Cedar grove news may 2016

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No. 2 Vol. 5

mypaperonline.com

Cedar Grove Teen Wins Several Special Olympics Medals

By Maryanne ChristianoMistretta obert Charles Stutts, 17, of Cedar Grove, is currently competing in level four Freestyle Special Olympics Figure Skating. Stutts makes it all

seem so easy, as he’s won numerous gold medals in Special Olympics Skating, as well as first place for individual and team bowling. Stutts was born in Columbia and adopted by his parents Bob and Maria Stutts

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in 1999 when he was sevenmonths-old. He was “always very happy,” according to Maria. As a child Stutts loved playing with the two family dogs and watching “Daytona 500” with his father. But being in special education was difficult, said his mother. “He wasn’t in a regular classroom,” she said. “He didn’t develop friendships; he didn’t develop as a child. He was in a room with four or six kids. There wasn’t that much awareness [about autism back then].” Though, once his parents found out about special needs programs and got him involved, Stutts began to excel. His journey in sports began with Special Angels starting out with t-ball, soccer, and flag football. Two years later Stutts got occupied with the Special Olympics at Lyndhurst Recreation and learned, bocce and bowling.

“This is where Robert improved his skills. I think [special needs] kids excel at the individual sports; team sports are more difficult,” Maria said. “He has some really good friends. It was very fortunate for us.” Around the same time Stutts began ice skating with the Essex Special Skaters and advanced from level one to level three. Maria said, “His coaches Heidi Dander-

hoof and David Litowitz really helped him a lot with everything he has learned and is still learning.” At level four in ice skating Stutts’ performances include: waltz jump, one-foot spin, sit spin, camel spin and lunges. In addition to all his other athletic passions, Stutts is fond of surfing in the summertime. Though he excels at sports, he has different aspirations for his future, as he likes to draw and sees himself as an artist. In 2012 Stutts won a Certificate of Achievement for second place for the NJ State Elks Special Needs Camp Poster Contest. In 2013 he participated in an art show fundraiser for service dogs, where he won a certificate and sold some of his artwork. He said, “I draw

different cartoon characters. Some are Disney characters. I really want to try to go to college and get into a career that involves becoming a cartoonist and working for an art studio. I always wanted to work for Disney.” In Stutts’ free time, he volunteers at Genesis Health Care in Whippany, a nursing home in which he assists the dietary department in transporting patients to and from the dining room. “They really love having me,” said Stutts. “I try to cheer them up if they’re really down. Some may not have much family.” As a parent Maria is so proud of her son. She said, “He tries hard. He’s determined. He really excels in everything he goes for. Now we’re working with him on life skills.”


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