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Local athlete to compete in Special Olympics World GamesBy Barbara Brown This summer, all his hard work will pay off when he and his family go to Dublin, Ireland, for world competition. Determan, affectionately known by family and friends as Wally, will be one of about 900 American athletes who will compete in the Special Olympics World Summer Games during the middle of June. After a 6-month process, Wally Determanís name was selected as one of the athletes from Minnesota who will join the United States team of hundreds of athletes who will compete for personal success at the World Games. Wally, a North Branch High School junior, will compete in the athletics competition ñ which is made up of several track and field events. Determanís team will leave the United States on June 14 to prepare for opening ceremonies on June 20. Events will be held until closing ceremonies on June 29. Unlike many other athletic competitions, success in Special Olympics isnít judged by how many medals, trophies and first place titles an athlete receives. Each athlete receives participation ribbons at the local level and at regional and state levels, they receive medals for their efforts. When selecting athletes for the World Games competitions, a board of coaches nominates an athlete based on traits like involvement, spirit and drive rather than how many first place titles they won. And Wally Determan has earned his share of honors from Special Olympics. In the basement of the familyís North Branch home, a special wood and glass case is filled nearly to the top with ribbons and medals. Tacked to the wall above the case are several of Wallyís numbers he has won in past events. North Branchís team earned a special spirit award during the competition, held about two weeks ago. Preparing for the big events Aho did not hesitate and agreed to help Wally every day after school. Wally is in Ahoís weight training class during the school day and Aho said one of the reasons he agreed to help is because he enjoys Wallyís spirit and attitude. ìHeís probably the most charming kid in the school,î Aho said. ìHe has a great attitude most of the time. But, heís just like every other kid and there are some days he doesnít want to give as much. ìThose are the days we play it by ear.î Aho said getting time on the high school track was easier before the mainstream team started practice.Now, most of Wallyís training takes place inside. His practice starts with a one mile run on a treadmill for a warm-up. Every other day, Aho alternates Wallyís workout with 200- and 100-meter drills in the school hallway. ìItís really important to listen to your coach,î Wally said. ìIf you donít you wonít be as good or you could do something wrong.î For the most part, Aho and Wally have a lot of laughs together. ìWe have to make it fun,î Aho said, ìotherwise he wonít want to do it as much - just like any other athlete.î Although Aho has seen an improvement in Wallyís performance over the past several months, he doesnít take any credit. ìHe did all the work before I started working with him,î Aho said. ìI agreed just because it would be fun to have the experience.î Down syndrome: Some facts The number of people in mainstream society with Down syndrome is expected to double in the next decade due to advances in technology and research. Life expectancies for people with Down syndrome has increased from only 9 years in the early 1900s to 55 or older today, according to society information. According to the National Down Syndrome Society, Down syndrome is usually caused by an error in cell division. Regardless of the type of Down syndrome a person may have ñ mosaicism, trisomy 21 or translocation ñ all people with Down syndrome have an extra part of the 21st chromosome present in all or some of their cells. Wally Determan has mosaic Down syndrome, which occurs in only one or 2 percent of all cases of Down syndrome. Down syndrome is no stranger to the Determan family. Roger Determanís first cousin was born with Down syndrome and is now in her mid 40s living a successful life. One of Roger Determanís second cousins was born with Down syndrome and died at 21, about five years before Wally was born. Roger and Mary Determan have four living children. Another baby died early in life and Mary had two miscarriages before she conceived twins Wally and Ed. When their twin boys were born, Wally was born with Down syndrome, Ed was not. That night, Roger Determan knew he had to come to terms with what could become a difficult life for his infant son. ìI got a hotel room that night after the boys were born,î Roger said. ìThat night I made my peace with it and I was determined to give my son every opportunity I could.î Facing the future At 12, Wally and his brother both received their gun safety ratings and now the family enjoys hunting trips for birds and deer whenever they can get away. Wallyís future education plans look good, Mary Determan said. She said the family is looking to set Wally up for Pine Technical College. The Determans started working with Wally to get his drivers license and that is one of the toughest challenges facing the family now, but they remain optimistic. Wally has set some additional goals for himself. And Wally wanted to go to prom. On May 17, he took his friend Anne Van Sant and joined his brother, another friend and their dates for a memorable evening on a dinner boat cruise. Growing up He was given chores, given rules, punished, rewarded and allowed to make his own decisions for the most part. ìThere is no pity in this house,î Roger Determan said. ìWe donít treat him any differently.î Ed said he never really thinks about whether Wally is different from his other friends. He often was the one who would learn a new skill and have the patience to teach his brother. Wallyís Down syndrome affected his balance dramatically and he did not learn how to ride until last summer. Ed was an integral part of Wally learning how. ìWhen he was little, he would tell new kids that if they wanted to be his friend, they had to be Wallyís friend too.î That approach worked well for Ed and Wally; maybe a little too well. ìAt school now Iím known as Wallyís brother,î Ed said, a sweet grin spreading across his face. ìI donít mind it at all.î ©ECM Post Review |