Bothell teen is Special Olympics-bound
Published 8:50 pm Sunday, July 4, 2010
Traveling to steamy Nebraska in the middle of July might not seem like a peachy idea.
To Allison McAfee, 16, of Bothell, it’s the best trip in the world.
She will help represent Washington from July 18 to 23 in the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games, which features 3,000 athletes from 50 states.
National games are held every four years.
“I’m nervous about meeting new people,” Allison said. “I’m trying to train hard.”
Her mother, Carrie McAfee, said her daughter is a special-needs student at Lynnwood High School.
“She is microcephalic; she has a small head,” Carrie McAfee said. “About the size of a 1-month-old baby. Luckily she has a lot of hair and no one really notices her problems.”
Disabilities aren’t apparent when chatting with Allison. She is giddy like any teen about taking a big trip. Special Olympics furnishes uniforms, from shoes to hats, for opening and closing ceremonies and competitions.
“But I want to pack extra clothes,” Allison said.
Of course she needs to look her best. She will be in the national spotlight. Allison could meet California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vanessa Williams, Scott Hamilton, Nadia Comaneci, Bart Connor or a host of other dignitaries and celebrities.
The global program got its start on July 20, 1968, when the First International Special Olympics Games were held at Soldier Field in Chicago. But the concept of Special Olympics was born much earlier, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for people with disabilities at her home in 1962.
There will be 13 competitive events at the games, including basketball, bocce, track and field, softball, and flag football. Allison is a track athlete and will compete in 100- and 200-meter races and shot put.
Organizers say there is going to be a “Cessna Airlift” before the games, the largest civilian airlift in the world, when more than 250 private jets bring thousands of athletes and coaches to Nebraska. At its peak, jets carrying competitors are expected to be landing nearly every 90 seconds.
Family members going to support Allison include her father, Dr. Scott McAfee; her mother, Carrie McAfee; her grandmother Janice Jones; her sister, Caitlin McAfee; and Caitlin’s boyfriend, Chris Davis. Brothers Mark, Luke and Keith aren’t making the trip.
Allison was chosen from a pool of competitors last year at the 2009 state track meet held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. She won gold medals in her events, which put her in the running for Nebraska.
Organizers drew about 300 names and asked coaches if those kids could travel and compete. Allison was still in the running.
After another drawing, there were 50 candidates standing.
Then they drew 28 names, including Allison’s. Those are the competitors who earned trips from Washington. Carrie McAfee said her daughter is the second student from the Edmonds School District going to nationals in 20 years.
Allison and her twin, Luke, were cherished babies, their mother said. By age 3, Allison was the quiet one. Doctors said she would never talk.
“We did not accept that,” her mother said. “With constant speech therapy and amazing doctors, we have a girl who talks just fine.”
Allison has a summer job handing out health forms to those boarding cruise ships in Seattle.
One of her teachers, Kathy Hoff, said Allison works hard in the classroom and is a leader.
“You will never hear a mean word out of her mouth,” Hoff said. “Allie wants to learn in the classroom or on the field. She is quite trainable because she listens and tries everything.”
Her family has always treated her as normal, Hoff said.
Allison has a great sense of humor and loves to laugh, Hoff said. Whether she wins or loses in Nebraska, she’ll try her best.
“She’ll come home with a big smile.”
Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com.
