Rod Ohira's People
Medals won, shared from the heart

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

A bronze medal from Suzanne Lee of Kane'ohe is among dozens of gold medals from Special Olympics Hawai'i athletes being sent to workers and families of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York.

Mehie Woore, Cody Santiago, Jolyn Imoto and Jonathan Lyons (standing), display the medals they're sending to rescue workers and victims' families in New York. "We worked hard for (the medals); the rescue people working hard, too," Jonathan said. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Suzanne, who celebrates her 26th birthday on Nov. 20, does not know much detail about what happened on Sept. 11. In writing her daughter's message, Deanna Lee, expressed what she felt Suzanne would want the recipient to know.

"She understands the concept of sharing," the mother said. "The medal means so much to her. It's a testament to an achievement she worked hard for. Suzie might not know the difference between gold, silver and bronze medals but she does know the difference between a medal and a ribbon.

"When I asked Suzie if I could give one of her medals and she agreed, I knew she was sharing something that's very precious. It's just a small gesture but Suzie understands that we're doing it to help people in New York, to let them know we're thinking about them."

Hawai'i will be sending its 62 "medals for heroes" this week to a Community Health Charities' national collection base in Stamford, Conn., said Nancy Botelho, president and chief executive officer of Special Olympics Hawai'i. A presentation ceremony is planned for January.

"Twenty-seven police officers who died in New York had been associated with the Torch Run (the annual kickoff event for Special Olympics) and we wanted to do something in their memory," Botelho said. "Everyone wants to do something to make things better. This is our way to show that our athletes care."

It's important to understand that within Special Olympics, the athletes were not pressured by parents or coaches to give up their medals.

"At the highest functioning levels, we might be talking to someone functioning at 8 or 9 years old," Deanna Lee said. "For Suzie, it's more like 5 years old. But at her age, teaching social skills is important. Sharing is part of that."

Jonathan Lyons, 17; Cody Santiago, 16; Jolyn Imoto, 17; and Mehie Woore, 19, of the Ho'okela Special Olympics team based at Roosevelt High are among those donating gold medals.

"We worked hard for (the medals); the rescue people working hard, too," Jonathan said. "They all winners."

Cody, who has a part-time job on Saturdays that makes it hard for him to practice for Special Olympics, is donating a gold medal he won last year in speed skating. Next to a PlayStation video game, the medal is his most cherished possession.

"It's hard," Cody said of his decision to part with the medal. "I feel proud (of the medal). I want them to feel proud."

In a message that accompanies the two gold medals she's donating, Jolyn wrote, "You deserve this medal for the job you do. You are my heroes.

"Practice is hard work," Jolyn said of the eight weeks of training for Special Olympics. "They working more hard. Nobody giving them medals for winning."

Mehie knows there are people in New York who are heroes for what they're doing. She has many medals and all are precious to her.

"I love the medals so much," Mehie said. "My best is gold."

Looking at the two gold medals that she's giving up, Mehie dropped her eyes in sadness. "I want to keep them," she said.

Her coach, Alan "Doc" Shamoto, and Botelho were surprised by the change of heart. But someone said, "It's OK."

A short time later, with no persuasion from anyone, Mehie said she'd probably donate the medals.

The sharing and the can-do attitude are what heroes are made of, both here and in New York.

Reach Rod Ohira at 535-8181or rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.