Through their participation in the Special Olympics, two Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center employees have discovered the joys and benefits of being an athlete.
Amanda Oleson has worked at the main campus kitchen as a patient meal assembler for seven years. Even though she didn’t participate in sports when she was younger, Amanda joined Special Olympics four years ago when her social worker urged her to try Special Olympics bowling.
From there, Amanda went on to participate in more Special Olympic sports: bocce ball, softball, basketball, and track and field, where she runs and does the javelin throw.
Highlighting this opportunity for athletes with disabilities is important to Amanda. Not only is it a great way to meet new people, it’s great for “exercise and staying healthy.” She also enjoys traveling around South Dakota, an opportunity she wouldn’t have otherwise. “I liked Spearfish, it’s really pretty,” she said of one of her recent trips.
From East to West Coasts
Tim Schellhouse has worked for Avera for 33 years, currently at the Prairie Center Quarry Cafe as a prep cook and dishwasher. He first joined the Special Olympics at the age of 8 and has always had a love of sports. In fact, when he comes back to visit former coworkers at the main campus, he gives them an update on his favorite team, the Buffalo Bills.
His over 40 years of participating in Special Olympics have allowed him to travel to many places and see amazing things. “My family always supported me 100%, so I tried all the sports.” He’s participated in softball, bowling, basketball, volleyball, power lifting, race walking, downhill skiing, and track. In track, his events were the shot put, 3000-meter run and 1500-meter run.
“I’ve traveled from the east coast to west coast,” Schellhouse mentions. “I was the alternate to going to the Special Olympics, Ireland, for Track and Field in 2007.”
“It’s an opportunity to meet new people and volunteers from other states.” He even got to meet a few famous faces over the years. “I met ‘JR Ewing’ Larry Hagman, from the TV show Dallas in Vermilion and Charlotte Flair in Seattle.”
Coworker Support
Amanda and Tim’s Avera coworkers cheer them on. Hitomi Yoshida, Dietetic Assistant at Avera Behavioral Health Center, has been to several of Amanda’s softball games. “I enjoy watching the games,” says Yoshida. “Amanda and her teammates have a lot of motivation and support each other.” In particular Yoshida enjoyed the great sportsmanship she witnessed on the field. “They respect the other team, too.”
Pictured:
Amanda Oleson at work in Food Services at Avera McKennan.
Tim Schellhouse during a softball game.
