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| Mason Coad, 16, will be one of the youngest swimmers for Team USA when he participates in the Special Olympics in Greece beginning on June 25. |
When Mason Coad first came to the Beaverton Swim Center in 2003, the little boy gripped the railing at the steps leading into the pool and screamed.
His mother, Mia, didn’t know what to do. Her 8-year-old son was autistic and clearly frightened.
“It was terrible,” she said. “I was at the point where I almost took him home.”
That’s when Sharron Patapoff, the facility’s supervisor, calmed the waters.
“Sharron told me, ‘It’s OK … just go outside for about 30 minutes and come back,” Mia said. “It was one of the toughest things I ever did.”
Eight years later, Mason is preparing to participate in the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece. He is one of only two swimmers from Oregon to qualify for the event. The 16-year-old is one of the youngest swimmers out of more than 300 Americans who will be competing with Team USA when the Olympics begin June 25.
His story is one of remarkable courage by a little boy once afraid to even touch the water. It’s a story of remarkable love by a mother and a family, determined to give Mason the best life he could have. Finally, it’s a story of remarkable dedication by Sharron Patapoff and the staff and coaches at the Beaverton Swim Center who have worked with Mason over the years as part of THPRD’s swim program for developmentally disabled children and adults.
Today, Mason knifes into the water with confidence. He is an accomplished swimmer, with a number of regional Special Olympic gold medals to his credit. Particularly skilled in distance races, he can swim for hours at a time. He practices six days a week, much of the time at the swim center where his journey began.
“It’s a real tribute to his Mom,” says Patapoff. “She’s really remarkable with how she’s encouraged him and how well he has adjusted.”
Mia returns the compliment.
“None of this would have happened without Sharron, without his coaches here, and without everyone at Beaverton Swim Center who have helped him and welcomed him,” she said.
“Sharron is a tremendous person, and the swim program for people with disabilities is incredibly important,” Mia added. “What it accomplishes in the lives of these kids and their families is vital.”
Along with Patapoff, Mia gives special credit to his coaches, Jeffrey Crews and David Crippen, who mentored Mason most of the past eight years.
“They have been great,” Mia said. “They know what they’re talking about, and Mason trusts them. He loves to swim. He does exactly what they ask, and the relationship he’s developed with them is wonderful.”
While Mason is very social, he is limited verbally. But he lights up when discussing the topic of his upcoming Olympic journey.
“I am so, so excited to travel to Athens, Greece,” Mason says with a huge grin as he runs his fingers through his mother’s ponytail. “I am so excited.”
“He is very excited,” Mia said, reflecting her son’s smile. “For a child with autism, this is such a huge step.”
It is such a big step that Mason was required to participate in a week-long training camp for U.S. team members in San Diego this past March. He had to attend the camp without the aid of family members to see if he could handle being away from the familiar environment of home.
He passed with flying colors.
“I was a nervous wreck … I couldn’t sleep” Mia said. “But the coach who was assigned to look out for him said he did outstanding. When she called me and told me that, it was wonderful.”
While seven family members will travel to Greece to support Mason, he will be housed separately with the rest of the athletes.
“I’m not worried about that anymore at all,” Mia said. “It’s a huge weight lifted. I think he’s going to have a wonderful time.”
Mason’s father, Michael, is a Beaverton attorney. His 19-year-old brother, William, is a Portland State University student. Both are ardent supporters.
“Mason came to Beaverton Swim Center because his Dad likes to sail and he wanted Mason to be able to swim,” Mia said. “And William has been there every step of the way. He taught Mason how to play piano. He took swimming lessons with him just to be there for him. He’s a very loving, very caring older brother.”
Mia said there were times of discouragement. Some parents may have been nervous having their children around Mason.
“However, we did meet so many people who were very supportive,” she said. “And once people get to know Mason, they love him. He’s so outgoing and friendly, it’s hard not to.”
Mia has a parting message for anyone who is facing or has a family member facing a disability.
“There is nothing you can’t accomplish if you work at it,” she said. “There were times where I was very, very down. But if you keep trying, if you keep working at it, there’s nothing you can’t do, no place that you cannot go.”
Even Athens, Greece.
