Carlson: Why OSU softball player Chelsea Alexander is spearheading a massive fundraiser for Special Olympics
STILLWATER — Chelsea Alexander scans the stands for her brother before the start of every game.
She waves one hand, then both hands.
“To make sure he sees me,” she says.
For as long as the Oklahoma State outfielder has played softball, her youngest brother, Caden, has been there. The 12-year-old has Down syndrome, and being at Chelsea’s games has always been among his favorite activities. Alexander believes it is one of the things that enriches Caden’s life.
He meets new people. He sees new places. He tries new things.
“Finding something that you love to do and challenges you in a way that makes you grow,” Alexander said, “that’s what anybody’s looking for.”
That motivated her years ago to get involved with Special Olympics. After volunteering and helping and even raising money for Special Olympics when she was at Latta High School near Ada, she is now taking her passion to a new level.
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She has partnered with Darren Shrum, husband of OSU president Kayse Shrum, to launch The Chilly Cowboy. The fundraiser includes an auction during the men’s basketball game Saturday, then culminates Monday with a polar plunge involving OSU athletes, coaches and administrators.
Raise $10,000, and Cowboy coaches Mike Gundy and Mike Boynton will have to brave the icy waters.
“It’s gonna be great to see Gundy get his hair wet,” Darren Shrum said with a smile. “I can’t wait.”
All proceeds go to Special Olympians from the area and to the Oklahoma's Special Olympics Summer Games, which are held in Stillwater. Alexander hopes The Chilly Cowboy will open more doors to more people with special needs.
After all, she knows how important opportunities have been for Caden.
Alexander was 9 when he was born, so she remembers when the family learned he had Down syndrome. The Alexanders had fears. Tears, too. But from the start, they never excluded Caden.
That meant he went to everything Chelsea and brother, Chanse, did. Sports. 4-H. FFA.
Along the way, parents Daimon and Joey watched for things Caden seemed interested in. He liked sports, but watching took precedence over playing. He never was much for all the animals on the family farm — Chelsea and Chanse showed goats — but Caden did seem to like cows.
His parents decided to buy a miniature Hereford and see if Caden wanted to show it.
It was like a key in a lock.
“That’s become Caden’s thing,” Chelsea said. “It’s really helped him grow.”
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She knows Special Olympics has the same effect on thousands of Oklahoma kids and adults with special needs. She has seen it over the years as she’s volunteered with Special Olympics, meeting the athletes and hearing their stories.
“It helps them grow and learn new things,” she said. “It gives them challenges.”
And she has seen how challenges have enhanced Caden’s life. Sure, getting in a livestock ring and showing cattle has expanded his horizons, but there are smaller moments that hold great meaning, too.
Recently, Caden traveled with his mom and dad to one of Chelsea’s tournaments. They went to dinner at Red Lobster, and when the cheesy biscuits came, Caden wasn’t interested.
“He hates bread,” Chelsea said.
But she challenged him.
“Hey, will you try this biscuit?” she said. “It’s a Red Lobster biscuit. Everybody knows how good these are.”
“I dunno,” he said.
Eventually, Caden gave it a try.
“Eats a whole biscuit,” Chelsea said. “Then I got him to try a piece of coconut shrimp. Doesn’t really like the breading. Doesn’t really like shrimp.”
She smiled.
“He ate like two pieces of it, the big ones.”
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Alexander knows that might seem insignificant to some, but she wants Caden to experience the fullness of life.
She wants everyone with special needs to have that opportunity.
That’s why she has taken the responsibility of launching The Chilly Cowboy. Even though she’s a fifth-year senior and an integral part of an OSU softball team with championship aspirations, she couldn’t pass up the chance to do this. The funds will help eliminate barriers for participation in Special Olympics.
Alexander believes the more people involved, the better.
And since she found a partner in Darren Shrum, who has been involved with special-needs children and adults since he was in college and expects to be in Stillwater for many years to come, Alexander believes this timing was meant to be. A gift from God, really. Yes, she’s had lots on her plate in recent months, but the payoff is that this fundraiser could continue for years to come.
“This is not going to be a one-time, done deal,” Shrum promised. “We want this to last forever.”
Where The Chilly Cowboy is concerned, the water will be frigid.
But the hearts will be warm.
Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at 405-475-4125 or jcarlson@oklahoman.com. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
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Want to help?
The Chilly Cowboy fundraiser will support local Special Olympics athletes and help fund Oklahoma's Special Olympics Summer Games, held every year in Stillwater. Here's what's happening:
Saturday: Live and online auctions will be held. The live auction will be during halftime of the OSU men's basketball game and will include a Mike Gundy autographed helmet from the Fiesta Bowl. The online auction can be found at www.classy.org/campaign/chilly-cowboy/c386703.
Monday: A polar-plunge event involving OSU athletes, coaches and administrators will take place at noon at the OSU Student Union Plaza. Who takes the plunge will be determined by how much money is raised. Visit www.classy.org/campaign/chilly-cowboy/c386703 for more information.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSU softball: Chelsea Alexander driven by brother with Down syndrome
