Ethan Kowena would much rather talk about his favorite movies. Or zebras, his favorite animal. Or maps.
But not about the fact that he, along with his friend Kyle Yazzie, also from Flagstaff, will be two of the 151 athletes representing the United States in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea beginning Jan. 29 and running through Feb. 5, 2013.
Ethan and Kyle will compete in cross country skiing. Leanna Maul, from the Phoenix area, will also be going and will compete in snowshoeing.
Their journey to the Olympics involved training, qualifying races, gold and silver medals and fundraising. As athletes with intellectual disabilities, their journey to the Olympics has involved more than sports. For Ethan, he has made friends and developed self-esteem and life skills.
Ethan was diagnosed with autism when he was in the third grade at Marshall Elementary School. He is considered to be high-functioning. He has struggled with change, but the Special Olympics have helped.
“Before, everything was ‘I can’t, I can’t,'” said Ethan’s mother, Mary Tahbo.
Now according to Tahbo and Ethan’s father, Michael Kowena, Ethan is more confident. Tahbo said they owe a lot to Ethan’s coach, Carol Sharp.
INITIALLY RELUCTANT
Ethan started in Special Olympics with Sharp when he was at Sinagua Middle School in her Lifeskills Class. Sharp expects her Lifeskills students to participate in Special Olympics.
Sharp said Ethan was initially reluctant to participate, but over the course of two years he tried swimming, bowling, skiing, tennis, track, basketball and kayaking.
“Not only did he get involved,” Sharp said. “He became an advocate for other people to participate.”
He was elected president of the Special Olympics club. Ethan is now a freshman at Coconino High School and still participates in bowling, track, long jump and tennis.
Sharp has been involved with Special Olympics for 33 years. When asked why she has been involved for so long, she said, “If you have ever gone to an event, you would know the answer. It’s so inspiring. It has helped form the adult I have become.”
FIRST AIRPLANE TRIP
She has been chosen as a volunteer coach at seven World Games. This year she will be one of six cross country ski coaches.
On Dec. 10, she, Ethan and Kyle will join the other coaches and 26 other cross country athletes at Lake Placid, N.Y. This will be the first airplane trip for Ethan and Kyle.
She said there will be team-building events. The athletes will receive clothing packets and uniforms.
In Flagstaff, Ethan and Kyle have been completing dry-land and endurance training. At Lake Placid they will get to train on snow.
The Special Olympics were founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver to provide year-round sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics World Games are held every four years. In 2015, the Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Los Angeles.
THINK OLYMPICS
The winter games in PyeongChang start Jan. 29, 2013. When you imagine what the Special Olympics are like, think Olympics.
‘There is an Olympic Village. Celebrities. It goes nonstop,” Sharp said.
Ethan, Kyle and Sharp will travel together. Ethan’s dad will also travel to PyeongChang, but separately. He is a little stressed about the flying, but it’s important for him to be there.
“We are really proud of him,” Kowena said. “It’s a great accomplishment.”
Ethan and Kyle will be competing in 500-meter, 1 kilometer, and the 4-by-1 kilometer relay in cross country skiing.
“We are serious during the events and we have high expectations,” Sharp said.
Ethan may not like talking about his accomplishments, but he will be ready for the Special Olympics.
Sharp talks about how Ethan gets into the “groove” during cross country skiing.
MORE OUTGOING
According to his parents, Ethan has becoming more outgoing since starting with the Special Olympics.
“He does better with transitions. He deals with change better,” Kowena said. “He used to never leave our side.”
Now he has a core group of Special Olympic friends. And he is traveling around the world to South Korea to represent the United States.
Cecile LeBlanc can be reached at 556-2261 or cleblanc@azdailysun.com.
Special Olympics Fundraiser
The athletes are required to raise funds for their travels. If you would like to donate, visit: http://SpecialOlympicsWorldGames2013.kintera.org
You can also attend the following fundraising event, where 15 percent of the proceeds will go to local Special Olympics athletes.
Where: Big Foot BBQ, 120 N Leroux, Flagstaff, in the Old Town Shops
When: Dec. 11, 2012, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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