Student excels at Special Olympics
Published 11:00 am Monday, May 22, 2017
- Submitted PhotoCaison-Lynn McClendon, 7, stands with her teacher Lea Gay. Caison-Lynn McClendon competed in the Special Olympics this year, and Gay accompanied her.
VALDOSTA – Seven-year-old Caison-Lynn McClendon recently spent her days finishing her first-grade classes and enjoying the outdoors.
“She’s an outgoing, loving child,” said Cristal McClendon, her mother.
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In March, Caison-Lynn competed in Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority’s Spring Special Olympics, taking home first place in the 50-meter dash.
Caison-Lynn was diagnosed with hyper autism disorder at the age of 4 but it doesn’t slow her down.
She also competed in standing long jump, baseball hitting and softball throw. Her participation in the Special Olympics marked the first student to represent Georgia Cyber Academy in the event.
Caison-Lynn originally went to a public school in the area but her mother switched her to GCA and feels Caison-Lynn is now excelling.
“She has come so far socially and academically,” McClendon said. “She used to have a lot of meltdowns and it’s come down.”
Caison-Lynn is able to attend classes at home, which teacher Lea Gay said helps eliminate some distractions that arise in a brick-and-mortar school.
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“It’s not for everyone,” Gay said. “It’s something the parent has to also work with.”
Wednesday afternoon, students of GCA gathered in McKey Park to get together and socialize with other kids and their area teachers.
It is the hope of the school that more students such as Caison-Lynn will compete in future Special Olympics competitions within the community.
Desiree Carver is Lifestyles Editor at the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be reached at (229) 375-5777.