A Tale of Two Adams...

There are two Adams who are involved with the Plunge who mean the world both to Special Olympics Maryland, and to me.

The first is Adam Terry, Offensive Tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. He is a giant of a man at 6’8”, and an amazing asset to this year’s squad. He wears #78 and is part of the offensive line that is receiving rave reviews for securing the team’s playoff spot.

But it’s what this Adam does off the field that has endeared him to us. He has adopted Special Olympics Maryland as his charity of choice, literally jumping in with both feet in advocating for our athletes. His heart is as big as his frame, and for every ounce of toughness that comes out on the field, he has equal parts kindness for Special Olympics Maryland athletes.

In my career, I have been blessed with many opportunities to associate Special Olympics with professional athletes. We still point with pride to our relationship with #99 Michael McCrary. We were lucky to build a partnership and a friendship with a man of such caliber, but I can honestly say I thought it was a “once in a career” opportunity – I had my “Michael McCrary”! So imagine our surprise when we are blessed with another “Michael McCrary” in Adam Terry. Every bit as genuine and sincere in his passion for the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland, Adam is our second “once in a career” opportunity to continue making a difference.

We cherish our relationship with The Baltimore Ravens and we are forever grateful to two members of the Ravens PR team – Kevin Byrne and Marisol Renner – for introducing us to Adam. They instinctively knew he would be a great fit with Special Olympics Maryland, and they were absolutely right. (We also send a shout-out to Kevin’s awesome blog, “The Byrne Identity” – fun, insightful and a must-read!)

One of the things that we love about Adam is that he is willing to do whatever we ask him to. We really hadn’t known each other all that long and certainly didn’t know each other well when we first talked about the Super Plunge. He knew about the Plunge, but not about the 24-hour event that has become so popular over the last couple of years. And that conversation basically went like this: Me: “Adam – I know you have never even been to the Plunge and all of this is new to you, but it would be really great if you could be a part of the Super Plunge. You have to Plunge once every hour over a 24-hour period and help raise $10,000. Are you in?” Adam’s response was a smiling, “Hey, whatever you need man.” So Plunge he did, all 24 times. He smiled that big broad smile from beginning to end and even made it a family affair, bringing his then-fiance (now wife!) Marissa, his parents, his brother, and even a friend of his from New York – a young lady with an intellectual disability who was in his mother’s classroom and he developed a friendship with – to cheer him on and keep him company during the 24-hour event.

Someone like Adam Terry could easily “phone it in” when it came to supporting Special Olympics Maryland. But he know that by actually doing the Plunge, or by actually attending Summer Games, his impact is that much greater than if he simply wrote a check and wished us well. In fact, in the midst of one of the greatest Ravens seasons ever, he has taken time out to confirm his commitment to the Plunge, and talk shop with me.

Adam has lately been highly praised during NFL games for his passion, his drive and his burgeoning leadership of a young offensive line. And while Ravens fans everywhere are feeling lucky to have this mountain of a man on their team, there is another team – Special Olympics Maryland – that is feeling equally lucky to have his heart.

Adam Hays
The second Adam is another gentle giant – a man who is kind, considerate, humble to a fault, and anxious to learn something new each and every day. His name is Adam Hays, and among the many other things that define him is the fact that he is a Special Olympics Maryland athlete.

Adam walked into my life – with his size 14 feet! – about 10 years ago and I can say unequivocally that I am a better man for knowing him. As a life-long athlete I have great admiration and respect for the Adam Terrys of the world and the hard work that got them to where they are – but I have more profound admiration for what Adam Hays has accomplished than I do any other human being.

Where Adam Terry was blessed with strength and agility, Adam Hays struggles daily against his own body. In his 20+ years, he has endured more than 30 surgeries on his brain, suffered from seizures and debilitating pain, and has had to adapt to a body that is stronger on one side than it is on the other. Yet he is uncomplaining, choosing instead to be grateful for the things he can do, and the challenges he’d like to meet. (It doesn’t hurt his feeling his either that the only doctor he has ever has is none other than Dr. Ben Carson!)

I don’t know this for a fact, but one can only assume that along the way, Adam Terry had a coach or a mentor who supported his dream of playing in the NFL. Without that person, or those persons, he probably wouldn’t be where he is today. I have no qualms saying that the Special Olympics Maryland family has done the same for Adam Hays, allowing him to believe in the possibilities that exist and allowing him to grow as a man in a safe, protective and nurturing environment. I have joyfully watched his transformation and feel lucky to be a part of an organization that allows a man as good as Adam Hays to blossom and spread his own wings.

Adam is my friend, and a frequent visitor to my home. I enjoy his company and have developed a big brother/little brother relationship with him. That includes all the ribbing and teasing you would expect from a good guy friend. Having this kind of friendship is a privilege, and as a result of it I have been able to talk openly with Adam about what it’s like to live with a disability, and to be called “retarded”. In fact, Adam was involved in one of the greatest media moments SOMD has ever had – a moment when Mickey Cucchiella turned to him while we were live on the Mickey & Amelia show on 98 Rock and asked him, “Adam, how does it make you feel when someone calls you a ‘retard’?” What followed was the greatest few minutes of radio I have ever been involved in. I don’t think any of us has ever been the same since.

This year, both Adams are Super Plungers (unless of course AT is on his way to Tampa). This is noteworthy because while Adam Terry jumped on board immediately, Adam Hays has slowly come to the realization that he is capable of conquering this super-sized event. In a way, he has challenged a personal perception of his own weaknesses and I am thrilled to say that he has come to the conclusion that his disability needn’t stop him from participating in this just like Adam Terry does.

Toughness can mean many things, and in those shades of meaning it applies equally to both Adam Terry and Adam Hays. For Adam Terry, tough is facing off against some of the toughest defensive linemen in the league and coming out victorious. For Adam Hays, it’s waking up every morning with a smile on his face and a positive attitude, despite the hurdles he has to overcome.

Get Happy. Get Your Plunge On.

I turned on The Today Show several weeks ago and caught a fascinating story. According to Dr. Nancy Snyderman’s report, happiness is contagious. It’s like a virus that can spread to friends, and even friends of friends.

Imagine that – something positive like happiness can actually be “spread” like a cold. I smiled to myself while watching it.

And then it hit me. For years (and even in the very first installment of this blog) we have scratched our heads and wondered why the MSP Polar Bear Plunge works, why it has continued to grow, and why it has become such a tradition for so many thousands of people. But now I know, and it’s really very simple. It makes people happy. I hear the snickers – but it’s profoundly simple – this event and the people it attracts are EXACTLY what this piece was referencing.

And that happiness is caught by their friends, who decide that they too want to be a part of the fun. And then the friends of those friends get in on the act. This event has caused a veritable epidemic of happiness that last year alone directly affecting 10,000 participants. Of course, the real number is much higher because the joy that they felt certainly rubbed off on their friends, and friends of friends. There just might be no end to this happy flu!

What is really cool about this is that it’s backed up with facts. I encourage you to read for yourself the full article that appeared on MSNBC.com that morning. In there you’ll see facts like this one: every happy person in your social network increases your own chance of cheer by 9 percent. Even better is this one: the effects of catching someone else’s happiness last up to ONE YEAR. (Source: British Medical Journal)

This quote from the article resonated with me. “Happiness is a social emotion. It’s an emotion that we derive from social events, and very typically it becomes important for cementing the social connections we have with others,” said Jack Dovidio, a Yale University social psychologist who was not involved in the study. “Happiness is not simply about me.”

I don’t think I need to tell anyone who Plunges that happiness is bigger than just themselves. You already know that because you are doing this for the world’s happiest charity – Special Olympics Maryland. If you want unconditional happiness and sheer unadulterated joy, hang out with a Special Olympics athlete for the day. You’ll quickly understand that while these folks are labeled “disabled” they have wonderful abilities that many of us do not – including the ability to find good cheer and a smile.

But now…now, you have proof that participating in the Plunge is not just good for you – it’s good for your friends and family members. Doing something that makes you happy, will also make them happy. In fact, having a great time at Plungapalooza for just one day, could spread cheer to your social network that could last them a full year. We’ve been saying for years that the cold is temporary but the positive effects of jumping into the Bay last a lifetime for the athletes it benefits – well here is proof that in your own circles that cold deed will bring a full twelve months of joy.

Turning on the TV to this very happy story last week was a great piece of luck for me – something that in and of itself made me smile. And let’s face it – right now, we could all use something to smile about. These are tough times we are in, and no one can say when it’s going to end. I don’t for one minute mean to insensitively imply that participating in the Plunge is some magic potion for someone who has lost his or her job due to the economy, or is struggling to make ends meet. We are heartbroken to hear that anyone within this larger Plunge community has been negatively affected by the state of affairs in this country right now. We are also overwhelmed by the generosity that so many people have shown to date, despite the economic turmoil that rules the day.

What I am saying is that I finally understand why this event is what it is. It’s a tradition, and it’s for a good cause, and it’s a rite of passage, and people do it on a dare. Yes, all of those things remain true. But really, it just makes people happy. We are proud to run the world’s largest open air wellness clinic!

I know this for a fact, because I caught the bug from each and every one of you. Our athletes are blessed by your smiles. Plunge on…

Polar Normal Investigations Launches First Episode

I am thrilled to announce that a project we have been working very hard to complete has finally been released! Please read below for the official release on "The Polar Normal Investigation" video series, and the release of episode 1 - The Plunge Quest. I also want to thank both Aerotek and Take-One Digital Media Works for helping to make this whole project a reality. Enjoy the show! Click here to see all the fun for yourself.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Kelley Schniedwind
December 1, 2008 PH: 443.386.7965

“Polar-Normal” Investigation Team Sets Out to Uncover What Makes the MSP Polar Bear Plunge So Cool
Multi-Part Web-Based Video Series Promoting the Successful Fundraiser for Special Olympics Maryland Launches Wed., Dec. 3

Baltimore, MD – What is it about jumping into the Chesapeake Bay in January that creates such a fever in so many people? Viewers are invited to log on to www.plungemd.com every Wednesday now through January 21 and find out as series stars Detective Rick McCool and his super-savvy assistant Cathy take on a case of “polar-normal” activity in this 8-part web-based series created to generate excitement for the upcoming MSP Polar Bear Plunge.

Dubbed “The Polar-Normal Investigations”, the series is part Mickey Spillane, part X-Files, part Mission Impossible, part Blades of Glory and totally silly. Starring local actors Frank A. Lama, Bridget Palm, Michael Dunlop and Special Olympics Maryland’s own Jimmy Myrick, Jr., this series finds investigator McCool and his team uncovering “polar-normal” activity around Maryland while in pursuit of the missing Tahiti Tom, owner of Tom’s Hot Tub Emporium.

Beginning December 3, new episodes will drop every Wednesday, and viewers can follow along as McCool, Cathy and uber-polar techie Jimmy Myrick uncover clues that help them keep on Tahiti Tom’s ice cold trail. While McCool does lose his cool more than once in his search for the hot tub king, the case ultimately leads to a revelation of polar proportions for the ice-phobic investigator.

Presented by Aerotek and Produced by Take One Digital Media Works in Annapolis, the series is intended to generate both laughs and excitement for the 13th Annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge set for Saturday, January 24 at Sandy Point State Park.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have had such amazing support for this fundraiser over the past 12 years, but we owe it to the event’s loyal participants and spectators to keep things fresh and fun,” said Tom Schniedwind, Exec. VP of Sports Marketing for Special Olympics Maryland. “Now more than ever, we need to re-define ourselves and do something that will set us apart from the pack. We think that this series – as silly as it is – does that while still keeping at its core the message that all of this craziness is about one thing: the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland.”

Even with the humorous presentation of the message in these webisodes, it does seem that the annual event has become something of a rite of passage or a winter-time tradition for thousands of people around the region. Last year the event set another new record, attracting 10,000 participants and raising over $3 million for Special Olympics Maryland. And registration for the January 24, 2009 event -- dubbed Plungapalooza 09 featuring the MSP Polar Bear Plunge XIII -- is in fact a whopping 40% ahead of this same time year, despite a sagging economy.

New episodes of The Polar-Normal Investigations can be viewed on the official Plunge website (www.plungemd.com), or on the event’s Facebook site (Friend “Plunge Maryland”). For more information about the Plunge, visit the website or call 410-789-6677.

SOMD is a year-round sports organization dedicated to providing quality sports training and competition opportunities to Maryland’s children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or closely related development disabilities. SOMD currently serves 10,000 athletes statewide, and offers 28 sports, all at no cost to the athletes or their families. For more information about SOMD visit www.somd.org or call 410-789-6677 x117.

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Sharin' the Plunge Love

I love the Plunge. I love everything about it. As a part of the management team, I love the frenetic pace around our office leading up to the event, the crazy phone call questions (whether or not it is “legal” to cover oneself in Vaseline is a popular one), the long hours and countdown to Plunge day, and the moments of levity that keep us sane and smiling along the way.

I am filled with pride every time I see a man at a Graul’s Market or a woman at the mall wearing a Plunge sweatshirt. I almost drove off the road the first time I saw another car on the road with a PBP sticker, I was so excited. And I still smile and honk every time I see one.

As a member of the Super Plunge team, I also love the nervous anticipation I still get right before the big moment – actually, all 24 of them! I love the camaraderie amongst the participants, and the outpouring of emotion that inevitably occurs as we near the 24th and final Plunge.

But most of all, I love the stories that we hear and those amazing moments of humor and humanity that we witness along the way. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that this silly event impacts everyone that participates, in ways both large and small. It has become a way to connect to others, and a reminder that there’s always room in life for a little fun. In my 13 years, I have been moved to both laughter and tears countless times by countless people and I want to begin sharing those stories with you.

Rick “Schniedwind” – Super Plunger At Last!
There is a young man who Plunges who has received a great deal of attention over the last 2 years for selling his body in order to raise money for the Plunge. No, it’s not what you think! Rick morphs into a human billboard, selling the right to “advertise” on certain parts of his body on Plunge day. Well, in the “small world” category it turns out that my wife used to coach his sister’s youth lacrosse team, and he is also my neighbor. So several months ago, we receive a phone call at home from his mother who wants to know if we will adopt Rick. What?! She noticed on the website that family members were teaming up to take part in the Super Plunge and said all he had talked about since January was his desire to do the 24-hour event. So would I adopt Rick so he could participate? She did promise that she would continue to clothe and feed the young lad, and even offered to do some volunteer work herself. What could I say? Say hello to Rick “Schniedwind”, Super Plunger at last!

Fio’s Plunge
Another young man did experience the Super Plunge in January, and under some pretty tough circumstances. Nick sadly lost his father to esophageal cancer in May of 2007 (visit http://www.fiofoundation.org/ for more information). His dad was Michael Fiorelli, former SOMD Board Member and a man beloved by many – including me. Mike was a veteran Plunger, and was instrumental in introducing us to the Ravens organization. The initials “MAF” were embroidered on the Super Plunge uniform in his memory. It therefore seemed fitting to invite young Nick to be a part of the event, allowing us to both get to know him and to celebrate his dad’s life. We didn’t quite know what to expect upon Nick and his mom Tina’s arrival, and we told Nick all along that he could Plunge if he wanted and that he certainly did not have to undertake all 24. Well if we questioned how he would react to the whole experience at the beginning, there was no doubt by the end. Nick had a blast! He Plunged all 24 times, barely slept, and just generally enjoyed being a kid again for 24 hours. For many of us who had the privilege of knowing Mike, one of the highlights of the event was the brief dedication we did to him that evening. For every Plunge after that, every Super Plunger touched a hat on the way out to the water – a symbolic gesture that made us all think of Mike and a small way of keeping his spirit alive.

For me, the best part of the 2008 Super Plunge was seeing Nick’s smile. For Nick, I’d like to think that it was getting to be a part of his dad’s world, even when his dad was no longer in it.

The Dancing Penguins
There are some groups that the cameras love and the Dancing Penguins certainly fit that bill. I have never met anyone from this group personally, but somehow every photographer catches them, and I have always admired their fun-loving spirit. Well this year we finally got a little insight into this costumed group and it turns out it was the determination of one 11-year-old that got the whole ball rolling. After watching the Plunge, she announced to her mom that they ought to start a team themselves so they could help. Well, start a team she did! Five years later, the now-16-year-old Plunger is leading a team of more than 20 members. As part of their fundraising tactics, they take full advantage of Halloween. Sporting their Plunge penguin gear, they displayed photos from the 2008 event and passed out flyers asking for support.

Are the Dancing Penguins all that unique in what they are doing and how they do it? Probably not. But they ARE a great example of how one person really can make a difference. Because one 11-year-old girl took the initiative, an entire group of people have embraced the energy and excitement of the event and made it their own. And because they own a little piece of the fun, there are also making life a little happier for some Special Olympics Maryland athletes out there. (check them out at http://somd.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=280324&lis=1&kntae280324=FE16AF6F1D9A4E679CDA5957BB025E7C&team=3197551)


Perhaps the most touching part of this whole story is that I know all of this because of an email we got on the team, signed “One Proud Mom.”

As you may have guessed – this event is more than an event to me and to everyone here at Special Olympics Maryland. For every story we post there are a dozen more just like it that we know about and probably 10x more that we don’t. The people who Plunge and the stories they share have become the fabric of the event – creating a crazy colorful quilt that I wouldn’t trade for all the world.

So do you have a story to share? Email us at plunge@somd.org! Visit our website at http://www.plungemd.com/.

Until next time…

Tom

For at least as many years as we’ve been organizing this event, we’ve been asked -- and even asked ourselves -- why it is that so many people willingly jump into the Chesapeake Bay in the dead of winter. And while I don’t pretend to have a concrete answer, in my 13th year I do have a few theories.

First and foremost – it’s just plain fun. I recently did a Google search on the benefits of cold water, and found a treasure trove of information on how cold water therapy – long popular in Europe but slow to catch on in the US – is actually good for your health. It enhances mood, boosts your immune system, increases blood flow and can even reduce pain and inflammation. Anyone remember retired Raven Mike McCrary laughing during a television interview about how the Plunge was the one day a year that his tortured knees felt okay? Turns out there’s a ton of scientific research to back that up.

But fun only gets you so far. Fun gets old. Fun doesn’t necessarily continue to grow for 13 years. And so I submit to you that the Plunge is more than just fun. It’s a build-up of excitement and anxiety, followed by a rush of adrenaline hard to find as we slog through our daily to-do lists. Don’t believe this? Plunge one time and try to do so without screaming or laughing or cursing or whatever bursts forth from your mouth involuntarily upon impact with 30-something degree water. At the very least, you know you are alive.

It’s also an easy way for the average mortal to embrace his or her wild side without risking life and limb. Not everyone wants to climb Everest or jump out of an airplane. But everyone wants a little adventure, and spending a festive day at Sandy Point State Park surrounded by family and friends while you simultaneously work up the nerve to actually run shrieking into the Bay is just the taste of crazy that most of us need.

And finally – and this last point couldn’t be more pertinent than in today’s economy – it’s a cheap thrill. We are all nervous about the economy. Some might even be scared. But in a world where you can’t put gas in your car, buy groceries or take a hot shower without feeling it in your wallet, isn’t it nice to know that the cost of letting go of the weight of the world for a few hours is still just $50? And it’s a good value too. I’m proud to say that despite some stumbles along the way, we have a good solid event that offers quality customer service and a positive experience. In today’s time, there is something to be said for that.

And that brings me to my final point of this first blog – and that is that we expect a successful 13th Annual Plunge because having something positive to look forward to couldn't come at a better time. The Plunge is more than just an event, more even than an experience (as we are fond of saying)…it has morphed into a reunion for a big, crazy family that gets together maybe just once a year, but all year long looks forward to the party. This event is not a corporate giant and certainly doesn’t fit in with the black-tie crowd. It transcends politics, bringing together folks from all walks of life to unite in the craziness of it all. This event is pure Bawlmer, hon! In fact it’s as much a part of the fabric of the community as the Ravens or the Orioles are – and we are proud to say it is popular among players from both teams.

It is, you might say, the anti-black tie event -- built one fun-loving, good-hearted Plunger at a time, until last year there were 10,000 of us. And we believe that there will again be 10,000 (or more) of us standing on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay on Saturday, January 24 because a little piece of the Plunge belongs to every person out there who has helped to build it over the last 13 years, making it the most successful fundraiser in Maryland. And if I know the people who make this event great, then I know that they aren’t going to miss out on the opportunity to Get Their Plunge On in 2009!

We have much Plunge fun in store for you come January so stay tuned to this blog, the website, your email and all around you for updates on what to expect when you Get Your Plunge On in January.

P.S. In case you needed any convincing…remember those hot showers I mentioned above? If you start “Plunge Training” now, you can both save on your energy costs AND be Plunge-ready come January. Go Green – Take the Plunge!