Michael (Mike as he now prefers to be called) has been described as having two moods happy and happier and that is very true. Mike very seldom has a bad day; he loves life, people and the events in his life.
When the official news was given to us that Mike had Down Syndrome, like many of you reading this article who heard similar news, we were crushed and many dreams were shattered but, enough of that part of the story. Fast forward … we join the parents group Parents of Down Syndrome, Mike is enrolled in early intervention programs and the years start to roll by. Mike (age 7) attends grammar school at Garden Gate Elementary and his teacher (Sylvia Machamer) suggests that we get Mike involved in Special Olympics. We took her advice and it is most likely one of , if not, the most important decisions we ever made for Mike.
Special Olympics has provided the opportunity for life long physical conditioning, socialization and the making of many, many great friendships. Mike participates year round in a variety of sports from Bocce Ball to Power Lifting and loves every minute of it, including practice. Fast forward …20 more years have gone by. Last August, Mike received a letter notifying him that he had been selected as the San Jose Sports Authority 2007 Special Olympian of the Year and would be recognized at the Hall of Fame dinner along with the likes of Brian Boitano, Mark Spitz and several other notable San Jose area athletes.
Since last November it has been a roller coaster ride for Mike. In addition to the SJSA recognition, he was on TV both ABC 7 and NBC 11 Moving Pictures, he got invited to ride in the Grand Marshall’s car for the NBC 11 Holiday Parade in San Jose, just recently got a tour of NBC 11 studios in San Jose, was recognized at a recent board meeting at DeAnza College and in April he will run one leg of the Olympic Torch Run Relay in San Francisco celebrating the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
If it weren’t for being born with Down Syndrome, he and we (parents Dave & Karen) along with his sisters Melissa and Danielle and brother Chris would have missed out on a life filled with challenge, accomplishment, excitement, fun, making a lot of great life long friendships and the opportunity to be part of a great organization like Special Olympics. Back to the beginning … disappointment and shattered dreams have been repaired by the great guy Mike has become.
By: David Bailey, Mike's dad
