By Matt Mauney | Associate Editor
By the time Bailey Lemelin was 6 years old, her parents realized she couldn’t participate in a Plant City youth soccer program any longer.
“She didn’t have the ability or mentality to keep up with the other kids,” Bailey’s mom, Deanna Lemelin, said.
She twirled batons for four years, but soon, that too, became too competitive for Bailey, who is diagnosed with microcephaly, a neurodevelopment disorder in which the circumference of the head is more than two standard deviations smaller than the average person, causing abnormal brain growth.
Swimming and horseback riding are two favorite activities for Bailey, now 10. While searching for programs that Bailey would fit in with, Lemelin learned about the Special Olympics program at Plant City High School. The Plant City chapter offered swimming but not equestrian activities — which are held in Wesley Chapel.
“We figured we would give swimming a try and see how that worked out,” Lemelin said.
Bailey competed in her first meet the last week of August and fared well.
“She won her first race in her age division,” Lemelin said. “It was great to see her have that kind of determination and drive.”
Bailey also qualified to compete in the state competition Oct. 6 and 7, in Sebastian.
Through Bailey’s swim coach, Sandy Denham, an ESE teacher at PCHS who has been involved with Special Olympics for more than 30 years, Lemelin also learned the program’s other offerings. Bailey now competes in swimming and bowling as one of the youngest members of the PCHS program.
With about 50 members, the PCHS Special Olympics chapter is one of the largest in Hillsborough. Denham said the program has some members that participate well into their mid 30s.
“It’s a great thing for our athletes, because they build lasting friendships,” Denham said.
The Special Olympics program at PCHS teams up with the Best Buddies program, in which students and athletes help and mentor Special Olympics participants. Lemelin’s oldest daughter is one of those volunteers.
“They help the athletes with pointers and hive-five them and encourage them,” Lemelin said. “Really, anything to lift their spirits and make them feel like they’re doing a great job.”
Denham received good news last week when she found out one of the basketball teams was selected to compete on the national level in New Jersey during the summer of 2014. The team took gold at a recent state competition.
“The core of that team has been together for five years, so they deserve to go,” said Denham, noting the focus now is to raise the funds for the trip.
For more about Special Olympics in Hillsborough, visit specialolympicshillsborough.org.
Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver.com.