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Bonded by love: Special Olympics Illinois athlete Blake Peacock (Team USA hat) and his
brother Tyler teach each other about life and share their love of sports.
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(Reprinted from Spirit magazine, Quarter 2 —2002)
Life lessons can be learned in many ways. Sometimes they're learned in school, sometimes from mom and dad, sometimes on the playing field. And sometimes life lessons are learned from siblings, as in the case of Libertyville, Illinois' 12-year-old Tyler Peacock.
Tyler's brother Blake was born nearly three years earlier with Down syndrome and, according to Tyler, they have formed a tight, loving bond not usually seen among young brothers, no matter the circumstance.
"Having a brother with Down syndrome has taught me to accept and appreciate the differences in people," enthuses Tyler. "Everyone has value. People with disabilities are awesome. I've been around them all my life and I've enjoyed volunteering for Special Olympics since I was eight years old."
And he means what he says. Ever since they were in elementary school, Tyler has acted the older brother, protecting and shielding Blake from unruly tormentors. One particular situation stands out in Tyler's mind when he made some of those tormentors stand up and take notice. The scene was all too familiar. A group of youngsters, who didn't know Blake, was picking on him, and Tyler happened along, unbeknownst to the group that Blake was his brother.
"I told them to cut it out," Tyler says. "Then I told them how cool Blake is, that even though he has Down syndrome he can do a lot of things and is a lot like everybody else. When I told them that he plays in the high school band, does gymnastics, performs in theater productions, is a student helper at church, and on and on, they were amazed."
The amazing Blake continues to astound others as he recently competed in snowshoeing at the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska, USA. The family, including Tyler, showed up to cheer him on. And Blake, a big fan of Tyler's, shows up at Tyler's hockey and baseball games to cheer his little brother on to victory. The boys' mother Becky has even become a coach and is pushing to get a Special Olympics Program started in Libertyville High School, where Blake is a freshman.
Says the boys' father about Tyler: "Through years of experiences with his brother, through both the good and difficult times, Tyler has developed some wonderful characteristics. He is more sensitive to people's needs and feelings, less competitive, always willing to volunteer his time to help, and he's an advocate for people with disabilities."
In Blake, Tyler has gained a healthy outlook on people with disabilities that he'll carry with him for the rest of his life. "We shouldn't label or segregate people just because they look or talk differently. Given the opportunity, people with disabilities can accomplish great things, and we can learn from them too."
Well said, Tyler. |
