With a stethoscope, Physician Assistant Jamaine Thomas listened to the heartbeats of students at the Bellamy Recreation Center in Clinton.
He also asked them to move their heads before examining their knees as they sat on a table. With each examination, physicians from Huff Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine were happy to make sure students were ready for Sampson County’s Special Olympics.
“It’s a good experience and I don’t mind helping out,” Thomas said. “We want to make sure their health OK for them to have fun.”
Each year, hundreds of athletes from Sampson County participate in the spring games for Special Olympics. This year, the event is being held at Midway High School (MHS). Dr. W. Alexander Huff closed his office Friday to provide free physicals, which are required before the big day.
“It’s a wonderful way to provide community service and that’s what we’re here for,” Huff said. “I’ve been blessed to be in Clinton for over 21 years and I wouldn’t have a business if it weren’t for the community support, so I want to show my appreciation for the support I’ve been given.”
Close to 200 students from the Clinton and Sampson County school districts received checkups to make sure its OK for them to get involved with Special Olympics. The mission of Special Olympics is to provide athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
“We’re going to be checking their heart, their lungs and their extremities to make sure there’s nothing that would be a contraindication to participation,” Huff said. “But mostly, it’s about having fun with these kids.”
Along with smiles from the physicians, the students took home T-shirts provided by the office. Appreciation was also shown by students at teachers with handmade notes. While taking pictures, Huff smiled while holding up a note that read “Dr Huff and staff, there’s no doubt about it, you are our true champions.”
“It’s makes me proud to be a (Sampsonian) and from Clinton because I think it’s wonderful that the state is going to come together with these special needs children from Midway High School,” Huff said. “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity.”
Members from the Champions program assisted the physicians during the process. The organization host meetings and field trips throughout the year and celebrates the success of students who have either a physical or mental disability. Dawn Bass, a MHS educator and Champion board member, appreciates the thoughtfulness shown to children who aren’t able to get physicals outside of school because of time or financial matters.
“Special Olympics is my heart,” said Bass, a therapeutic support specialists for students. “It’s such a good opportunity for these kids to have something to do, and to shine, and to show people what they can do. A lot of times they get overlooked.”
Janelle Cochran, a coordinator for the Champions program, felt the same way and expressed how the staff’s visit to the center was a good opportunity. During previous years, students have went on to the state level.
“Usually our kids participate in Special Olympics, but it’s a struggle to get the physicals done,” she said. “This is a way for everyone to get their physicals done all at the same and have all of that paperwork done so the schools wouldn’t have to.”
Rella Janoski, office manager for Huff Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, said the day and trip away from the office was all about the kids.
“It’s what we can do to give back,” Janoski said. “All it takes is one person, one group, to make a difference. If everyone gave back, the world would be a much greater place.”
