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#PlayUnified is the heartbeat behind Special Olympics in Arizona, as Coaches Loren and Anna Merrill, both teachers with Snowflake Unified School District (SUSD), work to integrate kids without disabilities to work and play alongside kids with disabilities on school-based or community-based team that competes in the Special Olympics Unified (SOU).
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When Anna and Loren started their family, they never dreamed that three of their six children would be diagnosed with a rare neuro-degenerative disease that causes several side effects, specifically Cerebral Palsy. But that reality set them on a path that over the years has evolved into the #playunified movement.
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“My husband and I were athletes and coaches as well as teachers and parents. We are determined to make a difference for our kids and for others,” said Anna, who also noted, “We have coached for years in Snowflake and Holbrook, as well as soccer, basketball and swimming high schools all over Arizona.”
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Ten years ago, the Special Olympics (SO) Committee in Arizona asked the Merrill’s to coach their sports events.
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“At that time, we kind of said no to them,” shared Anna. “It wasn’t that we didn’t love and appreciate Special Olympics, we were just against the self-contained aspect that allowed only the disabled to participate. Loren and I believe that inclusiveness is the key to the success of all the kids. There should be no lines drawn, no segregation.”
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Four years later, the SO committee returned, this time asking the Merrill’s to start the #playunified movement, resulting in the classification of athletes and partners.
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“All of the committees have worked together to create this and we have pioneered this movement in Arizona,” Anna said. “Some people are still scared of it and struggle with what they see as an ‘invasion.’ But the relationships it has created have been wonderful.”
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Nancy Ruffell, a teacher with SUSD, said that partners are the teammates without disabilities that participate in team sports and relays alongside the athletes, which have the disabilities.
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Nancy’s two girls, Elizabeth Ruffell, a senior at Snowflake High School (SHS), and Emma Ruffell, a sophomore, both athletes in the SOU, agree that having partners is a chance to get more friends. To which, Charlotte Merrill, Anna’s daughter and a freshman at SHS, chimed in, “It’s lots and lots of fun to have a partner.”
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“We have to go out and find our partners. It helps us to learn to ask them to be a part of something with us,” said Elizabeth, who is planning on becoming a preschool aide with Taylor Elementary School after she graduates this year and loves to compete in individual running events as well as relay races.
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“This is Emma’s third year to compete,” Nancy shared, “Last year Emma won the 200-yard dash at state and this year she took first place in the 400-yard dash at the regional event.”
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Anna further noted that Emma took first in both an individual race and relay at state this year and is working towards nationals in 2022.
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From swimming and track to basketball and cheer, the only rule required of the athletes and partners is that there are equal numbers of both in the team events.
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The #playunified movement is creating new friendships, new understanding and a new social norm. “It helps people to understand that every child and person brings something to the table,” said Anna.
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Nancy agreed when she said her daughters have had a chance to meet more people and gain more confidence through this process.
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Charlotte said her favorite thing about the SOU is basketball. “I made my first basket the other day at regionals during a game. I like to run a little bit, but not a lot.” When not practicing on the courts or learning in school, Charlotte said she loves to work on puzzles and draw.
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As one of the oldest Special Olympic participants in the White Mountains, Desiree Scholin, 57, who lives east of Snowflake, said she is known as the lady who walks everywhere.
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Born in the early 1960s, Desiree was malnourished as a baby resulting in brain trauma that prevented her from being able to read, write, count change or tell time on an analog watch.
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“When I went to school, they labeled me as retarded and stuck me in the physical handicap school in Phoenix. The only regular class I went to was physical education,” said Desiree.
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Special Olympics began in 1968 and by the time Desiree entered junior high, she was a regular at the events mostly participating in running and swimming.
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After she graduated high school Desiree married Tim Scholin and had four children. But even throughout all those years, she continued to compete.
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One of the high points of Desiree’s life was when she qualified to compete in the 1995 Special Olympics World Games in New Haven, Conn., where she placed first in swimming. In her words, “I won a lot of ribbons and a medal.”
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Today, Desiree and Tim live east of Snowflake, and even though their kids have grown and moved on, the Special Olympics is still something Desiree trains for and participates in.
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“Back in junior high, I loved to run but it was mostly swimming then,” said Desiree. “My husband has always been very supportive. Now I do baseball (throw) and relay race with a partner.”
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When asked if there was one thing she could change or add to her life, Desiree thought for a moment, “I want to learn how to read; to be able to read a book like everyone else. I love kids’ books.”
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As part of making Desiree’s wish come true, Anna, who is a reading specialist, has been tutoring Desiree an hour before practice. “Desiree is already making progress,” said Anna.
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In the White Mountains, SOU offers athletes and partners chances to compete throughout the year. Anna noted that swimming is in August.
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“We do cheer and basketball from January to March with track from March through May. And we can always use more volunteers to help,” Anna continued. “All kids are welcome to join the team, we are also adding Bocce and Volleyball Unified to the coming seasons. It catches kids that fall through the cracks.”
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Anna also shared that Charlotte is an inspirational speaker and brings awareness to rare diseases and disorders.
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“She actually travels throughout the United States motivating others. She’s been on TV, radio, as well as an ambassador/speaker for Make A Wish Foundation, Special Olympics Unified and TGen Foundation. Her biggest crowd was at the Anaheim Convention Center in front of 6,000 people. She is turning her speeches into children’s books to help bring awareness,” Anna said.
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Facing the world and her disability head on, Charlotte’s favorite introductions are, “Let’s be friends,” and “Ask me about my crutches!”
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