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Our Arkansan of the Week has been helping people with disabilities for nearly 30 years. He's not a doctor or a therapist. He simply gives them a reason to smile.
Every year since 1981, Jack Truesdell is at the Arkansas Special Olympics’ Basketball Skills Competition.
Jack helped start it--and has never missed it since.
(Jack Truesdell, Arkansan of the Week) “Four or five years into it, in the late '80's, we had 350 participants there.”
This year, nearly 200 showed up--from schools all over the state--for a day of dribbling, passing, and shooting. All followed by ribbons and medals. And it's not just children participating. On Thursday, the youngest was eight; the oldest in her late 60's.
Many have come every year since it began. And, it's not because they love basketball.
(Truesdell) “For them it's something different--a day away from school, and something different from whatever routine they're in. And it's a chance for them to meet other people.”
Jack first began working with disabled Arkansans when he organized a Boy Scout troop for residents at the Alexander youth home. Now, decades later, he still helps out, because he says the kids and adults get something out of it--and so does he.
(Truesdell) “My problems are small, when you compare them with people with serious disabilities. Most of them are so cheerful. I always try to get them to smile. I tell them, ‘You'll do better with a smile on your face.’ It's a very gratifying experience.”
And he recognizes the need to pass it on, too. Jack says his biggest pleasure is watching the dozens of Junior Civitan members from Little Rock Central who volunteer.
(Truesdell) “I think they're learning something real important. That's the idea of the Junior Civitan is to get our junior high and high school-aged kids in the habit of doing things in their community, and doing things for people who need help.”
If you'd like to nominate someone to be our Arkansan of the Week, send an e-mail to scottinman@katv.com.
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