Brad Ross, 24, is extremely involved
with Special Olympics Baltimore County. He started with Special
Olympics Baltimore County at the age of 8 years old. These days Brad is
a three sport athlete training and competing in Soccer, Basketball and
Track & Field. Some say that Brad has been competing and winning
ever since birth. "Brad was ill from 1 month of age." said Jill Ross,
Brad's mother. "He had four surgeries his first year and was 'slow' or
'floppy' as an infant. We knew pretty much from the beginning that he
had special needs."
Over the past 20 years Brad has spent
time at both Kennedy Krieger and John Hopkins. During his visits at
both institutions various Genetics Specialist have tried to label
Brad's disability, as many as ten times. To this day there is still no
label for his disability. Jill Ross mentioned that "About 2/3rds of
people with disabilities will never know exactly what syndrome they
have. We call his the 'Brad Ross Syndrome'.".
Despite Brad's disability he has
continued to excel in life. At the age of 20 Brad became an Eagle
Scout. To earn the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in
Scouting, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of
leadership, service, and outdoor skills. Only 5% of all scouts achieve
this ranking. Jill and Chris Ross have been proud of many things their
son has achieved in life, but this is the achievement they are most
proud of, "Besides an Eagle Project, he had to finish 21 merit badges,
be in a leadership role and do a lot of camping. He then had to give a
speech in front of 300 people when he accepted his award.".
Between all of the training and
competing that Brad does, in Special Olympics, who would think that he
would have time for a full time job. Brad works full-time with
full-benefits, as a mail clerk, for Becton-Dickinson a medical supply
company in Sparks, MD. During his free time Brad can be found at a
local movie theatre, in front of the TV, camping, or at a game rooting
on his favorite team, the Baltimore Ravens. Brad's favorite sport is
football.
Since he was young a few things have
been consistent in Brad's life. Two of those things are the support and
love that he has received from family, friends, co-workers, and the
families and athletes of Special Olympics. "Brad has always loved
Special Olympics.", said Jill Ross. The programs and the atmosphere of
Special Olympics gives Brad a chance to socialize with other athletes,
coaches, and volunteers. In addition, by participating in training and
competition Brad learns team play, exercise and rules. All are
important in helping him, and other athletes, develop skills for life.
