Ready, Set, Go!!

Today Chad participated in the Regional Special Olympics Track Meet held in the Round Valley Dome. His friends encouraged him to go, telling him how much fun he would have. His back has been hurting him, and he is wearing his back support brace under his shirt.
Here's a few of the participants, Terra Merrill, Tyler, Phillip Taylor, Andrew Hamblin....
Phillip is Chad's little buddy He will call and have Chad come over to help him clean, and then he will come help Chad clean. They are also "partners in crime", you'll have to ask Chad about it.
Chad's first event was the 100 yard dash. The boy from Concho that got first was pretty fast! There were about 5 runners and lots of people cheering them on!
I videoed Chad running the race, but I don't think its working on this post. I could tell by the way Chad ran that his back was hurting him. His first silver medal!
His other 'game night' buddy, Allen Ashcroft. He won first place in his heat! He's fast!!
Phillip, Chad & Allen, showing off their medals!


Chad's second event was the running long jump! (Dad trying to give him a little boost!)

He got a first place medal for this event!
Hooray!! He was pretty excited about this!
About noon, everyone went upstairs in the dome and they fed all the kids and people that came to support them a great lunch. Hamburgers, chips, cookies and water! The softball throw was Chad's last event and he did great!!
Another 1st place medal!!
It was a pretty fun day, these kids are special and its wonderful that programs like this exist for them. Everyone gets a medal and they feel really good about their accomplishments!
Two golds and one silver! It was a pretty great day!!

Chad will now got to the STATE SPECIAL OLYMPICS in Mesa the last weekend in April 28-30! We have already made plans to be in New Orleans, but for you kids in Mesa, it would be great if you could support him! They have so much fun, they get to stay in a motel with their friends, swim in the pool, then they put on a great dance for all of them to go to! A fun time for Chad!!