Family Tradition: SOMI volunteer follows in father's footsteps on aquatic games committee
A 3-month-old John Drain III spent his first Special Olympics Michigan Summer Games in a stroller on the deck of the Rose Pool.
Drain or "JD," 25, first volunteered at the summer games aquatic events at the age of 10 with his father John Drain II.
It was a family tradition. Drain's father, Drain II, began volunteering for the summer games aquatic events as a Central Michigan University student in the late 80s. He became an aquatic games committee member.
Drain II would still be volunteering today had he not been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in Fall 2010. He eventually died from the disease in June 2015 at the age of 55.
"The crazy thing about M.S. is it hits everybody differently," Drain said. "We met people who have had M.S. for years, but it unfortunately hit my dad in a pretty aggressive manner. That’s the situation he was dealt. It’s very unfortunate obviously. M.S. is a tough disease.”
Drain II's devotion to SOMI never waived. His obituary reads, "Per John's request, donations may be sent to Special Olympics of Michigan located on the campus of Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI."
CMU 1989 graduate and 31-year SOMI volunteer Scot Donley of Grand Rapids first met Drain II while working as a Rose Pool lifeguard. Drain II was a Rose building administrator at the time. The two became friends volunteering for Special Olympics.
"The neat thing was John didn't let (M.S.) affect his personality," Donley said. "As his body was reacting to (the disease) he still had a great sense of humor and he still had a passion for Special Olympics. He always made us smile. JD has that great sense of humor too. He continues that passion for Special Olympics as well."
Before passing away, Drain II instilled the value of volunteering in his son JD that continues today. From the time he was a 10-year-old boy, running around the Rose Pool deck, to now leading the next generation of SOMI volunteers as an aquatic games committee member, Drain is following in his father's footsteps.
"John knew his disease was going to progress and he trained JD," said Ann Guzdzial, SOMI chief program officer. "He made sure the legacy of the aquatics event, which meant so much to John, lived on. JD has taken up that responsibility. It goes to show the love and dedication our volunteers have."
His mother, Beverly, and sister, Savannah, would occasionally come to the games — Savannah's role as a volunteer has since grown — but Drain said he and his father volunteered together consistently.
"It was an awesome influence on my life growing up," he said. "It was awesome in my college experience and I know my dad would say the same.”
His father was an "obnoxiously proud alumnus of CMU," Drain said. The pair often attended CMU football games in the fall.
A long-time swimming coach in Metro-Detroit, Drain II somewhat threw his son into the sport and tradition.
"I didn’t really start to appreciate it until my later teenage years, but it’s an awesome thing," Drain said. "Special Olympics is a great organization. It definitely contributed heavily to not only my college experience, but a lot of other student’s college experience at CMU. It’s a huge part of the school that I don’t think a lot of people realize. Other universities don’t offer something like it.”
In addition to volunteering for SOMI aquatic events throughout his college years at CMU, Drain was a member of CMU's Club Water Polo team.
"I essentially grew up on the pool deck, working Special Olympics before I became a student (at CMU)," he said.
The aquatic events began at 8 a.m. Friday in Rose Pool and conclude Saturday.
"It’s a long two days on the pool deck — especially when it’s hot and humid out," Drain said. "Everyone gets a little bit testy, but it is really rewarding and a lot of fun."
Cedar Springs native Heather Imbault has volunteered for the summer games for 14 years. A CMU alumnae, Imbault said she remembers a 9-year-old JD timing swimmers and running results from the deck to the scores table.
"He always had friends who came with him and all the kids would swim during breaks," she said. "They still do. It was a great experience for him."
Drain said this summer's aquatic games have gone smoothly with no issues.
Because the games have played a major role in shaping his life, Drain said the games bring back memories of his time with his father.
"It definitely invokes memories," he said. "A lot of the other games committee members have said the same thing, 'We love to see you up here. You remind us of your dad.'"
