Jennifer Mary Hoover

...lives and enjoys life in West Lafayette, Indiana -- home of Purdue University.  "I have a good job and keep busy with Special Olympics, ALPS, The ARC, and Aktion Club activities.

On April 6th I went to see BARRY MANILOW in Ohio.  It was the best concert I have ever been to."


About Me 
Work:  Super Target in Lafayette full-time

I Swim and Bowl with the Special Olympics.  I someday want to become a Special Olympics Swim coach.  I am in ALPs (Athlete Leadership Program) in the Special Olympics. I give my input on how to make Special Olympics better. I am a Master Swimming. I have tried out for the past Paralympics, but did not have the chance. Maybe in 2008 I will have a chance. When I'm not working or sleeping I like to Swim at the YMCA. Go to Movies, play Music, surf the net, hang out with friends (not that I have that many). Most of all, I would like all people like me to be accepted as who we are. Not, what we are.  “We are all the same in God’s eye’s.” You never will know who you might miss if you judge then for what they are. Not, who they are.

I get so mad when I hear the word "Retarded". Are not we all the same in God's eyes? Even if we might have the slightest differences in other people's eyes. I want others to know that "Even Mentally Handicapped people though they might look different are all still the same as you" today. If we all pitch in today, tomorrow might be a better day for all of us.

They call people like me "Mentally Handicapped".  But as another put it in sport's terms, "I believe the politically correct description for this subject probably would be, "Athletically Challenged." No matter how you identify or define this subject, the fact remains that some either from birth or by misfortune of an accident, have had to learn to do even the most simple of tasks in the daily routine of survival, with limited capacity. Being what I consider a informed individual, I began researching the subject of disabilities and sports and how the two are related. I was mildly surprised when I started researching this to find the variety of sporting activities, available to those who, with a little time a lot of hard work and desire, can excel at whatever level they want."

I  first became involved with Gail Dummer and a DSO organization with the 1996 Paralympic swim trials in Indianapolis. I ended up being named an alternate on the US Paralympic Swim Team for 1996.  I did not go to Atlanta, but was thrilled with the opportunity and experience.  I participated in a DSO swim camp at US Olympics headquarters in Colorado in 1997.

I have been swimming since pre-school years and started with Special Olympics at the age of 10. I  was awarded the opportunity to compete in the Special Olympics World Games the summer of 1999  in North Carolina. I brought home a silver and a bronze medal. I have been a USS member on a local age-group swim team (for 5-6 years) and am now a US Masters team member swimming at a local YMCA. I hope to participate in the 2008, 2012 Paralympic Swim Trials if they take place in Indianapolis.


Friends & Family 
Sister (Monica) -- Graduated from Ball State and just finished her third year of teaching in the Dominican Republic. Monica now will be teaching in the North Montgomery School System in Indiana.
Me (Jennifer) -- I attended Ivy Tech State Community College of Indiana right after High School. Now, just work, swim, and do Sports with Special Olympics.
Brother (Sam) -- is working at Arby's and out to discover himself.
Mom (Peggy) -- works at Purdue.
Dad (Bill) -- is a Professor at Purdue University in Forest Economics.

In the Special Olympics I have lots of friends.  Bryan B and I sometimes go to the Movies with other SO friends. 

I wish I had friends that I could hang out with -- not just my Special Olympics friends that I only see during the sports season.
 

Greater Lafayette Blogger: Jennifer Hoover ~
from the Lafayette Journal & Courier

My Own Poetry by Jennifer Hoover

Jennifer's pages:  1  |  2  |   Jennifer's Writings; More, Page 2  |pic1  |  pic2

Jennifer!