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Special Olympians celebrate golden trip
Bruce Matlock photo
Jeffrey Hartmann, Brian Keenan and coach Joe Keenan show off their hardware.
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Published: January 14, 2009
The medals hung proudly from the necks of Jeffrey Hartmann and Brian Keenan.
The two Iredell County men had just returned from a weekend in the Appalachian Mountains as participants in the Special Olympics North Carolina Winter Games. They were among some 30 athletes from throughout the state who competed in the games.
And both came home with the hardware.
"Oh, I had a good time, a good time," said Jeffrey, a 31-year-old with a gregarious and effusive personality. "It was just like Disneyland."
Jeffrey, who is autistic, took home a gold medal in one of the nine skill levels into which the Olympics were categorized. He had improved greatly from his rookie experience last year when he was awarded with a participant's ribbon.
"Oh, yeah, he's gotten better," said Jeffrey's mother, Cindy Hartmann.
To most athletes, the actual competitive component of the Special Olympics is only a small part of it of the experience.
"I think just being in it does a lot for their self-confidence," said Joe Keenan, Brian's brother and the coach of both Iredell athletes. "Plus, these events give them the chance to see their friends."
Brian, 38, has Down syndrome and is as soft-spoken and reserved as Jeffrey is outgoing. He has been competing in a number of different sports since he was in his early 20s. But swimming, he said, "is my favorite."
Brian, who donned a silver medal from his most recent endeavor, has been on the Olympic podium many times.
"I have gold, bronze and silver," he said. "But I like gold the best."
Joe Keenan said Brian picked up the nickname "Tank" during his two days on the ski slopes.
"He just went straight at it and nothing got in his way," Keenan said.
Jeff Hartmann, Jeffrey's father, said Brian's skiing skills were apparent.
"Brian skis more comfortably than he walks," Hartmann said. "He looks very good on skis."
Brian took it all in stride and insisted the only nickname he'll answer to is "Bek," an acronym of his full name.
"Some people called me Tank," he said. "But I'm Bek."
Jeffrey and Brian live with their parents in Statesville and work for LifeSpan Employment in Troutman, which offers jobs to those with various types of disabilities.
Jeffrey said the first person he wanted to show his prize to was LifeSpan "coach," Cody Munday.
"After that, I'll probably hang it up in my bedroom," he said.
The Special Olympics training and competition is open to every person with an intellectual disability.
Keenan said the Statesville Recreation and Parks Department — particularly Program Director Tiffani Tabor — was helpful in getting Jeffrey and Brian into this year's games.
Statesville and Iredell County residents seeking more information on the Special Olympics North Carolina can contact Tabor at (704) 878-3429.
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