By THERESA HOGUE
Gazette-Times reporter | Posted: Tuesday, November 6, 2007 12:00 am
When Daniel Bush's favorite teacher at Philomath High School, Saff Evans, began encouraging him to try out for the football team last year, he wasn't sure.
Bush, who was born with developmental disabilities, is enrolled in the Life Skills program at PHS, and although he loves sports, has usually limited himself to participation in the Special Olympics.
But when Bush's friends also joined in encouraging him to try out, he became determined to see if he could make the team. His mother, Glenda Bush, who said she has always encouraged her three sons to do what they want to do in life, agreed to support him, but didn't think the fascination would last long.
"I thought 'It will be too much and he'll quit,'" she said, but during his junior year, he tried out for junior varsity football.
"He made it through camp and daily doubles and here we are two years later," she said with a laugh.
Bush, now a senior, just turned in his varsity uniform after an exciting year as a defensive tackle. He didn't spend a lot of time on the field, but always received the support of his teammates whenever he played, and spent the rest of the games being the most vocally supportive member.
"I yell sometimes," he said with a grin. "Come on, you guys!"
Last year, he was named most inspirational player, and this year, his senior class voted him "Best Smile."
He smiles a lot, especially when talking about his girlfriend of a year, Shiloh Shandy. She's a senior at South Albany High School, and a fellow sports fan.
In fact, the two met during Special Olympics basketball. They celebrate their anniversary each month.He's participated in softball, track, bowling and soccer through Special Olympics, and recently placed third in state in golf. For his 18th birthday, his parents bought him a golf cart.
"He drives it around like nobody's business," Glenda said.
When he's not participating in one of his many sporting activities, like catching huge sturgeon with his dad, he volunteers at the Philomath Youth Activity Club, where he does custodial work and helps out at the front desk.
Bush is already looking forward to graduation, but like many seniors, he sees the future as a little scary.
"I'm a little nervous," he said. "I don't know what I'm going to do."
Glenda Bush believes her son will eventually be able to live on his own, perhaps in a nearby place like Corvallis where he could rely on public transportation. He's already talking about getting married to Shiloh and starting out life together.
While life is still uncertain, Glenda Bush is positive about her son's future.
"The thing I admire most about him is he's not afraid of anything," she said, "and he doesn't care what people think. That's a gift."
Bio
Who: Daniel Bush
Age:18
Hometown: Kings Valley
Favorite sport: Basketball
Motto: Work hard