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Picture This By Holly Wermiel 8/16/99 |
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"That's amazing", I muttered to myself, not really intending anyone to hear. Giant parachutes pulled by Special Olympians at their annual family camp grabbed at the air, filled, and lifted. Children with disabilities everywhere delighted in the kaleidoscope of color spinning behind each runner. There was no wind for the resident kite flyer that had come to camp to share his many colored spectacles. True to our resolve, we make do with what we've got. No wind present? That's not a problem for us at Special Olympics. We'll just make a little wind of our own by running as hard as we could. Tom's turn was next to pull the huge spiraling parachute. I wondered if he would run fast enough to lift the parachute from the ground. With a huge grin he powered off across the field with his arms and legs pumping as hard as he could. His arms and legs were flailing with enthusiasm. Then suddenly, time stood still for me. The parents' banter faded and the parachute became peripheral as my vision narrowed to his legs. They were not flailing in the typical style in which I had become accustomed. I watched his stride with interest. The quick marches without propulsion had changed. I had not noticed this before. His ankles and legs were moving forward, propelling him quickly across the ball field. He was moving with agility and power across the grass. "What's amazing?" another mother asked me curiously. "He's running," I responded tentatively. "Since you got the dog?" she asked. "Yes, since we got the dog," I whispered. How could I have not noticed it before? I want a picture of this. I went to the car and grabbed my camera. Then I had a craving. I wanted a picture to celebrate the moment. I wanted one fabulous picture to share with Kim. I wanted a photo that would become a calendar centerfold to show the world what Tombre has done for Tom. "Do you think I could get a shot with Tom and Tombre running with the parachute?" I asked Dan. "We'd have to let her off her leash." We looked around the field. It was fenced on three sides. Fifty people stood on the fourth side. Not much chance she could get away. Then, a thought occurred to us both. What if we attached the parachute to Tombre's harness? She certainly could be caught easily with fifty feet of parachute line dragging behind. We decided she'd be safe if we tied the parachute to her harness and had Tom call her from across the field. Dan stood with Tom and Tombre and I helped Tom call her to him. Tombre excitedly responded to us. The parachute lifted and twirled. I poised myself for a terrific camera picture. Tombre ran to Tom filled with doggy joy. I clicked the camera. I hope the picture is filled with color, smiling faces, and working muscles. My heart knows that the picture couldn't possibly say enough though, even if it is one fabulous picture. |
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