Special Olympics athletes inspire special-needs kids

A week ahead of the arrival of Special Olympics athletes from other countries in Glendale, past medalists met with special-needs children in hopes of inspiring them on Thursday.

The gathering was held at Glendale Adventist Medical Center’s Play to Learn Center in Eagle Rock, where kids with various special needs can get physical and cognitive training.

A few dozen of the youngsters who receive treatment at the center met the likes of Samantha Roman, a two-time track-and-field silver medalist from Team Glendale, who competed in the Southern California Summer Games in the past.

“I want to support athletes,” she said. “It’s fun, and I get to meet other athletes.”

Roman, 19, got to hang medals around children as young as 3 and 4 years old who may want to play in the games some day.

Elvia Rios’ 5-year-old son, Zhyez Gonzalez, was born with a rare condition that has left him nonverbal.

Zhyez was initially told he would never walk, but he has managed not only to walk but to come to enjoy the outdoors.

“We take him hiking to get the momentum of steps going,” Rios said. “He swims; he enjoys the water. It’s always a possibility.”

Glendale Adventist Medical Center is Glendale’s title sponsor for the Special Olympics’ Host Town program. Athletes will come next week from Armenia, Bonaire and the Dominican Republic to compete in the World Games to be played in Los Angeles, and they will stay in Glendale during the days leading up to the opening ceremonies.

Mayor Ara Najarian spoke at the event on Thursday about the city’s pride in not only hosting visiting athletes but helping to provide them a unique opportunity.

“It means a lot to be a host city. It means we’re helping special athletes enjoy the joy and thrill of athletic competition regardless of their ability,” he said. “They will learn what it’s like to win. They will learn what it’s like to compete and, just by competing, they’re all winners.”

Next Wednesday, the Special Olympics torch will pass through Glendale at 5 p.m. at the Americana at Brand on its way to the Los Angeles Coliseum for the opening ceremonies.

After the mayor’s comments, the winning athletes lined up to present medals to children at the Play to Learn Center.

Yesenia Mesa is mother to 8-year-old Lucas Mesa, who competed in track in a past Special Olympics. It’s an event that his whole family enjoyed, his mother said.

“[Lucas] did really great. He really loved it and not just the running, but the socializing aspect of it … He really enjoyed that,” Yesenia Mesa said.