Newtown Woman Named A Special Olympics Medalist

By Jan Howard

A Newtown woman won two medals in the Norwalk Special Olympics held during a weekend in June at Southern Connecticut State University.

Amy Giordano, who has been a resident of Newtown for three years, lived in Norwalk for 17 years and graduated from Norwalk High School in 2000. She is employed at The Homesteads at Newtown.

She has participated in the pentathlon in the Olympic games for 18 years, and for 15 of those years she won at least two gold awards, sometimes one for the event and another for all-around athlete. This year she came away with copper and silver awards.

The pentathlon is a series of five events, the 400 and 100-meter races, long and high jump, and shot put. Each event is scored, and then the five are totaled.

“The 400 and 100-meter races are her best events,” Roberta Giordano, Ms Giordano’s mother, said. “She has been running since she was 8 years old.”

Ms Giordano also plays volleyball and floor hockey with the Unified Team of Special Olympians and special partners. This year the Unified volleyball team took second place.

While in high school, Ms Giordano ran with the cross-country team for one year and mainstreamed for gym classes.

When Ms Giordano moved to Newtown with her family, she decided to stay with the Norwalk Special Olympics team, where she has made many friends.

Her brothers and sisters and parents have participated in her Olympic activities, Mrs Giordano explained. “At one time or another, we were all involved.”

Ms Giordano, who is the third of five children, always helped out with her younger siblings, Mrs Giordano said. “She’s always been just one of the kids.”

Ms Giordano participates in the torch run each year, and in 1995, she took part in the World Games.

During the Special Olympics, participants stay in the school dorms and have a pizza party and dinner dance, which Ms Giordano thoroughly enjoys. In addition to her Olympic games, she loves to dance and listen to music.

To prepare for the Special Olympics, Ms Giordano practices once a week for six weeks prior to the event. “For the summer games, she does a lot of walking,” Mrs Giordano said.

Ms Giordano found her job at The Homesteads at Newtown through Education Connection, which helps young people get out on their own on a job, Mrs Giordano explained.

Pat Monplasiar, her job coach, is funded through the Department of Mental Retardation. “She teaches Amy the basics of her job, and new things about the job,” Mrs Giordano said. “The point is to work down so she can do some work on her own.”

Ms Giordano started as a volunteer and progressed to a paid position. Part of her job at The Homesteads is to help people in and out of the therapeutic pool.

“She is a major asset to this place,” Homesteads Director Dana Paul said.

“The residents love seeing Amy every day and enjoy having her work with them,” Patty Forbes of The Homesteads said. “They simply adore her. She’s exceptional.”

Linda Silberstein, owner of The Homesteads with her husband Dr Morton Silberstein, said, “Her beautiful smile is really wonderful every day. It really cheers us up… She’s a wonderful person to have here.”