Special Olympics brings Newton man closer to brother

“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

The Special Olympics athlete oath is one that all SO athletes live by, one that two Newton brothers know all about.

Kenard and Kyler Prunty are brothers with intellectual disabilities who have become closer through their shared participation in the Special Olympics of Iowa. Together, they support, encourage and train.

Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization that strives to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition.

Special Olympics Iowa serves nearly 11,000 Iowans with intellectual disabilities, participants and Unified Sports Partners, according to its website.

Kyler, 27 years old, has tuberous sclerosis complex, a disease that creates tumors which affects his organs and his speech.

“We were told that he wasn’t going to live until the age of 11, and so we made it a point to do everything we could possibly get our hands in,” Vickie said.

He now lives in Marshalltown and has served on the SOI Board of Directors as an athlete for two years, having the privilege to see how the organization works and operates on the administrative side. Kyler started participating in SO as a child.

Kenard, 32 years old, has cognitive disabilities and had an Individual Education Plan in school and struggled with comprehension. He lives independently in Newton at Capstone apartment and works at Walmart. However, Kenard didn’t start until 2009, after the lead of his brother.

Their mother, Vickie Wieck, and step-father, Marvin act as their coaches and number one fans.

Kenard always went on trips to Ames and Dubuque with his family to support his brother, Kyler. After helping chaperone a skiing and winter games trip, he came home and asked Vickie, ‘Do you think I can do this?’

From there the two become very involved and active in the organization. Both are athletes. Both are coaches. Both are Global Messengers.

“The GM program is designed for athletes who want to spread the word regarding what Special Olympics has done for them, what it does for others and how it makes them feel,” Vickie said.

The spend time attending speech workshops that teach them speech etiquette and proper dressing.

“SO has changed my life and Global Messengers saved me,” Kenard said.

Kenard starting participating in the Special Olympics because he was acquainted with the caring, joyful, cooperative environment. He saw the extended family and friends his brother had made.

“Kyler is more athletic than me but he has inspired me, and he made me so proud of him and myself,” Kenard said. “He and Kathy Irving (SOIA Director of Special Programs) have been my inspiration to do the best I can do and to be involved as much as I can in Global Messengers.”

Kenard’s favorite SO sporting event is unified golf. Unified golf is an annual event in the fall where a person with no disabilities is partnered with a person with special needs and they play golf together at Jester Park in Johnston.

“I get together with my partner, we share the event, laugh and we are a team. We’re friends,” Kenard said.

Kenard’s unified golf partner is Dan Downing from Creston who has participated with him each year.

“Dan has a love for disabilities and love for people with mental illnesses. He and Kenard have a wonderful bond,” Vickie said.

Kenard and Kyler competed in the winter Olympics — Kyler in downhill skiing and Kenard in cross country skiing. They both received medals and enjoyed seeing their friends.

“SO has changed Kenard’s life,” Kyler said. “He is more confident in himself and is meeting and making true friends. We went to the 2010 Nationals in Nebraska and won gold for the Iowa Volleyball team but bonded as brothers.”

This spring, Kenard will be helping with the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run car show and participating in athletics. He an his brother are looking forward to continuing to speak out about what the SO has done for each of them, spreading the word about the wonderful organization, the SOI.

The goal of the Marvin, Vickie, Kenard and Kyler is to spread awareness of the Special Olympics and to encourage others to get involved.

For more information about how to participate in an event or volunteer to help, visit www.soiowa.org or call (515) 986-5520.

Marvin and Vickie feel that individuals who work and volunteer with athletes in the Special Olympics of Iowa are a true blessing. The time, dedication and service they give to others brings joy and life many individuals like their sons.

Staff writer Kate Malott may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 422, or at kmalott@newtondailynews.com.