Wednesday, Jul. 14, 2010

Local Special Olympians headed to nationals

Family and friends don't call Kelley Burrows the "Energizer bunny" for nothing.

As a global messenger for Special Olympics, Burrows speaks to civic groups and other organizations in the Triangle and beyond.

"They have me hopping all over the place," she said.

Recently, Burrows was at the Falls Golf Complex in North Raleigh, taking a few last-minute practice swings as she prepared for the Special Olympics National Games in Lincoln, Neb. She was excited about leaving on Saturday for the games, which run Sunday through July 23.

Burrows, whose gold medal in the North Carolina Special Olympics golf skills competition earned her the right to compete in the National Games, will be on the national stage for the first time.

At 27, she has been a Special Olympics athlete for 11 years.

"The four skills I will be competing in are putting, chipping, pitching and driving," Burrows said.

She's nothing if not confident.

"I have a swing to die for," she said, laughing, showing off her trademark sense of humor.

The petite golfer can hit a ball up to 170 yards from a tee using her driver.

That she can swing a golf club at all is a miracle.

When Burrows was a baby, she suffered from severe ailments and underwent two open heart surgeries before she was 6 years old. She didn't walk until she was 3. Her mother, Alice, recalled the day she got up and walked, with braces on her legs.

"We were in New York for therapy, and saw a parade in Central Park," Alice Burrows said. "She saw a band and then just stood up, pretended she was playing air trombone and started marching."

Two years later, Burrows took up golf when her heart surgeon invited her to choose a toy in his office. She picked up a little plastic golf club and tried to hit a ball into a cup in her hospital room.

"I got a hole in one," she said.

The Special Olympics National Games feature competition in 13 sports, said Lisa Pleasants, spokeswoman for Special Olympics of North Carolina. More than 3,000 athletes from across the United States will compete, including a contingent of 50 athletes representing 28 local Special Olympics programs from North Carolina.

Tony Flores, 49, of North Raleigh coaches track and field and will be one of 14 coaches traveling to Lincoln. His two sons, Joey and Sammy, are Special Olympics athletes, but they are not competing nationally this summer. He admits it will be a unique experience to participate without his sons, but he believes in the program and enjoys seeing all Special Olympics athletes succeed.

"I have watched many of these young men and women grow up," he said. "Having a disability doesn't mean they don't have the ability to excel in sports."

Sara Carson Hunter, 29, who lives in Midtown Raleigh, and Cassi Goodman, 27 of Holly Springs are best friends.

On a recent day with temperatures soaring into the triple digits, they were on the Kildaire Farms Racquet and Swim Club courts in Cary sharing a lesson with Kirstie Marx. Both women will compete for medals and glory in the tennis skills portion of the National Games.

"My favorite tennis skills are hitting and serving," Hunter said.

"I like moving around and trying to get to the ball," Goodman chimed in.

Their regular coach, David Chiu, admires their Olympic spirit.

"Each of these young ladies has a wonderful personality, demonstrates immense courage, and has exceptionally strong inner spirit. They're eager to learn," he said.

As far as Hunter and Goodman are concerned, it's all about fun.

"We are in Special Olympics because we have a good time and enjoy meeting new people," Hunter said.

For Burrows, meeting new people has become a way of life, thanks to her public speaking responsibilities, which she has learned to embrace.

"I used to get nervous speaking to groups, but not anymore," she said. "I tell them, 'You can all go out and shake the hands of the athletes; we are all winners.' "

Special Olympics also has kindled her competitive spirit.

"It feels good to win medals, but gold is 1,000 times better than silver or bronze," she said.

She's not the only one who feels competitive.

"The athletes participate because they enjoy what they are doing, but you'd be surprised. When they get to an event the size of the National Games, their competitive spirit comes out; those juices start to flow, and they are in it to win," Flores said.

Burrows fervently believes that Special Olympics is for everyone, even those who aren't athletes.

"You can always be a fan," she said.

And for anyone who shows up to watch these athletes in action, becoming a fan is inevitable.