Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Who can make a difference?

Special Olympics 2009 hosts two events in Ketchum


Special Olympian Dustin Plunkett, center, breaks down and is comforted by, left to right, Pirie Grossman, Melinda Blinken and Troy McLaine. Photo by Dana DuGan

By DANA DUGAN

and SABINA DANA PLASSE

Express Staff Writers

At two gatherings last week in Ketchum to promote the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, politicians, celebrities, movers and shakers and a self-proclaimed "podunk," Troy McLaine, came together to share their stories and dreams. Ketchum resident Kipp Nelson hosted an evening picnic on Wednesday, Aug. 15, and Alan and Wendy Blinken hosted an al fresco luncheon, Thursday, Aug. 16.

"I can make a difference. Can you?" McLaine called out to guests. "I can make a difference because my little sister (DoraLynn) taught me to."

Adopted and raised by Troy and his mother in Alaska, DoraLynn is an active Special Olympian. Because of her, this Boise based entrepreneur, motivational speaker and veteran of Donald Trump's "Apprentice," is an outspoken supporter of the Special Olympics. At both events the personable McLaine showed why he has become the official spokesman for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, to be held in Southwest Idaho. He is also a member of the Special Olympics board of directors along with Wood River Valley residents Nelson, Chip Fisher and Co-Chairs Pirie and Jim Grossman.

Both events were basically identical in nature. People were invited for a meal and to hear Chairman of Special Olympics Tim Shriver, McLaine and the hosts speak about the Special Olympic games and drum up interest on everything from donating money to becoming a host town to volunteering. At both gatherings, brothers Jimmy and Donnie Demers entertained on song and piano.

Shriver called the courage of the Special Olympic athletes inspiring and a catalyst for others to challenge themselves.

"It started back in '68 when children with intellectual disabilities were bused in to Soldier Field (Chicago). These children had never been to school. They called it Olympic," Shriver said. "It's not fake. It's not pretend. It's real. There are 2.5 million athletes with the same number of volunteers in support. If you get involved, you can make a difference and you will get back more than you give."

Shriver said that these "athletes are still denied healthcare, and the Special Olympics is one of the largest public health initiatives." He told a story about a Special Olympian he met in Tanzania who wanted to run in a Special Olympics Global Messenger footrace but had no shoes. His coach said no, but he insisted.

"The winner finished the 10k in 34 minutes," Shriver said. "The rest of the runners came in one by one. At 59 minutes 'Ramadan' comes into the stadium. The crowd rose. His father was there with tears streaming down his face. (I realized) his Dad had given him the strength to run with no shoes, in a race he wasn't supposed to run in. The values to do that are what Boise, the nation and (international community) can gain. It's on a larger stage. The world is really looking for a message."

One of the most effective speakers, however, was Dustin Plunkett, a Special Olympics Southern California athlete, Global Messenger and board member. He's won numerous medals over the years from his prowess in snowshoe. Golf, snowboarding, basketball, softball and skating in the 11 years he's competed in Special Olympics.

His message was clear. Volunteers are a huge part of why the organization can do what it does. Several years ago a volunteer who was a dentist suggested Plunkett see a dental surgeon he knew.

"The dentist said I have bad news for you," Plunkett said. "He told me I had cancer in my gums."

When Plunkett came to this part of the story, he broke down and had difficulty continuing. McLaine, Pirie Grossman and Melinda Blinken all came to his side until he recovered. But for the intervention of that volunteer Plunkett would not have been standing in the Blinkens' beautiful back yard in his Global Messenger suit. He is now cancer free, and smiling hugely.

"If it wasn't for the volunteer I don't know where I'd be today," Plunkett said. "It makes me smile. You can save and change the life of athletes like a volunteer did for me."




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