By Nila Harris
FALMOUTH — After graduating from Pendleton County High School in 2020, Elijah Combs, son of Kurt and Judy Combs, Falmouth, was searching for something to do. He enjoyed being included in his youth group at Falmouth Baptist Church, but he and his parents were looking for additional things to keep him active and involved with others.
Elijah, who has Down Syndrome, began participating in the Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky. There is a year’s worth of activities to get involved in, and according to his mother, Judy, Elijah enjoyed basketball and bowling the best.
Although Elijah also liked swimming, he didn’t particularly care for swimming laps, Judy said.
After attending weekly practices at Southern Lanes in Alexandria, Elijah competed in the Northern Kentucky Special Olympics Regional Bowling Tournament on Oct. 26 at Walt’s Center Lanes in Newport.
Award ceremonies honoring the bowlers brought additional excitement for the group. This event created new challenges for Elijah, but he met them with a smile and determination to finish.
He wasn’t used to wearing a collared shirt and pants but ditched the usual T-shirt and shorts for the required bowling attire.
There were no bumpers set for the tournament which caused frustration for Elijah at first, but he quickly adapted.
Teams were set up differently too, with Elijah being placed with people he did not know, and parents were not permitted to be in the area near the competitors.
But even with the different course of events for Elijah, he came in fifth place and was happy to be a part of this.
Judy called coaches and volunteers “the unsung heroes in their communities.” Jude and Toni Zilliox, coaches for Elijah’s team, encouraged and cheered on the bowlers at their weekly practices.
Judy went on to illustrate how her son realized that he has a lot in common with the Special Olympians he interacts with.
“It’s a good social connection with like-minded people. It is a social and weekly organized exercise experience,” Judy said.
According to the Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky page on Facebook, it “is an all-volunteer organization offering sports and athletic training to individuals aged 8 and up with cognitive and related developmental disabilities. SONKY offers 13 events and activities that occur year-round.”