Written by Laura Morgan, mother of SONJ athlete, Chase Morgan
My name is Laura Morgan. I am mother to an athlete at Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ), Chase Morgan. I’ve been meaning to tell someone at SONJ just how much the organization has meant to my son and to his parents. You see, Chase was sort of always reluctant with sports and fitness. We tried everything within the “typical” population, and it always seemed to stress Chase out. Then, last year I asked if he wanted to work on his posture as we noticed a severe “hunch back” from poor posture positioning. So, I signed him up first to begin sessions after school, as a general workout at the Wawa Exercise and Wellness Center at the SONJ Sports Complex. Just for the two of us since it would be his first experience at a fitness center or exercising really.
The gym trainers then helped me navigate all that SONJ had to offer such as Summer Games, team sports, weekly classes at the fitness center, and Healthy Athletes. Rick helped me a lot when I first started at the fitness center with Chase. Everyone is a great resource! We are very lucky to live so close to the SONJ Sports Complex. In my wildest dreams I had no idea just how much the transformation, not only in his posture, but in his physical appearance and most of all his confidence would bring.
I like to take a little credit for always participating in the fitness sessions, but it would be minor. Really, Chase’s transformation is due to the staff. The welcoming and helpful staff that has lifted Chase’s spirit and boosted his confidence. And not only for Chase but it is evident for all the athletes. The staff is a big reason why Chase wants to go to the fitness center multiple times a week. And many encouraged and helped me navigate Chase’s participation in track last spring and cycling this fall. We were able to watch our son all weekend during the Summer Games, including his proud grandparents. All the experiences for Chase (and his parents) at SONJ have been a game changer in strengthening our desire to be more patient, more positive and more loving towards Chase.
Special Olympics New Jersey provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
The Wawa Exercise & Wellness Center is the official training center for Special Olympics New Jersey athletes. Eligible athletes are encouraged to train three times a week in a Unified environment by including a friend, sibling, or parent as a training partner. The center is fully equipped with the latest cardio and fitness machines and is staffed by certified trainers and fitness professionals. Wawa has been a Diamond Level Partner for many years.
Healthy Athletes® is a Special Olympics program that provides free health screenings in a fun, welcoming environment that removes the anxiety people with intellectual disabilities (ID) often experience when faced with a visit to the doctor or dentist. We not only serve these athletes, but also train healthcare professionals who then go back to their practices with increased knowledge and compassion for people with ID.
A robust Healthy Athletes program is the foundation for Special Olympics programs to be considered for accreditation as a Healthy Community.
So proud of you Chase! Amazing commitment, keep it up!!
Way to go Chase. Very inspiring.