Vernice M. Robinson
August 7, 2013
Reed takes AAU gold
August 13, 2013
The morning sun is just barely awake in south Louisiana’s summer skies when Larose native Sean Adams gets ready to start each day.
He gets out of bed, gets himself dressed and usually enjoys some breakfast.
Sean also spends time each morning thanking God for the gift of life.
“I definitely thank God for that every day,” he said with a smile. “Without God, there would be no me.”
From the morning routine, the 21-year-old gets into a car with his mother Melisa and heads south from Larose to Cut Off.
The purpose of the trip is exercise.
Sean swims from 7-8 a.m. each morning at the Cut Off Youth Center’s pool – a time he cherishes daily because of his love for water.
He is a competitive swimmer – one of the best among people of his age and skill-level. Sean has raced in Louisiana and has ambitions to swim in a huge meet this summer in the Northeast.
All-in-all, everything sounds pretty normal in Sean’s daily routine, right?
That’s all according to plan.
Adams was born with Down syndrome – a genetic disorder that affects 1 in every 691 babes in the United States.
But even while statistically labeled as a “special” young man, Sean said he strives each day to live his life to the fullest – just like anyone else.
The local is one of four Louisiana athletes to be chosen to take part in a swimming training camp coming up this fall in Pineville.
If he is in the top 2 in the group, he will represent Louisiana at the National Special Olympic Games this coming November in New Jersey.
“I’m just letting God use my body to guide my way with my swimming,” Sean said this week following an early morning swim. “I read the Bible every day, and you know what? Hey, this is a temporary life. No one here is promised tomorrow. So I don’t worry about what is against me. I just am doing the best job that I can today – not for tomorrow, but for today.”
‘He doesn’t let his disability limit him’
Sitting along the outskirts of the COYC pool on Friday morning, Melisa Adams watches her son glide graciously through the water.
Sean was born to Melisa and John Adams. He has had Down syndrome since birth – a genetic disorder that affects people throughout the duration of their life.
Those with the disorder experience stunted growth, mild mental retardation and other physical abnormalities.
Sean, too, has all of the most common traits associated with the disorder.
But Melisa Adams said that her son has never been one that has willingly taken no for an answer.
She said that from the earliest years of his life, Sean has powered through obstacles in an attempt to live as normally as possible.
“He doesn’t let his Down syndrome limit him in what he can do with his life,” Melisa said. “He volunteers at the Larose Lower Elementary and he helps in the library or wherever they need him on that day. He also helps out at the grocery store here in town. He wrote a book that we are waiting to get published for him. … My son just doesn’t let his disability limit him. We’re very proud of him.”
When one asks Sean where he generates all of his motivation for living, the young man said he points to God.
Sean said his faith is the predominant thing that steers him toward positivity each day.
“I just let Him guide me in the right direction,” he said.
Sean’s swimming coach Meagan Danos said that positive energy and faith is an inspiration in many people’s lives – including her own.
“He keeps me going,” Danos said. “I’m not a morning person, but he is always here and he always is excited and he always wants to be here. Being around someone like that really allows me to enjoy what I do. … He’s awesome – so much fun to be around.”
Others have taken note of the young man’s positivity, as well.
Sean was recently awarded with the prestigious Dan Piper Award – an award that is given annually to one person (18 or over) with Down syndrome who overcomes the disorder and serves as a positive role model in the community.
The Dan Piper Award is a national award. Sean will be in New York on Sept. 21 to accept the award and to give a speech in Central Park.
“That is such an honor,” Sean said, seemingly still awestruck.“I am so blessed to be the one chosen.”
“He was so excited,” Melisa added with a huge, beaming smile. “Sean was so flattered to be the one that they selected to win that award.”
‘I feel free when I am in the water’
“He had swimming lessons as a kid, and would always swim in the pool for fun,” Melisa said when asked about Sean’s swimming career. “My son has always loved swimming.”
That he does – it’s one of the biggest passions of his life.
The young swimmer said that he is “in heaven” when in the water. Sean said that the sport gives him an immense feeling of pride because his training regimen is like that of one that would be done by a “normal” person.
“Oh, I just love everything about it,” Sean said. “I feel free when I am in the water. I love to swim. Being in the pool every day makes me feel so good.”
Because of Sean’s love for the water, he started to treat his hobby competitively. He got involved in the Special Olympics in 2012.
During that time, he started training with Danos at the COYC pool.
“She helped him get on track with his strokes and his endurance and stamina,” Melisa said. “She’s been great to us.”
Sean got involved while competing with the Bayouland Special Athletes out of Houma.
He immediately found success and was a solid swimmer who routinely finished well at his races.
“He did OK,” Melisa said. “He had a couple of first and a couple of seconds and thirds. … He’s very good at swimming. This sport just comes naturally to him. But my son is also very humble, so it’s not always about the awards or being able to win. He just looks at this as a gift he has from God, so he uses it and he enjoys it.”
“He’s a talented, talented swimmer,” Danos added. “He works hard and hard work usually pays off. He is definitely very good at what he does – that’s very easy for anyone to see.”
This coming November, Sean may be able to compete in his biggest meet yet – he has a chance to represent all of Louisiana in the pool.
New Jersey is just 1 meet away
Following the end of his first year as a Special Olympic athlete, Melisa Adams said that her son was invited to a training camp for the National Special Olympic Games.
He and three other males will compete in Pineville for a chance to make the team.
If he does, he will represent Louisiana at the National Special Olympics in New Jersey.
“He’s very pumped up,” Melisa said with a laugh. “He wants to make the team.”
So it is for that reason that Sean is in the pool on this Friday as the clock grinds from 7 a.m. to 7:30 on this particular day.
A handful of folks are in the pool as he does his routine. They offer encouragements along the way.
“Our community has been so supportive,” Melisa said. “They have never made my son feel like he was different in any way.”
But while Sean accepts their compliments with a smile, his main focus is on the pool and progressing his skills.
Sean is a solid freestyle swimmer. He also is skilled in the butterfly. His coach ribs him throughout the workout to work on his backstroke – his least favorite stroke.
He does all of the work promptly and without complaint.
Sean wants to make the team and he knows that hard work will get him there.
That’s just the way he was raised by his parents who never let him accept anything different than a normal life.
“We don’t want him to adhere to what people do there – we want him to do his best,” Melisa said. “Whether it’s in the pool, in a reading program or whatever it is – we want him to do the best that he can do. … We raise him like we would any other child. We don’t want Sean to strive for the least – we want him to push to do the most that he can do.”
“I have challenges,” Sean added. “But in life you keep going. If you are working and you get tired, you can’t just quit. You have to keep going and finish the job.
“My advice to anyone would just be this: ‘Follow your dreams.’ If you do that, God will help you through it. If you do that and work hard, everything will be OK.”
Local swimmer Sean Adams poses for the camera at the Cut Off Youth Center pool. Adams, who was born with Down syndrome, said he thanks God for his ability to swim at a high level. Adams is going to try and qualify to represent Team Louisiana at the National Special Olympics later this fall. If he does, he will represent the state at the meet in New Jersey.
