I kept watching my email, newsfeeds and phone religiously three days before the reported Nor’easter was to hit our region. Event after event was cancelled due to the forecasted storm. Surely Special Olympics would follow a similar path. When Saturday came and no communication crossed my devices, I knew we were in it for the long haul. Calling Bryan, I made sure to apprise him of what was to come the next day. “Bring your good L.L. Bean raincoat, and extra shoes and socks. You’re going to get soaked” I warned.

In the back of my head, I remembered what Bryan’s long-time coach had told me at countless other meets over the years “Special Olympics will only cancel an event if thunder and lightning are involved.” Well, I guess lots of wind and rain did not fit that bill. Be prepared – the Boy Scout motto.

And Bryan came prepared. You never know what to expect when he is getting ready for an event on his own. Will he remember everything? Will his uniform be correct? Will it be clean? Having so many staff in and out of his home makes clear communication difficult. And Bryan forgets. It’s part of the ADHD. Fortunately, my buddy was ready to go and conquer the course!

The races were pushed ahead as best they could be due to the high winds and sideways rainfall. Pushing through the extreme elements, Bryan prevailed. He bested both of his posted practice heat times. And he did something he hasn’t done in years at a Local Meet. He got two gold medals in the 1500 and 3000 meter racewalks! His happy smile in the picture above says it all, bedraggled though he appears. Fortunately, the dry shoes and socks he brought along for race #2 helped with soggy feet, although he didn’t want his raincoat to weigh him down.

The event coordinators had pizza and drinks waiting for the athletes after they received their medals. And then another surprise! A unexpected meeting and hug from Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. Brian and Bryan.

After lunch, Bryan was treated by Dad to a Dairy Queen blizzard on the way back to his home. NO amount of rain could dampen that tradition which we’ve been doing with Bryan for almost forty years of Special Olympics competitions!

Next weekend is the District Meet at DeSalles University. Rain is again forecasted. Two weeks later is the Montgomery County Meet. Two weeks after that Bryan is hoping he is chosen to go to Villanova for the State Games. We shall see. No matter the outcome, the training, comradery and competition is totally worth it. That’s why he’s continued to compete ever since he was in elementary school. He is such an inspiration and a lesson in stick-to-it-tiveness! And we will continue to show up and cheer him on as long as he chooses to keep competing.