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A day of champions
By Tiffany GreenRelated Photos
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Tyler Branon, left, is congratulated after competing in the standing long jump Thursday morning at the Day of Champions at Wallace State Community College. Tiffany Green
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Add a comment on this storyHANCEVILLE — For more than 200 Cullman County citizens with disabilities, Thursday was a day they looked forward to for a long time.
“Eric loves it,” Burma Graves said of her son. “He loves the competition and the big events. He runs and practices for the events.”
Graves said Eric even trains for this day.
“We have been spending four days of the week at the gym getting ready for this,” she said smiling.
The special needs students and individuals participated in the Day of Champions at the Wallace State Community College, competing in events such as the ball drop, 20-yard dash and the soccer ball kick.
Cullman County Center for the Developmentally Disabled (CCCDD) Program Coordinator Tina Corbin organizes the event every year.
“They (CCCDD clients) have been talking about it for weeks,” Corbin said. “It has really become a community event.”
Many local civic clubs and school organizations help with the event.
Tyler Perkins with the Holly Pond Key Club helped for the first time. Tyler was 11-year-old Justin Clark’s buddy for the day.
“I think it’s a good thing and I’m enjoying it,” Tyler said.
Judy Clark, Justin’s mom said he was enjoying the day as well.
“Oh, gosh, yes, he loves it,” she said. “He loves being around people.”
Justin was scheduled to compete in the wheelchair race.
Joan Miller brings her daughter each year to the event.
“She has so much fun out here and she likes hanging out with her buddies,” Miller said. “It means a lot to see them give all they’ve got. And it means a lot to the buddies to give a lot of love and compassion.”
Miller’s 35-year-old daughter Regina ‘Flash,’ as she is known to her teammates because of her speed, competed in the ball throw and the long jump.
“They just get so hyped for this,” Miller said.
Terry McGill, director of the CCCDD, said the participants have a great time.
“This is the special event of the year,” McGill said. “All the students come together and it’s for anyone in Cullman County with a disability who wants to participate.”
McGill said it is not only fun for the special needs students, but also for the buddies, or helpers.
“This really helps the young people work with and understand the participants,” he said.
McGill said everyone that participants is a winner and receives a medal or ribbon.
Stacey Brunner, Wallace State psychology instructor, helps coordinate the event.
“We started participating a few years ago and it keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Brunner said.
Brunner said the event gives her students some hands-on experience.
“It helps our students have a clinical experience here on the field,” she said. “The ages range from five to 65. It is just a growing community event.”
This was the second year for the event to include all city and county schools.
Corbin said without the many sponsors this day would not be possible.
‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
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