Special olympian wins medals, wins medals and wins medals

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    By Robert Thompson

    There are few Olympians who have earned so many medals they can’t remember the exact number they have won.

    The hard work and honor behind just one medal is something to be proud of.

    But ask Michelle Raynes of Orem how many she’s received from competing in the Special Olympics, and she will give a rough estimate.

    “It might be 68, I think. Or 70. I don’t know. Somewhere between 68 and 70,” Michelle said.

    It’s not that the medals don’t mean as much to her as they would to someone else.

    It’s just that she has so many. Eighty-four to be exact.

    Michelle, 27, has been competing in the Special Olympics since 1984 when she participated in area games.

    Since then, her attitude toward the Special Olympic Games has been nothing but positive.

    “I love sports,” Michelle said. “I’ve been doing it for years.”

    Michelle’s Special Olympic experience is greatly a result of an adaptive physical education program that she was involved in at Lakeridge Junior High School.

    Michelle’s teacher, Glenna Padfield, trained the students in gymnastics, soccer, cross country skiing and other sports.

    “She took all these children and taught them all these different sports and entered them in every Special Olympics competition that was available,” said Michelle’s mother, Alice Raynes.

    The training and experience that Michelle received throughout junior high school helped her continue her enthusiasm about the games after she became an independent Special Olympic athlete in high school.

    “It was excellent,” Alice said. “I didn’t have enough knowledge or confidence or understanding to (help Michelle) without what Glenna did.”

    Michelle also had the determination to stick with competing in the games even after the training in junior high was over.

    Although some of Michelle’s friends stopped participating in the games, Michelle didn’t want to stop.

    “I thought ‘No way, I’m never quitting,'” she said.

    Michelle continues to compete in the bowling, swimming, physical fitness and speed-walking portions of the Special Olympic Games.

    For Michelle’s parents and siblings, participation in the Special Olympics is a family affair.

    “It is a family thing. All the kids are involved in it. They all help with her times and trials,” Alice said.

    “Sometimes I just don’t have time to take Michelle and the kids will go out and time her,” Alice said.

    And Raynes family says the great experiences they have with the Special Olympics are well worth the effort.

    “No one has ever gone away without feeling good about it,” Alice said.

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