June 2, 2025 • 34 mins
The Games for the Physically Challenged Has Given One Leg Up to Adaptive Athletes For 40 Years
NC Games 4 Pc website: https://nassaucountypcgames.com/
NC Games 4 Pc website: https://nassaucountypcgames.com/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, everybody, welcome inside to the One Leg Up with
Alex Garrett podcast and today we are honoring the fortieth
anniversary of the Games for the Physically Challenged. Yes, twenty
twenty did not happen, but that doesn't take away from
the fact COVID doesn't take away from the.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Fact that forty years ago this year.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
The empire s eight Games Physically Challenge now in NASA County.
Games for the Physically Challenge was founded by the one
the only, Susan Gordon Ryan and in conjunction with NBTY,
I got a chance to catch up with Susan in
the twenty eighth year of the Games twelve years ago.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
What do you think about this?
Speaker 4 (00:40):
We're gonna talk about this week and how it all started.
Speaker 5 (00:43):
Ah, well, we started the Games in after the Paralympics.
And I have to say every and and there's seen
our competition for children that are physically challenged. Between agents
are five and twenty one and they do track fio, swimming, table.
Speaker 6 (00:58):
Tennis and best evolves. And I have to say every
single year, I just look forward to this.
Speaker 5 (01:04):
It's a big family people. You know, even that a
volunteer have moved out of state. They come out to
these events and there's just always this wonderful spirit of
camaraderie and fun and you know, really love It's like
the games they love built.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
I mean it's just a lot of food and that's
the realness.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
And all these for support supporting us in our course.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
For Laura, I love it.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
I love it.
Speaker 6 (01:28):
I think you know you can see behind us, there's so.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Many different students that have come from different schools.
Speaker 6 (01:34):
They ask and their My job is to hear on
what you're doing right now, which is exactly what makes
it all worked for the kids.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
Well, yeah, it's the games to the Book of the World,
and we Summer twenty two book.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
While it's not pretty book, are really say good load
of the sport by nut.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
On, all of them responsible well.
Speaker 6 (01:52):
At the funding was jeopardized because the Empire State Games
were eliminated from the state parks built and out at
any hesitation of steptout that we're gonna keep the games.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
I will commit to as much as I can as
a host as Canny, but we're gonna need to raise some.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Other funcks for this.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
And this is what we're doing right now, and.
Speaker 6 (02:13):
It's finished tremendous success in second year on a raft all.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Right after Mitchell Atleticon, Blood Song, the Empire, Sad Games,
literally Challenged weekends.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
I'm alas here well, Susan Grunrunn.
Speaker 5 (02:23):
Thank you, Susan, can't you?
Speaker 2 (02:26):
It was so awesome to see her again.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
She was very busy, as was Susan Maxwell and everybody
else at the fortieth anniversary celebration on Friday, But it
was so awesome to see everybody, even Miss Joy who
coached Gabby, and I has not age has not changed
one bit since I was five years old. And that's
to set a compliment to her and her everlasting legendary
(02:52):
run at the Viscardi School and at the Game's Physically Challenged.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
She was my very first coach.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
And we'll hear from my other coach, Ocelonica right now
about what the Games means to him.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
I grew up on the Games.
Speaker 7 (03:05):
I was there, you know, as an athlete for the
very first one, so I you know, in two thousand
and nine, you know me personally, that was the first
one I missed, either as an athlete, a volunteer or
a coach.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
I've been to everyone except that one, and of course
now this year Joe at the end of put video,
but I definitely took pictures.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
It's amazing God's timing that you were able to do
this the speaker, you know, keynote last year, and I
mean that was that must have been you know, chilling
in a way.
Speaker 7 (03:38):
That was a great honor. I mean, like I said,
I grew up on these games. I know what you
know they've done for me. I know what they mean
to everybody. And to be asked to be the keynote
speaker at last year's games, that was definitely a highlight
in my life.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Joe.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
People that have kids with disabilities that might be hearing
for the first time, what's your encouragement to them to
not only do Viscardi, but in general get their kid
out and about what's your encouragement to them today As
as a.
Speaker 8 (04:09):
Kid, if you're a kid looking you know for a
niche in life, right, basketball, specifically wheelchair athletics is a
great way to find yourself.
Speaker 7 (04:21):
You know, you know, you're you're active, you're meeting people,
you're going places. That's all important stuff, especially for a
person with a disability, instead of you know, just kind
of hanging inside watching TV all day.
Speaker 8 (04:37):
It's important to be active and whatever you can do, you.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Need to do yes, and.
Speaker 7 (04:45):
It's whatever kind of function you have, you need to
keep that right.
Speaker 8 (04:51):
And athletics, whether it's playing basketball or just cruising around
the neighborhood in your wheelchair, that's important, you know, because
your body, you need your body needs exercise.
Speaker 7 (05:04):
You know, you need to stay in shape and stay fit.
And those of us that have disabilities need to do
that even more because we are behind the eight ball
physically and medically, you know, so some things don't work
for us, so we need to take advantage of the
things that do work. As for Viscarti as a school,
(05:29):
it's a great place. It's fantastic. I mean, you know,
you get a great quality education where regents accredited. Doctor
v had the idea that not only will you have
an education, but you'll have the opportunity to have therapies there,
whether it's physical therapy, occupational therapy, things like that. We
(05:51):
at Viscarti wanted to and he wanted to make it
as real a school as we can. You know, so
anything that the quote unquote able body world does in school,
we do, whether it's playing basketball, going to prom, senior
(06:11):
class trips, student council.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
I was gonna say, how much does sports cause remember
in the nineties, Jordan had this big world.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Open up because he was doing basketball. He went overseason
and all that. But sports for you and even the
kids at HVS, they get doors open when they join
the sports program something.
Speaker 9 (06:31):
Yes, yeah, absolutely, because wheelchair athletics is not very well
known and if you're good at it right and in
today's world especially, I like the idea that you know,
the corporate world, the media is looking at a person
with a disability and not feeling sorry for them, but
(06:53):
encouraging them and congratulating them because whatever obstacles they face,
they are overcoming by doing something athletically.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
No, it wouldn't be the Games for physically Challenged without
Mama Pat Jordan and David Maxwell, the son of Susan Maxwell.
And here's this little kidid conversation with them back in
twenty twenty two at NASA Community College on that Friday night.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
David Maxwell, welcome back, thank you very much, and Mama
Pat welcome back again.
Speaker 10 (07:28):
Thank you very much. We're so happy to be here.
Speaker 11 (07:31):
Mama Pat, real quick, I know we only got five
minutes because because it's an effect, but can you believe
they let the two almost to a podcast.
Speaker 10 (07:39):
No, now, I don't believe that. They don't let us
sign out all day we're here at Mitchell Field and
they put David on one end and me on the
other so we don't cause any trouble. But it was
such a great day. Tell Mar great day.
Speaker 11 (07:50):
Yeah, tell us about the day to listen first time
back in three years. We had close to nine hundred athletes,
down a little bit from previous years, but for I
think for the first time back in three years, we're
happy with that number and we're looking to, you know,
keep it going and the man, it's so good to
see the familiar faces and now I will go ahead.
Speaker 10 (08:11):
It's really great and smiling familiar face'll be. Everybody is
just so well with joyed to be able to be
back and.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
Enjoy the day.
Speaker 10 (08:18):
It was such a nice thing to see all these
kids running around with the gold medals. They weren't doing
all our events, the running the shield events, and tonight
we're here in Yster Community College.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Was swimming and wheelchair basketball and ping pong and ping pong.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Yes, the sport day, the sport that forrests Go made famous.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Mamma I forgot, I forgot.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
My voice isn't good enough to give a shurtance to this.
But I want you guys who have been here all
day tell me about the COVID protocols. So let's say
a family wants to come out tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Sure, talk about that. Yeah, we're not we're not.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
Really doing too much because it was all outdoors indoors.
If you feel like you need to wear a mask.
Speaker 10 (08:59):
I mean you have masks there at the registration desk, yes,
you know one.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
You know we're we're doing things.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
You know.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Algy been there in Mitchellfield.
Speaker 11 (09:09):
It's well spaced out and everybody seems to be respecting
everybody else, and it just you know, let's well, we
need to worry about COVID.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Let's also enjoy the night you enjoy and not worry
so much about COVID.
Speaker 10 (09:25):
But it's time that we all got together again. I mean,
we have eight hundred and fifty kids.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
Eight hundred and fifty kids.
Speaker 10 (09:31):
I believe today we actually competing in all the DIFFERENTI
guys tonight, as I say, they do in the swimming,
basketball and all ping pong, table tennis to be table tennis,
and they like the work table tennis better, but it was.
It was just such a pleasure, plus the fact it
was great to see I haven't seen David in three years,
(09:52):
except for what tell.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Them what you thought about me that I'm getting a
little one on the top of that little grayer on
the top of that.
Speaker 10 (09:59):
Yes, David got only two.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Years were sorry.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
I'm so glad I opened the microphone to both you
because it's been under This has been better than when
I'm on my byself, So thank you for making this
more fun. You know, I'm seeing the kids smile as
everything every year, but come on, three years not seeing
each other it made it even more special.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
But it was.
Speaker 10 (10:16):
It made it very special. And the chaperones too, And
of course being that I had worked in the Piscotti
School there is I get to see a lot of
the kids from Wiscottie that I hadn't seen for three years,
a lot of the a lot a lot of the
graduates come back to these games because they haven't seen
one another either in all this time, so it made
(10:37):
it really This was of all the games I've been
at dirty years, this made it this special.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
I want to ask MoMA pat real quickly because I
see it on Facebook. But I want to hear your
pride and enjoy of having Mike Selani as an Ohio
State college.
Speaker 10 (10:54):
Come on, it's a little while ago to say, miss
speed it's all that's awesome. Yes, we're very proud of
High Estate graduate assistant an offensive line. Uh, he's very
happy out there. I'm we're hoping they'll keep him Friend
of the Year.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
When we went to Ireland, it was all about football,
even back then. I remember that. I think he brought
one to Ireland with that. Sure he did.
Speaker 10 (11:13):
He always out of football. So we're hoping this works
out well. From this is what he truly wants to
be a coach on the offensive line and some team. Oh,
Hi State is a good school. They treat him very nicely.
And are we running at Chivers?
Speaker 11 (11:26):
No?
Speaker 3 (11:26):
No, no, just keep talking, just keep talking. I love this.
Oh do you I do? I actually do? David. I
got to ask you because since we last talked, I
discovered tonight you.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Have a podcast I do Wednesday. That's one hundred episodes
that credd and four Une hundred and four. Now, so
tell us a little about that.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
So Wednesday's with Wheels. You know, my original ideal for
the podcast like.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
I give people who have never heard you before a
little bit of why you've created this podcast.
Speaker 10 (11:48):
So I'm Brian tell him it's with Wheels. Because David's interwet.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
Because I'm in a wheelchair, I forget my podcast.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
I do uh with the video so people can see me.
Speaker 4 (11:59):
You can also get it all the platforms.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
But I do some local radio up in Rochester, New York.
Speaker 11 (12:05):
I'm a Rochesterian and I'm on the radio with a
very famous local DJ, brother Weez. And during the pandemic,
I couldn't go into the studio and was only on
the show about fifteen minutes every Friday. So I said,
I need to start a podcast so that I can
keep this going, and Wednesdays with Wheels was born. And
(12:26):
my original idea for the podcast was to interview people
everyday people because my thought.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Is everybody has a story, so I do that.
Speaker 11 (12:34):
I've met some people on TikTok that I interviewed, but
I also have interviewed some locally famous Rochester people, some
sports people.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Rochester Red Wings are still up there right, Rochester Red
Wings are still up there.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
They're playing well this season.
Speaker 4 (12:50):
So it's really just been a labor of love for
me and a way did I get to flat my gump.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Some more good thing.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
It's so easy to do a podcast from from on remote.
You got to start doing it looking into that, because
this is pretty cool just to be here talking to
you guys.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
It's so funny. I did not know that I could
do this, and I knew I could do it, but I've.
Speaker 4 (13:10):
Never done it, and I'm going to do one tomorrow.
I'm gonna just walk around and talk to me.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Yeah, and we're gonna see how it turns out.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
And your mom Smackswell puts effort into this each and
every year, can do that, so come on, let's let's
give her. Let's talk up a bit on it.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
My mom is not My mom is very behind the scenes,
does not want the credit.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
She desired.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
I will tell you that these three years were probably
the hardest on her.
Speaker 11 (13:38):
And even to go further back and say that when
the county took it over, and we need to give
thanks to the county, and every year we give thanks
to the county executive blakeman Uh for continuing the games.
But that you know, because there was a time when
we the state wasn't going to do it. We were
a great and I remember my mom coming to me
(13:59):
in thing.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
The state refused to do it after a certain point.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
For those that's what we call podcasts sounds Alex, they
just got.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Some exactly and it's sure the state refused to do it.
And I can I say under Coomo, let me just
say it out that he cut the budget like his first.
Speaker 10 (14:13):
Year and saw this one that really started games. Yes,
we didn't understand that show.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
We're very happy that the county came in, stepped up
and took it over every year.
Speaker 10 (14:24):
And our county executive we see you today and back tomorrow.
He said, these comes the dinner.
Speaker 11 (14:30):
Very cool from l I say the name placement, yes, right, yeah, absolutely,
let me.
Speaker 4 (14:36):
Can I flip the script because and this was this
was only supposed to be five minutes.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
We're going for whatever.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
I'm gonna put this on the adapting podcast because look,
we're at at an event where and I've talked about
this on my podcast before on Olex Scare Podcasting that
it's an adaptive event where kids with you know, with
disabilities and physical challenges, special needs, they get to shine.
And that's the biggest part of this weekend. It's never
year and all these people behind the scenes. David, you
(15:06):
competed in this, I did. He was twenty one, me too,
so we were twenty one.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
No, the doctors told me I would never walk, that
I would always be in.
Speaker 11 (15:14):
A real starting two more and I was using I
was using a walker, and I ran my first race
here at the Empire State Game. So you know that's
something that you can never be never can be taken away. No,
not at all, And so you know that's that's something
I'm always very proud of.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Very well, Okay, let me flip the script.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
I'm gonna this fee We're calling this. We're gonna call this.
Flip the script on Alex. All right, mom, Yes we
should so Alex. Yes, well, let's talk about.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
You and what the games have meant to you and uh,
like you guys about that, like you guys, the last
three years of kill me because it is a family.
And the minute I roll into this place family, Yes,
the minute I roll in you will remind me of
how much a family this is. I of course miss competing.
But you know what was funny is that after twenty ten,
well after I graduated VISCARTI, I started to say, well,
(16:07):
let me have other kids ever shot at this and
let me make way.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
But then, as we mentioned, the state cut it, and
I'm like, all right, I can't not go back after
the station, after the county rescued it.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
So there were a few times where I was like,
I'm not doing it, and then I did it till
I was twenty one, and I enjoyed all every minute
of it. But now to see the kids after, you know,
continue this tradition is very no.
Speaker 11 (16:28):
It's so funny that Alix talks about the competition aspect
of it.
Speaker 4 (16:33):
For me, I mean, I liked the races and all that,
but for me, it was never it was never about
the races. I was They called me the mayor. I
know it well, Cub was Mama pad, I ran blobb
and I say, I used to shake hands and kiss baby.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
You know what.
Speaker 10 (16:52):
Sam would be sore by the end of the first day.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Sure, sure, but yeah, and his head wouldn't fit in
the room. I'm sure right, yeah. Uh.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
And one more update on the Jordan family and MoMA
Pat and the whole family. You were honored this April.
Tell me about that.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Well, they couldn't find anybody else, anybody else. I'm kidding no,
it's the truth.
Speaker 10 (17:17):
It's the truth. My son Edward is working India now
and he might run say hello.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
The thing is that I started.
Speaker 10 (17:24):
Working with the games when they first started, and then
my children.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Jumped in, and then the grand children jumped in.
Speaker 10 (17:32):
So we have three generations, all amazing volunteering at these games.
And it became such a part of our lives and the.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
People because I saw when she was young, bir I mean.
Speaker 10 (17:44):
Aaron is hello, second lieutenant.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
In the United States Marines that it was first lieutenant.
I don't know, I think it's.
Speaker 10 (17:51):
First, and then John Codwin, John Cobblin. It just became
a lieutenant JG. In the Navy, and the others of
Wolfish College. But they've wire resmarked to you.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
Now we have the next group.
Speaker 10 (18:03):
We call them the second Letter of great children who
were volunteering on the well today.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
I don't think. I feel like you guys are too
humble to recognize the impact you made.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
I mean, for a little backup there, Mama pat organized
every year up until two thousand and eight this Irish
physically challenged Irish American youth teams, and she organized a
trip for kids from Ireland with disabilities to compete on
our shores and then would have kids Americans go to
Ireland and compete.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
Now, David, I never asked you were you part of this? Well,
I was using the fart. I was part of the
first Irish American program, which.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
I don't believe you were in nold in at that.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
Now, right, we wouldn't. I'll talk about that. But just
let me step back for a minute.
Speaker 11 (18:46):
Because I made a joke, and I was just joking
that we couldn't find anything else because the Jordan's you
couldn't find any more selfless giving people.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
How much of them I'm just kidding. I suppose hundred.
Speaker 10 (19:06):
Trying to pay why the kids to sing with one
hundred dollars?
Speaker 11 (19:10):
But no, seriously, it's and I'm not just I don't
want to just talk about the George, but I want
to talk about all our volunteers.
Speaker 10 (19:16):
Right, we have the fantast most and our.
Speaker 4 (19:20):
Committee heads that have been here with us from the beginning.
Speaker 10 (19:23):
And they were and it's not just for the two
or three days we're here, No.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
Right, it's all iron And let's talk about our special prizes.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
People who gather prizes for.
Speaker 11 (19:35):
George has been gathering George and Sandy have been gathering
prizes for the last three years, waiting.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
For this date, and they would go on within it.
Now I don't know.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
We've talked about and talk about the people like Chris, Sarah,
Chris and Rito and Ray and all these people and
and I'm missing so many.
Speaker 10 (19:56):
But well, what it's great they have a core group
and without you.
Speaker 3 (20:05):
That we couldn't do this. I'm asking a million dollar question.
Speaker 1 (20:09):
Did you ever think of did you think the pandemic
would forever ruin this or did you think we would
come back?
Speaker 10 (20:13):
Stra Well, we hoped it would come back, but it's
very hard to regroup. Yes, you lose a lot of evoluntieres.
I think I was only two years. Like everybody says,
go back to child all volunteers are all gone.
Speaker 11 (20:27):
But you know what else say about the games that
I've said since I've been competing since I was seven
year old. And when I go and talk to volunteer
people that were trying to get the volunteer, I'll always say,
once you come to the games.
Speaker 4 (20:40):
Once you're right, ok, you know we have people like
I'm going to name roup some more.
Speaker 11 (20:47):
I know you tell me I shouldn't do this, but
we have people like Chuck Hellinggan and Bob Fogerty. They
used to work for the state, and Chuck still works
for the state, but they don't even get paid to
come here, and at one.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
Point they weren't.
Speaker 11 (21:05):
They're just taking vacation time and coming because it is
that sense of family and this is what we do.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
So I didn't really have a concern that we weren't
going to come back in some form. I didn't know
what that form would look like. But like I said,
when you're hooked, you're hooked.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
And God has brought us all three together here. I
swear to God right now.
Speaker 10 (21:25):
And this woman great and well, we never see you anymore,
and you are one of my students. But we don't
see him, yeah, because he goes well because he's working in.
Speaker 11 (21:35):
And can I just say about Alex real quick, he's
better on one roller blade then even if I.
Speaker 3 (21:42):
Could walk, I'd be good on two feet. The man,
the man is a pro. He's got a.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
Way better radio voice than I'll ever have.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Well, my voice is a bit story right now. So
maybe that's what you do.
Speaker 4 (21:55):
These updates from the baseball sting.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
Him and you, my friend, are doing great.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Work, and I just want to say that this pandemic
did not ruin the games and it's it's made us
stronger and brought us together and strong and really nothing
can break these games.
Speaker 10 (22:11):
I swear to because they are so important to these children.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
They are so important. And is our website? You might
know is our website people, because I believe you.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
Can go to I believe there's a county website.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
I don't know the exact address, but I know we're
on Facebook at uh And by the way, I asked
a County Victory Challenge was what it was? But the
Games for Physically Challenged, that's the name for this. I
know everywhere we are again. I know we're back to
the Game for Physically Challenge.
Speaker 10 (22:36):
We had changed for a while because of monetary reason,
but we're right back there where we started out.
Speaker 11 (22:43):
Well, listen, Mama Peck and I just say, what a
pleasure this has been to be with you, first of all,
but to be on Alex's podcast isn't that great? I
think we were like five minutes, Alex, what time are
we at? How long have we been ypping for?
Speaker 3 (22:59):
I know I'm the raider guys supposed to maintain the clock.
But at this when I threw out the clock and
I said, let's do this. Not a good producer right now,
this is the best podcast I can make it, don't
we have?
Speaker 12 (23:10):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (23:10):
We do.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
Get out of here. We got I got the Ranger
on in thirty five minutes. What do I do?
Speaker 11 (23:17):
I know this is for your abilities podcast, right adefinitily
adapted ability. But since the Rangers are going to be on,
what's your prediction Tonight's game in this island?
Speaker 1 (23:30):
And I know we're right across from the coliseum where
the rain, where the aisles are no more. But I've
never been to ubs yet anyway, I think to Tampa
Bay Lightning tied up tonight.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
I mean if they go, if the Rangers go up
to nothing.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
I will be ecstatic, very firstly, but secondly stunned because
the Lightning are just they're so the Rangers are three,
and they're four and oh against this.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
Team right now, regular season included. If they go six
to oh, they have a very chance, a good chance
to beat them. Sure, so I'd be surprisingly win six oh.
Speaker 4 (23:59):
But hey, their home, Alex, you know what I'm doing
right now on them? Because you made that prediction.
Speaker 3 (24:04):
You're not gonna, I said the lightning.
Speaker 11 (24:07):
I'm gonna put one hundred dollars on the Rangers to
win the game. I'm gonna go on draft skiings right now,
do that, and I'm gonna put a wager on the game.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
By the way, I feel like everything's better on now.
I mean, it's just crazy. It's insane to me.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
And you know you're a Buffalo Saber fan. I'm sure right,
because oh absolutely so, we'll have you. Do you miss
Echel or was he No, we don't miss him.
Speaker 11 (24:32):
Listen, I know that's not what this podcast is about,
but you've been to end me back on we talked sports.
Speaker 3 (24:36):
He was not good for the locker.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Room I have.
Speaker 3 (24:39):
And he did adapt dwell to Vegas either.
Speaker 11 (24:41):
I know. No. Well, look, they didn't make it pass
the first they didn't even make the playoffs, right, he
just chose you a franchise that had everything together, start
to finish great from day one.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
And they totally blew the whole thing up. And now
you look at Gerard.
Speaker 11 (24:55):
Goalan, who was the Vegas Gold Night coach welcome to
the Finals, and then took him to this semi final.
Speaker 4 (25:01):
No, now, coach of the Arrangers and the Rangers look
like they could be well on their way.
Speaker 1 (25:06):
Well how about this, If you're not tired of this,
why don't you guys come back tomorrow and give me
a day to recap from the games.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
I love that, I love it. I'll try.
Speaker 4 (25:13):
She's got a wedding, a wedding, tomorrow's got a wedding.
Speaker 10 (25:16):
So I believes people have the nerve to have the
wedding weekend of the games. How do they not know
because they don't realize the importance of this in all
of our lives. I might bring me as a date, right,
I might bring him as a date.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
Yeah, I'll do for you tomorrow night.
Speaker 4 (25:31):
Okay, what if I bring combos?
Speaker 5 (25:34):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (25:34):
He introduced me to combos this week? You know, no
combos is food. Oh yeah, the combos before.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
Condo.
Speaker 10 (25:50):
I never had them before any boy being put them
on my desk. Of course I had a desk this
year first on the thirty eighties.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
Yeah, Well, I'm Alex Scartt. It's been a pleasure and
we will definitely have you guys back.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
If you're here tomorrow and wedding. Hello, thank you very much.
I'll love you both, and you guys mean a lot.
So thanks for being Thank you very much, thank you
for having me. You're welcome.
Speaker 10 (26:14):
I'm Alie, appreciate the publicity. Sure games, Yes, Kenny, Yes,
good challenge, and.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
I'm Alex S. Garrett and I always say well, we're
always adapting.
Speaker 1 (26:29):
Now. A couple of other Viscardi alums I want to
get to right now. Katie Wegglekowski, a mainstay at the
Games forever, had this to say when I talked to
her five years ago on Alex Garrett's one on the
Up Network.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
Any found memories you have of those games as well?
Speaker 4 (26:47):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 13 (26:48):
Yes, I've been in a competitor drift like you for
many many years, and I have had so many wonderful
memories of being on the track and feels and playing
rich about the ball you and my other teammates, and
winning state championship. It it brings back some memories.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
And if you see Katie, you probably see the next
guest I had on talk about the Games, Jessica Tambour,
and I want to get to her right now. Another
Viscardi alum who also opened up about the Games for
the physically challenge and what they meant.
Speaker 3 (27:22):
And mean to her.
Speaker 14 (27:25):
Since you were on the cover of the game's able paper,
which like a by the way, tell me what that
community is like to be there, nose and not only
as an athlete for the for the years you were
then there's a volunteer.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
I mean, we've been doing that for twenty plus years now.
Mm hmm.
Speaker 15 (27:45):
The Games is amazing because it let me like, it
allows me to be an athley like everyone else can.
And then now that I'm older, I can volunteer. I
ain't give it back to the younger kids show they
have the same experiences that I did oh.
Speaker 10 (28:06):
School.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
And then also.
Speaker 15 (28:10):
It was an honor to be on the cover of Abel.
I wasn't really expecting that until happen. And then they
called me up and and I was like, really you
want me to do and they're like, yes, we think
but everyone I said, okay, and here's my story. And
(28:32):
then I showed it to my whole family and my
friend and you have all the games.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
Was it sort of like the pipeline that we all
had through Muscardi or was it a different route or
how did you get.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Involved missus Garny?
Speaker 15 (28:45):
You know, like I think I saw when I was like,
I have a picture of my dad like behind me
and I was on this like sea sort thing like
six years old. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
Now we have surprise guests tonight on the podcast, Gabby Pisani,
who you've probably seen around the Games with me over
the years as well.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
What's the Games mean to you, baby?
Speaker 3 (29:11):
They mean a lot, you know.
Speaker 12 (29:13):
I used to do them for quite a few years
when I was a lot younger, and it just brings
so many people together showing support and showing appreciation for
athletics in our own way.
Speaker 2 (29:27):
So there you have it. A lums.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
The founder of the Games, Sue Gordon, Ryan, Mama Pat
Jordan Hu we all know in love and it was
great to see her Friday as well. And those who
cannot get on record or you know, maybe not wanted to,
but ed hebron Gott to give a shout out to
him and his dedication to the Games for now quarter
(29:52):
of a century, twenty five years and his family as well,
always showing up to support the kids. We cannot forget
my dad who was making this an event every year
from the age of when I was five. He made
sure to get us to the Games every year. Can't
forget the hostra folks that continue to support and how's
(30:15):
the athletes every single year? And I cannot forget Dominic
who continues to be at the Games. I saw Dominic
this Friday as well. So some pretty cool people still
around forty years later or earlier, you know, or thirty
(30:36):
years later, twenty five, They're still here no matter when
they joined the journey, they are still here and how
special is that? And of course can end this podcast
without saying forty years wouldn't have been possible if it
wasn't for the volunteer work of Jack and Carol Smith.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
And we miss them dearly, very much so as they
were a mainstay for many years.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
At the Games.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
To physically Challenged and to the three county executives that
have continued to run for the game's last fifteen years
and Mangano, Laura Kerrn and Kerran County Executive Bruce Blakeman,
thank you for continuing that mantle, for carrying that torch
(31:30):
for the adaptive athletes, for the disabled athletes of Long Island,
New York City then the Tristate area.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
We are ever.
Speaker 1 (31:39):
Thankful that you have continued this run for the Games
physically Challenged, and of course cannot forget the memories of
the you know Irish kids that came over and competed
in that exchange program. That comes to mind as well
every year in the May and.
Speaker 3 (31:57):
June, and that's that.
Speaker 1 (32:02):
Hopefully we'll have more people to bring on and talk
about these games as we have hit forty years, forty
years strong. As I said, no matter what happened in
twenty twenty, forty years strong for the Games physically challenged,
and it's been a real honor to be part of that,
A real opportunity that opened up when I was five
(32:27):
years old, and it's so good good to see all
the other kids have that opportunity. Wow, am I gonna
say this really at twenty.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Eight years later?
Speaker 1 (32:41):
And in the twenty eight years, I have to say,
though she was a little nervous, she was very supportive
as well.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
My mom and my stepdad Vick, always setting.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
Me up for success to head on the road with
my dad to these games with all the packing the
night before and you know, making sure we had all
the supplies ready to go for that weekend at the games.
I couldn't have done those weekends without them either. So
I want to give a shout out to my mom
and my stepdad Vic and to them for also storing
(33:19):
the medals that my friend Laura had saved up.
Speaker 3 (33:25):
All the golds that I had won over the.
Speaker 1 (33:27):
Years are still in our possession and proudly hanging in
my room in Queens and I think my mom and
my stepdad for keeping those safe as well, twenty eight
years in the making. I truly believe the Empires of
(33:49):
Games and NASA kind of games physically challenged have one
leg up for adaptive athletes in and around the Try
State are long lived.
Speaker 3 (34:00):
The game
Hey, everybody, welcome inside to the One Leg Up with
Alex Garrett podcast and today we are honoring the fortieth
anniversary of the Games for the Physically Challenged. Yes, twenty
twenty did not happen, but that doesn't take away from
the fact COVID doesn't take away from the.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
Fact that forty years ago this year.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
The empire s eight Games Physically Challenge now in NASA County.
Games for the Physically Challenge was founded by the one
the only, Susan Gordon Ryan and in conjunction with NBTY,
I got a chance to catch up with Susan in
the twenty eighth year of the Games twelve years ago.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
What do you think about this?
Speaker 4 (00:40):
We're gonna talk about this week and how it all started.
Speaker 5 (00:43):
Ah, well, we started the Games in after the Paralympics.
And I have to say every and and there's seen
our competition for children that are physically challenged. Between agents
are five and twenty one and they do track fio, swimming, table.
Speaker 6 (00:58):
Tennis and best evolves. And I have to say every
single year, I just look forward to this.
Speaker 5 (01:04):
It's a big family people. You know, even that a
volunteer have moved out of state. They come out to
these events and there's just always this wonderful spirit of
camaraderie and fun and you know, really love It's like
the games they love built.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
I mean it's just a lot of food and that's
the realness.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
And all these for support supporting us in our course.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
For Laura, I love it.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
I love it.
Speaker 6 (01:28):
I think you know you can see behind us, there's so.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Many different students that have come from different schools.
Speaker 6 (01:34):
They ask and their My job is to hear on
what you're doing right now, which is exactly what makes
it all worked for the kids.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
Well, yeah, it's the games to the Book of the World,
and we Summer twenty two book.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
While it's not pretty book, are really say good load
of the sport by nut.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
On, all of them responsible well.
Speaker 6 (01:52):
At the funding was jeopardized because the Empire State Games
were eliminated from the state parks built and out at
any hesitation of steptout that we're gonna keep the games.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
I will commit to as much as I can as
a host as Canny, but we're gonna need to raise some.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Other funcks for this.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
And this is what we're doing right now, and.
Speaker 6 (02:13):
It's finished tremendous success in second year on a raft all.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
Right after Mitchell Atleticon, Blood Song, the Empire, Sad Games,
literally Challenged weekends.
Speaker 3 (02:21):
I'm alas here well, Susan Grunrunn.
Speaker 5 (02:23):
Thank you, Susan, can't you?
Speaker 2 (02:26):
It was so awesome to see her again.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
She was very busy, as was Susan Maxwell and everybody
else at the fortieth anniversary celebration on Friday, But it
was so awesome to see everybody, even Miss Joy who
coached Gabby, and I has not age has not changed
one bit since I was five years old. And that's
to set a compliment to her and her everlasting legendary
(02:52):
run at the Viscardi School and at the Game's Physically Challenged.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
She was my very first coach.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
And we'll hear from my other coach, Ocelonica right now
about what the Games means to him.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
I grew up on the Games.
Speaker 7 (03:05):
I was there, you know, as an athlete for the
very first one, so I you know, in two thousand
and nine, you know me personally, that was the first
one I missed, either as an athlete, a volunteer or
a coach.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
I've been to everyone except that one, and of course
now this year Joe at the end of put video,
but I definitely took pictures.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
It's amazing God's timing that you were able to do
this the speaker, you know, keynote last year, and I
mean that was that must have been you know, chilling
in a way.
Speaker 7 (03:38):
That was a great honor. I mean, like I said,
I grew up on these games. I know what you
know they've done for me. I know what they mean
to everybody. And to be asked to be the keynote
speaker at last year's games, that was definitely a highlight
in my life.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Joe.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
People that have kids with disabilities that might be hearing
for the first time, what's your encouragement to them to
not only do Viscardi, but in general get their kid
out and about what's your encouragement to them today As
as a.
Speaker 8 (04:09):
Kid, if you're a kid looking you know for a
niche in life, right, basketball, specifically wheelchair athletics is a
great way to find yourself.
Speaker 7 (04:21):
You know, you know, you're you're active, you're meeting people,
you're going places. That's all important stuff, especially for a
person with a disability, instead of you know, just kind
of hanging inside watching TV all day.
Speaker 8 (04:37):
It's important to be active and whatever you can do, you.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Need to do yes, and.
Speaker 7 (04:45):
It's whatever kind of function you have, you need to
keep that right.
Speaker 8 (04:51):
And athletics, whether it's playing basketball or just cruising around
the neighborhood in your wheelchair, that's important, you know, because
your body, you need your body needs exercise.
Speaker 7 (05:04):
You know, you need to stay in shape and stay fit.
And those of us that have disabilities need to do
that even more because we are behind the eight ball
physically and medically, you know, so some things don't work
for us, so we need to take advantage of the
things that do work. As for Viscarti as a school,
(05:29):
it's a great place. It's fantastic. I mean, you know,
you get a great quality education where regents accredited. Doctor
v had the idea that not only will you have
an education, but you'll have the opportunity to have therapies there,
whether it's physical therapy, occupational therapy, things like that. We
(05:51):
at Viscarti wanted to and he wanted to make it
as real a school as we can. You know, so
anything that the quote unquote able body world does in school,
we do, whether it's playing basketball, going to prom, senior
(06:11):
class trips, student council.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
I was gonna say, how much does sports cause remember
in the nineties, Jordan had this big world.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Open up because he was doing basketball. He went overseason
and all that. But sports for you and even the
kids at HVS, they get doors open when they join
the sports program something.
Speaker 9 (06:31):
Yes, yeah, absolutely, because wheelchair athletics is not very well
known and if you're good at it right and in
today's world especially, I like the idea that you know,
the corporate world, the media is looking at a person
with a disability and not feeling sorry for them, but
(06:53):
encouraging them and congratulating them because whatever obstacles they face,
they are overcoming by doing something athletically.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
No, it wouldn't be the Games for physically Challenged without
Mama Pat Jordan and David Maxwell, the son of Susan Maxwell.
And here's this little kidid conversation with them back in
twenty twenty two at NASA Community College on that Friday night.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
David Maxwell, welcome back, thank you very much, and Mama
Pat welcome back again.
Speaker 10 (07:28):
Thank you very much. We're so happy to be here.
Speaker 11 (07:31):
Mama Pat, real quick, I know we only got five
minutes because because it's an effect, but can you believe
they let the two almost to a podcast.
Speaker 10 (07:39):
No, now, I don't believe that. They don't let us
sign out all day we're here at Mitchell Field and
they put David on one end and me on the
other so we don't cause any trouble. But it was
such a great day. Tell Mar great day.
Speaker 11 (07:50):
Yeah, tell us about the day to listen first time
back in three years. We had close to nine hundred athletes,
down a little bit from previous years, but for I
think for the first time back in three years, we're
happy with that number and we're looking to, you know,
keep it going and the man, it's so good to
see the familiar faces and now I will go ahead.
Speaker 10 (08:11):
It's really great and smiling familiar face'll be. Everybody is
just so well with joyed to be able to be
back and.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
Enjoy the day.
Speaker 10 (08:18):
It was such a nice thing to see all these
kids running around with the gold medals. They weren't doing
all our events, the running the shield events, and tonight
we're here in Yster Community College.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
Was swimming and wheelchair basketball and ping pong and ping pong.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Yes, the sport day, the sport that forrests Go made famous.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Mamma I forgot, I forgot.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
My voice isn't good enough to give a shurtance to this.
But I want you guys who have been here all
day tell me about the COVID protocols. So let's say
a family wants to come out tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Sure, talk about that. Yeah, we're not we're not.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
Really doing too much because it was all outdoors indoors.
If you feel like you need to wear a mask.
Speaker 10 (08:59):
I mean you have masks there at the registration desk, yes,
you know one.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
You know we're we're doing things.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
You know.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Algy been there in Mitchellfield.
Speaker 11 (09:09):
It's well spaced out and everybody seems to be respecting
everybody else, and it just you know, let's well, we
need to worry about COVID.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Let's also enjoy the night you enjoy and not worry
so much about COVID.
Speaker 10 (09:25):
But it's time that we all got together again. I mean,
we have eight hundred and fifty kids.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
Eight hundred and fifty kids.
Speaker 10 (09:31):
I believe today we actually competing in all the DIFFERENTI
guys tonight, as I say, they do in the swimming,
basketball and all ping pong, table tennis to be table tennis,
and they like the work table tennis better, but it was.
It was just such a pleasure, plus the fact it
was great to see I haven't seen David in three years,
(09:52):
except for what tell.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Them what you thought about me that I'm getting a
little one on the top of that little grayer on
the top of that.
Speaker 10 (09:59):
Yes, David got only two.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
Years were sorry.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
I'm so glad I opened the microphone to both you
because it's been under This has been better than when
I'm on my byself, So thank you for making this
more fun. You know, I'm seeing the kids smile as
everything every year, but come on, three years not seeing
each other it made it even more special.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
But it was.
Speaker 10 (10:16):
It made it very special. And the chaperones too, And
of course being that I had worked in the Piscotti
School there is I get to see a lot of
the kids from Wiscottie that I hadn't seen for three years,
a lot of the a lot a lot of the
graduates come back to these games because they haven't seen
one another either in all this time, so it made
(10:37):
it really This was of all the games I've been
at dirty years, this made it this special.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
I want to ask MoMA pat real quickly because I
see it on Facebook. But I want to hear your
pride and enjoy of having Mike Selani as an Ohio
State college.
Speaker 10 (10:54):
Come on, it's a little while ago to say, miss
speed it's all that's awesome. Yes, we're very proud of
High Estate graduate assistant an offensive line. Uh, he's very
happy out there. I'm we're hoping they'll keep him Friend
of the Year.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
When we went to Ireland, it was all about football,
even back then. I remember that. I think he brought
one to Ireland with that. Sure he did.
Speaker 10 (11:13):
He always out of football. So we're hoping this works
out well. From this is what he truly wants to
be a coach on the offensive line and some team. Oh,
Hi State is a good school. They treat him very nicely.
And are we running at Chivers?
Speaker 11 (11:26):
No?
Speaker 3 (11:26):
No, no, just keep talking, just keep talking. I love this.
Oh do you I do? I actually do? David. I
got to ask you because since we last talked, I
discovered tonight you.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Have a podcast I do Wednesday. That's one hundred episodes
that credd and four Une hundred and four. Now, so
tell us a little about that.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
So Wednesday's with Wheels. You know, my original ideal for
the podcast like.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
I give people who have never heard you before a
little bit of why you've created this podcast.
Speaker 10 (11:48):
So I'm Brian tell him it's with Wheels. Because David's interwet.
Speaker 4 (11:51):
Because I'm in a wheelchair, I forget my podcast.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
I do uh with the video so people can see me.
Speaker 4 (11:59):
You can also get it all the platforms.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
But I do some local radio up in Rochester, New York.
Speaker 11 (12:05):
I'm a Rochesterian and I'm on the radio with a
very famous local DJ, brother Weez. And during the pandemic,
I couldn't go into the studio and was only on
the show about fifteen minutes every Friday. So I said,
I need to start a podcast so that I can
keep this going, and Wednesdays with Wheels was born. And
(12:26):
my original idea for the podcast was to interview people
everyday people because my thought.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Is everybody has a story, so I do that.
Speaker 11 (12:34):
I've met some people on TikTok that I interviewed, but
I also have interviewed some locally famous Rochester people, some
sports people.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Rochester Red Wings are still up there right, Rochester Red
Wings are still up there.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
They're playing well this season.
Speaker 4 (12:50):
So it's really just been a labor of love for
me and a way did I get to flat my gump.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Some more good thing.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
It's so easy to do a podcast from from on remote.
You got to start doing it looking into that, because
this is pretty cool just to be here talking to
you guys.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
It's so funny. I did not know that I could
do this, and I knew I could do it, but I've.
Speaker 4 (13:10):
Never done it, and I'm going to do one tomorrow.
I'm gonna just walk around and talk to me.
Speaker 3 (13:15):
Yeah, and we're gonna see how it turns out.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
And your mom Smackswell puts effort into this each and
every year, can do that, so come on, let's let's
give her. Let's talk up a bit on it.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
My mom is not My mom is very behind the scenes,
does not want the credit.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
She desired.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
I will tell you that these three years were probably
the hardest on her.
Speaker 11 (13:38):
And even to go further back and say that when
the county took it over, and we need to give
thanks to the county, and every year we give thanks
to the county executive blakeman Uh for continuing the games.
But that you know, because there was a time when
we the state wasn't going to do it. We were
a great and I remember my mom coming to me
(13:59):
in thing.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
The state refused to do it after a certain point.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
For those that's what we call podcasts sounds Alex, they
just got.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Some exactly and it's sure the state refused to do it.
And I can I say under Coomo, let me just
say it out that he cut the budget like his first.
Speaker 10 (14:13):
Year and saw this one that really started games. Yes,
we didn't understand that show.
Speaker 4 (14:19):
We're very happy that the county came in, stepped up
and took it over every year.
Speaker 10 (14:24):
And our county executive we see you today and back tomorrow.
He said, these comes the dinner.
Speaker 11 (14:30):
Very cool from l I say the name placement, yes, right, yeah, absolutely,
let me.
Speaker 4 (14:36):
Can I flip the script because and this was this
was only supposed to be five minutes.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
We're going for whatever.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
I'm gonna put this on the adapting podcast because look,
we're at at an event where and I've talked about
this on my podcast before on Olex Scare Podcasting that
it's an adaptive event where kids with you know, with
disabilities and physical challenges, special needs, they get to shine.
And that's the biggest part of this weekend. It's never
year and all these people behind the scenes. David, you
(15:06):
competed in this, I did. He was twenty one, me too,
so we were twenty one.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
No, the doctors told me I would never walk, that
I would always be in.
Speaker 11 (15:14):
A real starting two more and I was using I
was using a walker, and I ran my first race
here at the Empire State Game. So you know that's
something that you can never be never can be taken away. No,
not at all, And so you know that's that's something
I'm always very proud of.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
Very well, Okay, let me flip the script.
Speaker 4 (15:36):
I'm gonna this fee We're calling this. We're gonna call this.
Flip the script on Alex. All right, mom, Yes we
should so Alex. Yes, well, let's talk about.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
You and what the games have meant to you and uh,
like you guys about that, like you guys, the last
three years of kill me because it is a family.
And the minute I roll into this place family, Yes,
the minute I roll in you will remind me of
how much a family this is. I of course miss competing.
But you know what was funny is that after twenty ten,
well after I graduated VISCARTI, I started to say, well,
(16:07):
let me have other kids ever shot at this and
let me make way.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
But then, as we mentioned, the state cut it, and
I'm like, all right, I can't not go back after
the station, after the county rescued it.
Speaker 1 (16:17):
So there were a few times where I was like,
I'm not doing it, and then I did it till
I was twenty one, and I enjoyed all every minute
of it. But now to see the kids after, you know,
continue this tradition is very no.
Speaker 11 (16:28):
It's so funny that Alix talks about the competition aspect
of it.
Speaker 4 (16:33):
For me, I mean, I liked the races and all that,
but for me, it was never it was never about
the races. I was They called me the mayor. I
know it well, Cub was Mama pad, I ran blobb
and I say, I used to shake hands and kiss baby.
Speaker 3 (16:50):
You know what.
Speaker 10 (16:52):
Sam would be sore by the end of the first day.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Sure, sure, but yeah, and his head wouldn't fit in
the room. I'm sure right, yeah. Uh.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
And one more update on the Jordan family and MoMA
Pat and the whole family. You were honored this April.
Tell me about that.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
Well, they couldn't find anybody else, anybody else. I'm kidding no,
it's the truth.
Speaker 10 (17:17):
It's the truth. My son Edward is working India now
and he might run say hello.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
The thing is that I started.
Speaker 10 (17:24):
Working with the games when they first started, and then
my children.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Jumped in, and then the grand children jumped in.
Speaker 10 (17:32):
So we have three generations, all amazing volunteering at these games.
And it became such a part of our lives and the.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
People because I saw when she was young, bir I mean.
Speaker 10 (17:44):
Aaron is hello, second lieutenant.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
In the United States Marines that it was first lieutenant.
I don't know, I think it's.
Speaker 10 (17:51):
First, and then John Codwin, John Cobblin. It just became
a lieutenant JG. In the Navy, and the others of
Wolfish College. But they've wire resmarked to you.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
Now we have the next group.
Speaker 10 (18:03):
We call them the second Letter of great children who
were volunteering on the well today.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
I don't think. I feel like you guys are too
humble to recognize the impact you made.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
I mean, for a little backup there, Mama pat organized
every year up until two thousand and eight this Irish
physically challenged Irish American youth teams, and she organized a
trip for kids from Ireland with disabilities to compete on
our shores and then would have kids Americans go to
Ireland and compete.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
Now, David, I never asked you were you part of this? Well,
I was using the fart. I was part of the
first Irish American program, which.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
I don't believe you were in nold in at that.
Speaker 3 (18:41):
Now, right, we wouldn't. I'll talk about that. But just
let me step back for a minute.
Speaker 11 (18:46):
Because I made a joke, and I was just joking
that we couldn't find anything else because the Jordan's you
couldn't find any more selfless giving people.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
How much of them I'm just kidding. I suppose hundred.
Speaker 10 (19:06):
Trying to pay why the kids to sing with one
hundred dollars?
Speaker 11 (19:10):
But no, seriously, it's and I'm not just I don't
want to just talk about the George, but I want
to talk about all our volunteers.
Speaker 10 (19:16):
Right, we have the fantast most and our.
Speaker 4 (19:20):
Committee heads that have been here with us from the beginning.
Speaker 10 (19:23):
And they were and it's not just for the two
or three days we're here, No.
Speaker 4 (19:27):
Right, it's all iron And let's talk about our special prizes.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
People who gather prizes for.
Speaker 11 (19:35):
George has been gathering George and Sandy have been gathering
prizes for the last three years, waiting.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
For this date, and they would go on within it.
Now I don't know.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
We've talked about and talk about the people like Chris, Sarah,
Chris and Rito and Ray and all these people and
and I'm missing so many.
Speaker 10 (19:56):
But well, what it's great they have a core group
and without you.
Speaker 3 (20:05):
That we couldn't do this. I'm asking a million dollar question.
Speaker 1 (20:09):
Did you ever think of did you think the pandemic
would forever ruin this or did you think we would
come back?
Speaker 10 (20:13):
Stra Well, we hoped it would come back, but it's
very hard to regroup. Yes, you lose a lot of evoluntieres.
I think I was only two years. Like everybody says,
go back to child all volunteers are all gone.
Speaker 11 (20:27):
But you know what else say about the games that
I've said since I've been competing since I was seven
year old. And when I go and talk to volunteer
people that were trying to get the volunteer, I'll always say,
once you come to the games.
Speaker 4 (20:40):
Once you're right, ok, you know we have people like
I'm going to name roup some more.
Speaker 11 (20:47):
I know you tell me I shouldn't do this, but
we have people like Chuck Hellinggan and Bob Fogerty. They
used to work for the state, and Chuck still works
for the state, but they don't even get paid to
come here, and at one.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
Point they weren't.
Speaker 11 (21:05):
They're just taking vacation time and coming because it is
that sense of family and this is what we do.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
So I didn't really have a concern that we weren't
going to come back in some form. I didn't know
what that form would look like. But like I said,
when you're hooked, you're hooked.
Speaker 3 (21:22):
And God has brought us all three together here. I
swear to God right now.
Speaker 10 (21:25):
And this woman great and well, we never see you anymore,
and you are one of my students. But we don't
see him, yeah, because he goes well because he's working in.
Speaker 11 (21:35):
And can I just say about Alex real quick, he's
better on one roller blade then even if I.
Speaker 3 (21:42):
Could walk, I'd be good on two feet. The man,
the man is a pro. He's got a.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
Way better radio voice than I'll ever have.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Well, my voice is a bit story right now. So
maybe that's what you do.
Speaker 4 (21:55):
These updates from the baseball sting.
Speaker 3 (21:57):
Him and you, my friend, are doing great.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Work, and I just want to say that this pandemic
did not ruin the games and it's it's made us
stronger and brought us together and strong and really nothing
can break these games.
Speaker 10 (22:11):
I swear to because they are so important to these children.
Speaker 3 (22:15):
They are so important. And is our website? You might
know is our website people, because I believe you.
Speaker 4 (22:20):
Can go to I believe there's a county website.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
I don't know the exact address, but I know we're
on Facebook at uh And by the way, I asked
a County Victory Challenge was what it was? But the
Games for Physically Challenged, that's the name for this. I
know everywhere we are again. I know we're back to
the Game for Physically Challenge.
Speaker 10 (22:36):
We had changed for a while because of monetary reason,
but we're right back there where we started out.
Speaker 11 (22:43):
Well, listen, Mama Peck and I just say, what a
pleasure this has been to be with you, first of all,
but to be on Alex's podcast isn't that great? I
think we were like five minutes, Alex, what time are
we at? How long have we been ypping for?
Speaker 3 (22:59):
I know I'm the raider guys supposed to maintain the clock.
But at this when I threw out the clock and
I said, let's do this. Not a good producer right now,
this is the best podcast I can make it, don't
we have?
Speaker 12 (23:10):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (23:10):
We do.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
Get out of here. We got I got the Ranger
on in thirty five minutes. What do I do?
Speaker 11 (23:17):
I know this is for your abilities podcast, right adefinitily
adapted ability. But since the Rangers are going to be on,
what's your prediction Tonight's game in this island?
Speaker 1 (23:30):
And I know we're right across from the coliseum where
the rain, where the aisles are no more. But I've
never been to ubs yet anyway, I think to Tampa
Bay Lightning tied up tonight.
Speaker 3 (23:39):
I mean if they go, if the Rangers go up
to nothing.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
I will be ecstatic, very firstly, but secondly stunned because
the Lightning are just they're so the Rangers are three,
and they're four and oh against this.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
Team right now, regular season included. If they go six
to oh, they have a very chance, a good chance
to beat them. Sure, so I'd be surprisingly win six oh.
Speaker 4 (23:59):
But hey, their home, Alex, you know what I'm doing
right now on them? Because you made that prediction.
Speaker 3 (24:04):
You're not gonna, I said the lightning.
Speaker 11 (24:07):
I'm gonna put one hundred dollars on the Rangers to
win the game. I'm gonna go on draft skiings right now,
do that, and I'm gonna put a wager on the game.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
By the way, I feel like everything's better on now.
I mean, it's just crazy. It's insane to me.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
And you know you're a Buffalo Saber fan. I'm sure right,
because oh absolutely so, we'll have you. Do you miss
Echel or was he No, we don't miss him.
Speaker 11 (24:32):
Listen, I know that's not what this podcast is about,
but you've been to end me back on we talked sports.
Speaker 3 (24:36):
He was not good for the locker.
Speaker 2 (24:38):
Room I have.
Speaker 3 (24:39):
And he did adapt dwell to Vegas either.
Speaker 11 (24:41):
I know. No. Well, look, they didn't make it pass
the first they didn't even make the playoffs, right, he
just chose you a franchise that had everything together, start
to finish great from day one.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
And they totally blew the whole thing up. And now
you look at Gerard.
Speaker 11 (24:55):
Goalan, who was the Vegas Gold Night coach welcome to
the Finals, and then took him to this semi final.
Speaker 4 (25:01):
No, now, coach of the Arrangers and the Rangers look
like they could be well on their way.
Speaker 1 (25:06):
Well how about this, If you're not tired of this,
why don't you guys come back tomorrow and give me
a day to recap from the games.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
I love that, I love it. I'll try.
Speaker 4 (25:13):
She's got a wedding, a wedding, tomorrow's got a wedding.
Speaker 10 (25:16):
So I believes people have the nerve to have the
wedding weekend of the games. How do they not know
because they don't realize the importance of this in all
of our lives. I might bring me as a date, right,
I might bring him as a date.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
Yeah, I'll do for you tomorrow night.
Speaker 4 (25:31):
Okay, what if I bring combos?
Speaker 5 (25:34):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (25:34):
He introduced me to combos this week? You know, no
combos is food. Oh yeah, the combos before.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
Condo.
Speaker 10 (25:50):
I never had them before any boy being put them
on my desk. Of course I had a desk this
year first on the thirty eighties.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (25:57):
Yeah, Well, I'm Alex Scartt. It's been a pleasure and
we will definitely have you guys back.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
If you're here tomorrow and wedding. Hello, thank you very much.
I'll love you both, and you guys mean a lot.
So thanks for being Thank you very much, thank you
for having me. You're welcome.
Speaker 10 (26:14):
I'm Alie, appreciate the publicity. Sure games, Yes, Kenny, Yes,
good challenge, and.
Speaker 3 (26:21):
I'm Alex S. Garrett and I always say well, we're
always adapting.
Speaker 1 (26:29):
Now. A couple of other Viscardi alums I want to
get to right now. Katie Wegglekowski, a mainstay at the
Games forever, had this to say when I talked to
her five years ago on Alex Garrett's one on the
Up Network.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
Any found memories you have of those games as well?
Speaker 4 (26:47):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 13 (26:48):
Yes, I've been in a competitor drift like you for
many many years, and I have had so many wonderful
memories of being on the track and feels and playing
rich about the ball you and my other teammates, and
winning state championship. It it brings back some memories.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
And if you see Katie, you probably see the next
guest I had on talk about the Games, Jessica Tambour,
and I want to get to her right now. Another
Viscardi alum who also opened up about the Games for
the physically challenge and what they meant.
Speaker 3 (27:22):
And mean to her.
Speaker 14 (27:25):
Since you were on the cover of the game's able paper,
which like a by the way, tell me what that
community is like to be there, nose and not only
as an athlete for the for the years you were
then there's a volunteer.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
I mean, we've been doing that for twenty plus years now.
Mm hmm.
Speaker 15 (27:45):
The Games is amazing because it let me like, it
allows me to be an athley like everyone else can.
And then now that I'm older, I can volunteer. I
ain't give it back to the younger kids show they
have the same experiences that I did oh.
Speaker 10 (28:06):
School.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
And then also.
Speaker 15 (28:10):
It was an honor to be on the cover of Abel.
I wasn't really expecting that until happen. And then they
called me up and and I was like, really you
want me to do and they're like, yes, we think
but everyone I said, okay, and here's my story. And
(28:32):
then I showed it to my whole family and my
friend and you have all the games.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
Was it sort of like the pipeline that we all
had through Muscardi or was it a different route or
how did you get.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
Involved missus Garny?
Speaker 15 (28:45):
You know, like I think I saw when I was like,
I have a picture of my dad like behind me
and I was on this like sea sort thing like
six years old. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (28:59):
Now we have surprise guests tonight on the podcast, Gabby Pisani,
who you've probably seen around the Games with me over
the years as well.
Speaker 2 (29:08):
What's the Games mean to you, baby?
Speaker 3 (29:11):
They mean a lot, you know.
Speaker 12 (29:13):
I used to do them for quite a few years
when I was a lot younger, and it just brings
so many people together showing support and showing appreciation for
athletics in our own way.
Speaker 2 (29:27):
So there you have it. A lums.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
The founder of the Games, Sue Gordon, Ryan, Mama Pat
Jordan Hu we all know in love and it was
great to see her Friday as well. And those who
cannot get on record or you know, maybe not wanted to,
but ed hebron Gott to give a shout out to
him and his dedication to the Games for now quarter
(29:52):
of a century, twenty five years and his family as well,
always showing up to support the kids. We cannot forget
my dad who was making this an event every year
from the age of when I was five. He made
sure to get us to the Games every year. Can't
forget the hostra folks that continue to support and how's
(30:15):
the athletes every single year? And I cannot forget Dominic
who continues to be at the Games. I saw Dominic
this Friday as well. So some pretty cool people still
around forty years later or earlier, you know, or thirty
(30:36):
years later, twenty five, They're still here no matter when
they joined the journey, they are still here and how
special is that? And of course can end this podcast
without saying forty years wouldn't have been possible if it
wasn't for the volunteer work of Jack and Carol Smith.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
And we miss them dearly, very much so as they
were a mainstay for many years.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
At the Games.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
To physically Challenged and to the three county executives that
have continued to run for the game's last fifteen years
and Mangano, Laura Kerrn and Kerran County Executive Bruce Blakeman,
thank you for continuing that mantle, for carrying that torch
(31:30):
for the adaptive athletes, for the disabled athletes of Long Island,
New York City then the Tristate area.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
We are ever.
Speaker 1 (31:39):
Thankful that you have continued this run for the Games
physically Challenged, and of course cannot forget the memories of
the you know Irish kids that came over and competed
in that exchange program. That comes to mind as well
every year in the May and.
Speaker 3 (31:57):
June, and that's that.
Speaker 1 (32:02):
Hopefully we'll have more people to bring on and talk
about these games as we have hit forty years, forty
years strong. As I said, no matter what happened in
twenty twenty, forty years strong for the Games physically challenged,
and it's been a real honor to be part of that,
A real opportunity that opened up when I was five
(32:27):
years old, and it's so good good to see all
the other kids have that opportunity. Wow, am I gonna
say this really at twenty.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Eight years later?
Speaker 1 (32:41):
And in the twenty eight years, I have to say,
though she was a little nervous, she was very supportive
as well.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
My mom and my stepdad Vick, always setting.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
Me up for success to head on the road with
my dad to these games with all the packing the
night before and you know, making sure we had all
the supplies ready to go for that weekend at the games.
I couldn't have done those weekends without them either. So
I want to give a shout out to my mom
and my stepdad Vic and to them for also storing
(33:19):
the medals that my friend Laura had saved up.
Speaker 3 (33:25):
All the golds that I had won over the.
Speaker 1 (33:27):
Years are still in our possession and proudly hanging in
my room in Queens and I think my mom and
my stepdad for keeping those safe as well, twenty eight
years in the making. I truly believe the Empires of
(33:49):
Games and NASA kind of games physically challenged have one
leg up for adaptive athletes in and around the Try
State are long lived.
Speaker 3 (34:00):
The game
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