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Our family arrived in Tallahassee in July 1997, when my wife, Shirley,
was recruited from Canada as an RN. Our son Jonathan, born with
Down syndrome, was 12. During the past 11 years, we have witnessed
Jonathan growing from a young boy striving to fit in and being
accepted for his abilities and not his disabilities into a wonderful young
man and a positive member of society.
was recruited from Canada as an RN. Our son Jonathan, born with
Down syndrome, was 12. During the past 11 years, we have witnessed
Jonathan growing from a young boy striving to fit in and being
accepted for his abilities and not his disabilities into a wonderful young
man and a positive member of society.
| June 20, 1008 by: Peter Henry DEMOCRAT My View |
We have many people to thank for his amazing progress, and I will endeavour not to miss anyone. First and
foremost are all the new friends and an amazing school and all the staff at Gretchen Everhart. His teachers
taught him responsibility, confidence and many working skills during his eight years there.
Jonathan's love for sports and the skill levels he mastered are directly credited to Terry, his staff and fellow
swimmers of ATAC, where Jonathan swam for four years, and Lee, Nicole and fellow skaters of Skate World,
where he skated for six years.
Both these organizations are without a doubt top-notch. They both showed patience, love and acceptance of
Jonathan, who was the only special-needs athlete at the time he participated. The coaches ensured he learned
the mechanics in each step, resulting in skills that have allowed Jonathan to win many gold medals at Florida
State Level Special Olympics Competitions over the years. Special Olympics has been a big part of Jonathan's
life.
I want to thank Mike Rice for his unconditional love toward Jonathan while teaching him golf. We thank all
those volunteers who have coached, mentored and loved him over the past 10 years. There are too many to
mention, but they know who they are. Jonathan wants to thank all his fellow Olympians for allowing him to be
their friends.
We want to thank Jim and his staff of Gold's Gym for giving Jonathan a job he loved at the Capital Circle
Northwest location and where he was accepted by his co-workers. He would come home all excited and say,
"I can't wait for work tomorrow!"
We also want to thank Covenant Hospice for allowing Jonathan to volunteer and making him feel he was a
valued member of the team.
Jonathan has become without a doubt the most die-hard Seminole fan. We have attended several football and
baseball games, and he never comes home with his voice; he leaves it on the field! He never got to meet his
heroes or coaches, but if any player or anyone reading his would like to sign his guest book, his Web site is
www.81x.com/downsreallyup/meetme.
We are now starting a new chapter and moving back to Canada to be close to our daughter and grandchildren.
I guess we will be tailgating half the football games in snow, but we'll remain warm with all the fond memories
of Tallahassee in our hearts.
foremost are all the new friends and an amazing school and all the staff at Gretchen Everhart. His teachers
taught him responsibility, confidence and many working skills during his eight years there.
Jonathan's love for sports and the skill levels he mastered are directly credited to Terry, his staff and fellow
swimmers of ATAC, where Jonathan swam for four years, and Lee, Nicole and fellow skaters of Skate World,
where he skated for six years.
Both these organizations are without a doubt top-notch. They both showed patience, love and acceptance of
Jonathan, who was the only special-needs athlete at the time he participated. The coaches ensured he learned
the mechanics in each step, resulting in skills that have allowed Jonathan to win many gold medals at Florida
State Level Special Olympics Competitions over the years. Special Olympics has been a big part of Jonathan's
life.
I want to thank Mike Rice for his unconditional love toward Jonathan while teaching him golf. We thank all
those volunteers who have coached, mentored and loved him over the past 10 years. There are too many to
mention, but they know who they are. Jonathan wants to thank all his fellow Olympians for allowing him to be
their friends.
We want to thank Jim and his staff of Gold's Gym for giving Jonathan a job he loved at the Capital Circle
Northwest location and where he was accepted by his co-workers. He would come home all excited and say,
"I can't wait for work tomorrow!"
We also want to thank Covenant Hospice for allowing Jonathan to volunteer and making him feel he was a
valued member of the team.
Jonathan has become without a doubt the most die-hard Seminole fan. We have attended several football and
baseball games, and he never comes home with his voice; he leaves it on the field! He never got to meet his
heroes or coaches, but if any player or anyone reading his would like to sign his guest book, his Web site is
www.81x.com/downsreallyup/meetme.
We are now starting a new chapter and moving back to Canada to be close to our daughter and grandchildren.
I guess we will be tailgating half the football games in snow, but we'll remain warm with all the fond memories
of Tallahassee in our hearts.
