Nineteen Year Old Sheridan Coleman Loves Basketball.
And she’s good at it. Her team, “The Lightning Bugs”, has been Illinois state champions for seven years in a row. Although she thrives at basketball, life has brought challenges to Sheridan that many of us cannot begin to understand.
Sheridan, who lives in Carbondale Illinois, has cerebral palsy and speech apraxia. The diagnosis for speech apraxia came for her at two years old. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, speech apraxia is a condition that causes a disconnect between the brain and the muscles of the mouth. Words come to the brain but thoughts don’t always make it out correctly.
Enter The Special Olympics
Zenetta scoured the internet looking for resources to help her daughter thrive. That’s when she came upon the Special Olympics of Southern Illinois. Although Sheridan was not necessarily an athlete, the organization has greatly impacted Sheridan’s life in a most positive way. With Cerebral Palsy, Sheridan experienced stiff muscles and a lack of balance. According to Zenetta, “For years she would drag her leg and it later became a significant gait. But one day in 2016 during a visit to her pediatric neurologist in St Louis we noticed she no longer had it. He attributed it to her possibly playing basketball and her brain having to figure out how to dribble down the court and balancing herself. I, however, called it a miracle.”
Without hesitation, Sheridan jumped into the Special Olympics with both feet. “As an only child she was excited. She has always been friendly, well-mannered and easily makes friends”, Zenetta says.
Sheridan has been involved with the Special Olympics for 11 years now. She plays basketball, softball, boccia ball and she bowls too. The program runs year round and the sports change out seasonally so there is always something to do. Sheridan loves being an athlete but another benefit of the organization is a new circle of friends. “They are my best friends. They make me laugh and crack up,” she says.
That’s very important according to Zenetta who says creating friendships is not always easy for kids with disabilities. “Many of us grew up taking friendship for granted. The slumber parties and birthday parties, that was something that wasn’t happening for her. We looked for a way to really truly get her involved with her own circle of friends with people who were like her. The Special Olympics opened the door and gave us the opportunity to do that.” Now Sheridan has parties and sleepovers and most importantly, friends. Her happiness now shines through social interactions and a healthier lifestyle. Since becoming more active Sheridan has lost 60 pounds putting a two year bout with diabetes in remission.
For years she would drag her leg and it later became a significant gait. But one day in 2016 during a visit to her pediatric neurologist in St Louis we noticed she no longer had it. He attributed it to her possibly playing basketball and her brain having to figure out how to dribble down the court and balancing herself. I, however, called it a miracle
The Special Olympics is also a family affair for the Colemans. Zenetta has been a coach and a parent advocate. She sat on the Family Action Network committee which educates and informs other families about the benefit of the Special Olympics. Sheridan’s grandparents also became certified volunteers.
But Sheridan isn’t just an athlete with the Special Olympics, she has also served as an official representative for the organization. She was the 2018 Duck Derby Ambassador for Southern Illinois. Zenetta recalls, “All the athletes’s names are entered into a drawing at the end of the season. The number of entries was based on the number of ducks they sold. Her name was drawn. This was a real big deal!” It’s easy to spot the Duck Derby when it’s happening. Rivers turn yellow with little rubber ducks racing to the finish line. It’s a big annual fundraiser for the organization benefiting thousands of Illinois athletes, raising money for meals, housing, and medals. Sheridan rode in the parade, and helped promote the event through media appearances. The experience helped Sheridan improve her verbal skills and Zenetta says it shows. “The social part of it, even academic, the public speaking has really shaped her into someone that I am really proud of.”
What’s Next For Sheridan?
So what does the future hold for Sheridan Coleman? A lot. She’s attending a small group day program a few days a week to keep herself socialized and she will compete in boccia ball and bowling soon. The Special Olympics will always play a major part in her life. “Helping others, being always there, forever.” That’s what she envisions. Zenetta says Sheridan’s young age means years of activities to look forward to. As a parent of a younger athlete it’s good to be able to see the possibilities. That keeps us faithful.” They both have a message to anyone looking to be involved in the Special Olympics. Zenetta tells parents not to give up and Sheridan’s advice is simple to anyone thinking of joining. “Don’t be afraid.” And the Special Olympic anthem is a good one. “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” It’s very clear, competition aside, Sheridan is winning.
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