NOTE: This profile is part of a weekly series intended to show the hearts and guts of Special Olympics West Hawaii participants. It is also a chance to get to know each other better. Readers will hopefully gain a better appreciation and knowledge of what each athlete, coach, volunteer, family member, friend or supporter brings to the organization. Enjoy!
Name: Quentin Wong
Age: 17
Hometown: Kailua-Kona
What sports and activities do you participate in with Special Olympics West Hawaii?
My winter sport is bowling. This Spring, I’m training in two sports I’ve never tried before: softball and track & field.
What activity do you like most and why?
Right now, I’m having fun learning to play softball. It’s not so easy. There is a lot to learn!
What have you learned through SOWH or gained from being part of a team?
I have learned that it’s a good place to make new friends. My family has always enjoyed bowling together and with unified bowling, we could still be a team! We practiced and competed with other West Hawaii teams and I made a lot of new friends.
Why did you join SOWH?
Other people thought I was a pretty good bowler and they encouraged me to join.
How long have you been with SOWH?
I have been an SOWH athlete since 2003.
What is the best part about participating with Special Olympics?
I like to be active and competitive. I always do my best. I especially enjoy doing sports with friends.
Do you have any hobbies or activities that you like to do during your free time?
I like Disney movies. Some favorites are Jungle Book and The Lion King. I like Jurassic Park too. I draw and trace characters from movies. I collect action figures. I love going to the beach, swimming, cookouts, getting together with family and friends.
Share an accomplishment — something you’re proud of.
In 2007, I was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. But it’s in remission now.
What goal do you hope to accomplish in 2009?
I want very much to become a good softball player.
Favorite pitch, swim stroke or sports technique/move? Why?
I am playing softball for the first time in my life. Right now I’m busy learning all the basics, but I do like batting a lot. I like slow pitches. I think I can be a really good hitter if I practice enough.
Additional remarks from family members:
Quentin is easy going and takes everything life throws at him in stride. His bout with cancer was very tough, but since he is better and able to get back out doing the things he enjoys. It almost seems he has forgotten about his illness. He is just busy living each day to the fullest.
Quentin and his twin brother Isaiah are first and foremost typical teenage boys that possessed of an amazing amount of energy and enthusiasm for life. They like to spend time with friends. They get bored when they get stuck waiting with nothing interesting to do. They are strong, athletic, very competitive (especially with one another) and love sports of all kinds.
Notes from long-time SOWH volunteer Nikki Cleintuar:
If you ask Quentin and Isaiah what it is like being twins, they might wonder: “Twins? As compared to what?” Being twins, along with all the joys and challenges that come with it, is simply a fact of life to them.
Having autism is another fact of life for these boys, but if it imposes any limitations upon their lives, they (with excellent support from their close knit, loving family) find alternative solutions and get on with the business of life.
For example, both boys are non-verbal but have good receptive language. They began learning sign language at an early age and communicate fluently with others who know how to sign, but for everyone else, they are good at writing notes or using assistive technology – a handheld computer that “speaks” messages they’ve typed on the keyboard. Their grandfather reports that they are becoming really fast typists!
