hand and souvenir shopping now complete, the team is now prepared for the final event of the trip- A visit to DisneyWorld's Magic Kingdom!  When asked who the athletes were looking most forward to seeing, answers ranged from Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy! It has been a good trip thus far and the team has been exceptional in their attitudes and teamwork.  As breakfast now finishes being cooked in the kitchen, coffee is being enjoyed and maps of the park are reviewed a final time for information on rides and shows.

At this time, I would like to offer my appreciation for the caregivers for these men and those throughout all of our adult homes.  These loving staff members treat these men as family; eating together, tending their special needs and providing loving encouragement and support during times of uncertainty or confusion.  While I have always admired the kind and generous devotion of our staff members, my respect has grown tremendously during our time in Florida.  To paraphrase, "truly blessed are the caretakers".  It is only through their sacrifice and support that this experience has been made available to these men and the memories captured for a lifetime.

While I have attempted to avoid commentary about my personal experiences, I do want to describe the gift I have received from participating on this trip.  At the weigh-in/registration of the Powerlifting event, all of the athletes had to stripdown and be weighed to determine their particular competitive division.  One of our athletes, Daryl, partially utilizes a wheelchair for mobility.  In assisting Daryl after his weigh-in, I was kneeling before him replacing his socks and shoes as he sat in his wheelchair.  Although I was replacing sneakers rather that washing feet, I personally felt that God spoke to my heart and charged me with being a servant to these brave athletes.  I hope I am living to this charge and am grateful for the opportunity to serve.

More later about our day with the Mouse!

Sunday, October 14-  This morning we bid Coach Rob goodbye as he flies home in time for work on Monday.  A casual day is planned with some Putt Putt and a trip to Downtown Disney for some strolling and window shopping.  This morning, an album was created of the photos of the trip to date at the following link:

http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee117/TeamZuni/?mediafilter=all

More photos will be added throughout the remainder of the trip.  More to come!

Downtown Disney was a big hit with everyone enjoying the HUGE World of Disney store as well as all of the other available shopping.  Many gifts were purchased to surprise friends and family at home.  A quick game of Putt putt was enjoyed by Lee, Peter and TJ as well.  After quick trip to the grocery for a few items to pull us through the final days, we enjoyed dinner at the local Sizzler.  With everyone stuffed and TJ and Peter enjoying their new Transformers, the day is winding down.  Tomorrow, Magic Kingdom!

Saturday, October 13-  It's 6:00 am and the athletes are already beginning to stir.  Excitement has been at such a pitch over the past few days that it is doubtful that much sleep was enjoyed by the team in anticipation of today's events.  Equipment is now being checked and double checked as the coaches begin the intensive process of feeding the five young powerlifters.  It may be dark outside now, but the light from the eyes and smiles of these young men has lit up the whole neighborhood. 

The competition today is expected to be fierce but not nearly as great as the potential that these young men will walk away with medals in their individual events.  Of the three major powerlifting events, T.J. Rafael and Peter will be participating in the "triple-crown":
Squat (where from a standing position the athlete carries a weight on their shoulders, bends their knees to squat on the ground and then brings himself back to a standing position)

Bench Press (the athlete, lying prone on a bench, must bring a weight located on his extended arms down to his chest and then extend his arms again fully)
 
Dead lift (the athlete, standing directly over a weight, must bend down to grasp the weight and then fully stand until his knees lock before returning the weight to the ground). 

Lee will participate in the dead lift and Bench Press events while Daryl will concentrate on the Bench Press after a sore back caused his withdrawal from the Dead Lift.

Several hundred athletes will be competing today in the "Milk Building" of the Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, each will have their own story of hard work, determination and sacrifice to make it to the World Championships, but it is doubtful that many of these stories can compare to the hardwork and dedication undertaken by Team Zuni to make it to this event.

Thursday, October 11-  Team Zuni Take To The Skies

With the arrival of Team Zuni to the Newport News airport this morning, the adventure began!  After maneuvering check-in and security like the seasoned travelling athletes they are, the Big Five of T.J., Lee, Peter, Daryl and Rafael met the challenge of flight head-on.  With a few expected anxious moments at takeoff, all was well as we levelled off and enjoyed the clear sky and panoramic views of the atlantic seaboard.  The members of the Team came together during the flight with the more experienced fliers providing support and words of encouragement to those experiencing a little nervousness during their first flight. 

After a smooth landing in Orlando, the team fueled up with a hearty lunch at Shoney's where Rafael purchased a stuffed Shoney Bear to bring him luck in the upcoming competition.  After lunch, we made our way to our reserved accomodations in Kissimmee, situated close to the Disney Wide World of Sports complex where the Powerlifting events are scheduled to begin on Saturday.  Team Zuni quickly settled into the rental home and spent the evening in its game room playing air hockey and pool. 

The coaching staff, led by Head Coach Rob and Assistant Coaches Irhonda and Seline, took on the task of laying in several days supplies to carry these World Class Athletes through their upcoming rigorous competition.  Tomorrow brings a trip to Universal Studios for the team to unwind and in the evening, the official competition weigh-in and registration.  The athletes are primed and ready.  Strategy is being discussed and last minute adjustments to events are being made.  It truly is a pleasure seeing these men coming together as a team.  It's inspiring to see athletes that take part in what is essentially an event of individual competition supporting and taking care of each other as a team.  

Things are starting to quiet down now as the fatigue of the day's travel sets in.  Tomorrow's forecast promises sunny skies as well as smiles, laughter and new experiences for all.  Team Zuni wishes to give  heartfelt thanks to everyone that has supported this adventure with their prayers and support.  We truly appreciate it! Until tomorrow!