THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 6, 1994 TAG: 9411030183
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Long : 110 lines
Talk to Channing Skinner for a few minutes, and you'll soon discover his favorite words.
How are you doing, Channing? ``All right.''
How does it feel when you're riding a horse? ``All right.''
How does it feel to be going to the International Special Olympics next summer? ``All right.''
But the 16-year-old's skills while riding a beautiful, gentle quarterhorse named Slip have been better than all right. They've been exceptional.
Channing is mildly autistic and has risen within the world of Special Olympics equestrian to earn an entry in next July's international competition in Connecticut.
Begun nationwide 26 years ago by Eunice Shriver, Special Olympics highlights the physical accomplishments of the mentally disabled. Best known for its track and field events, the athletic competition also includes riding, bowling, ice skating, basketball, snow skiing, swimming and many others.
The Elizabeth City teenager will compete with hundreds of others from around the world in trail, western equestrian and, possibly, showmanship next summer.
``I'm nervous,'' he said of his plans to compete in Connecticut, without Slip or his coaches for the past five years, Debbie Owens and her daughter Renae.
Owens, of Hertford, was not one of the two coaches selected to go, but she and several other local Special Olympics volunteers and officials are planning to attend to cheer on Channing, who will ride a horse provided by the sponsors.
Under Owens' guidance and the help of an adaptive physical education program co-sponsored by the Pasquotank County public schools and county 4-H program, Channing has blossomed as an equestrian.
``He used to be sillier. He's taking it more seriously now,'' Owens said.
Other people who have worked with Channing have also noticed the personal transformation that has accompanied his athletic accomplishements.
``We're just really proud of him. He's come a long way,'' said Lynn Jones, a special education teacher at Pasquotank Elementary School who has worked with Channing since he was 5.
Jones also is the coordinator of the local Special Olympics unit and said Channing's selection at the state games last month in Fayetteville resulted from a drawing.
But, she added, all the names for consideration were of the highest caliber and came recommended by the local units.
``We picked Channing this year because he's been an equestrian for the past five years, he's competed at the state level, and he's won gold medals in the past,'' Jones said.
His advancement within the Special Olympics program has ``really improved his social behavior and his behavior all together,'' Jones said.
One noticeable change has been in Channing's graduation to the Northeastern High School transition program, designed to provide life skills to the developmentally disabled.
During his infancy, Channing developed autism, a mental disorder characterized by withdrawal, inability to interact socially, repetitive behavior and language dysfunction.
``He's come out so much, and he has matured,'' said Pat Shepherd, a 4-H agent and the head equestrian coach with the therapeutic riding program within an adaptive physical education plan taught by Nancy Harris.
The Adaptive Physical Education Community Day, established in 1988, takes special education students into the community once a week to utilize the area's resources. Among them is horseback riding.
``Our Special Olympics program is probably one of the best in the state, and her program is a contributing factor in that,'' Shepherd said. ``It's really done a lot to improve the quality of our program.''
Of Channing, Shepherd added, ``He has a natural seat for horse riding. He's a very athletic child, and he's been good in all sports he's done.''
In addition to horses, Skinner also participates in basketball, volleyball and soccer.
But it becomes obvious once he's tall in the saddle just where his passion - and talent - lies.
So accustomed is he to winning the gold, that when he recently moved up to the B Division and received a 2nd place, he told his coach, ``I didn't do so good, did I?''
But really Channing is doing quite well in every aspect of his life. Once unable to socialize well or pay attention in school, he now makes high grades and has a paying job at the high school cafeteria.
Come next summer, he'll also realize a longtime goal of following in the footsteps of another international Special Olympian, Mike Tye, who was selected from Pasquotank County in 1991.
``I think he's always wanted to do as well as Mike,'' Shepherd said. ``And he's finally able to do it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Channing Skinner on ``Slip'' has earned an entry in next July's
international competition in Connecticut.
CHANNING SKINNER, INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL OLYMPIAN
Age: 16
Hometown: Elizabeth City
Occupation: Student at Northeastern High School and high school
cafeteria worker; participant in the therapeutic riding program, a
part of the public schools' and Pasquotank 4-H program's adaptive
physical education program.
Personal: Lives with mother, Linda Skinner, and a younger brother
and sister.
Special Accomplishments: Special Olympics Gold and Silver
Medalist in Equestrian. Based on his past experience and
accomplishments, he was selected last month to attend the
International Special Olympics July 1995 in Connecticut. He also
participates in volleyball, bowling and track and field.
by CNB