Olympic Spirit Sweeps Through Northeast Center for Special Care

Northeast Center for Special Care an innovative rehabilitation program for brain injury, spinal cord injury and ventilator weaning, held its annual summer olympics from August 22 - August 26 on it's Lake Katrine campus.

(PRWEB) September 12, 2005 -- The second annual Northeast Center for Special Care Summer Olympics, a week-long therapeutic competition for those recovering from traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, ventilator dependency or a medically complex condition was held last week at the Northeast Center for Special Care campus.

Held twice a year, the Summer Games and Winter Games are designed to inspire competitors to reach ever higher toward their community re-entry goals. As it is with the international Olympics, the Olympic torch is an integral part of the tradition of the Games. At the start of the Games, Resident-Athletes from each team pass the torch to a fellow competitor, eventually taking it throughout Northeast Center for Special Care.

The 2005 Summer Games began on a positive note when Northeast Center for Special Care Administrator, Anthony Marmo officially opened the games. Marmo, who is new to Northeast Center for Special Care is an example of the significance of new beginnings and the courage to try new things. At the ceremony, held in Northeast Center for Special Cares Desert Eden, the Resident-Athletes cheered, and proudly represented their teams with posters and badges and some wore their team colors.

During the Olympics, Northeast Center for Special Care Resident-Athletes competed in adapted events ranging from traditional sports to fine art work. A number of the contests were modeled after Special Olympic modified events, while others are unique to Northeast Center for Special Cares Olympic games. All events are designed to feature the skills developed by the competitors through programs facilitated by the Therapeutic Activities Department, Fine and Performing Arts Department, and Rehab Department. Events included relay races, bean-bag toss, volleyball, Nerf football and Frisbee throw, basketball, weight lifting, obstacle course, water balloon toss and a putting contest. Other competitions featured Risk and Monopoly tournaments, a trivia contest, poker tournament, essay contest, chess and checkers tournaments, pie eating contest, spelling bee, poetry and painting contests, as well as a Battle of the Sexes."

Nearly 100 individual winners of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were named over the course of the Games, based on most improvement shown, personal best accomplishments, and overall skill. The winners names were posted in the lobby for Resident-Athletes, staff, and visitors to see. Team medals were also awarded based on the accumulated medal totals of the individual participants, each of whom were assigned to one of eight teams prior to the start of competition.

After one week of healthy competition, the 2005 Summer Games wrapped with an inspirational closing ceremony. Bill Shashaty, an occupational therapist at Northeast Center, transported a Resident-Athlete bearing the torch on the final stage of its journey to the opening ceremony at Northeast Centers Desert Eden. Shashaty is himself an inspirational athlete, participating in Iron Man competitions nationwide. Rather than personal glory, all of Shashatys Iron Man efforts go to support the Dana and Christopher Reeves Foundation, whose work directly benefits individuals living with the types of brain and spinal cord injuries that are the most common challenges facing residents at Northeast Center for Special Care. Shashaty raised approximately $5000 for the cause.

At the closing ceremony, the President of Northeast Center for Special Care Resident Council presented Shashaty with a special trophy in recognition of his hard work and dedication. The President on behalf of the staff, administration and, most importantly, the individuals recovering at Northeast Center for Special Care, delivered thanks. All in attendance listened to the story of Shashatys accomplishments at Iron Man and the President joked that it would have been a closer race for Shashaty if his long hair had not blown in his eyes.

Therapeutic Activities Department member Todd Langon was next at the microphone. He applauded Shashaty for challenging himself at Iron Man and going to the next level. Langon is also an amazing athlete; hes an amateur boxer. He was in a unique position to inspire the Resident-Athletes because he is a two-time brain injury survivor. He delivered the most memorable words of the day saying, A disability is nothing more than an inconvenience that has to be overcome. It only becomes a handicap if you let it stand in your way." 

The Resident-Athletes and staff of Northeast Center for Special Care were treated to a special guest at the closing ceremony. Marist College Red Foxes Mens Basketball team Coach Matthew Brady was on site at Northeast Center for Special Care to close the games and present the awards. Coach Brady encouraged the Resident-Athletes to overcome stereotypes and as an example, he shared with the Resident-Athletes that he is able to meet all the challenges of being a basketball coach in spite of wearing a hearing aid, which corrects a severe hearing deficit. He reminded the Resident-Athletes that those with special challenges are in good company alongside Stephen Hawking, James Earl Jones, Ray Charles, and many others who have overcome their challenges and achieved notable things. He thanked the staff at Northeast Center for Special Care for their work organizing the Games and applauded the Resident-Athletes for participation, personal effort and commitment, characteristics the Resident-Athletes exhibited in abundance.

Brain Injury Program Director, Gerry Brooks thanked the Resident-Athletes for the roles they fulfill as part of the therapeutic community at Northeast Center for Special Care. He mentioned the proud expressions he noticed on many of the faces of the Resident-Athletes during the Olympic Week. He spoke of the relationship between accomplishment and happiness and congratulated the Resident-Athletes on their efforts and of course-their success.

Using the skills they have been re-learning at Northeast Center for Special Care in this unique fashion has clearly proven to motivate the residents toward their rehabilitation and community re-entry goals. As such, the program represents an important step in the fulfillment of the Northeast Center for Special Cares continuing mission.

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