Beating the odds
Carlisle named SpartanNash Healthy Athlete of the Year
Thomas Carlisle learned about different types of cancer in a small library at the Lemmon-Holton Cancer Pavilion in Grand Rapids.
After he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2010, the Sparta native adopted healthy habits — including exercise, yoga and paying attention to nutrition labels — in hopes of keeping his cancer under control. After losing more than 170 pounds and participating in Special Olympics Michigan, Carlisle was named SpartanNash's Healthy Athlete of the Year.
Every year, he looks forward to reciting the Special Olympics athlete oath, which is "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." The oath is something Carlisle lives by not just in competition but in every facet of his life.
"I never give up," he said. "No matter how challenging things are for me, I always do my best in everything I try."
Tom's mother, Rhonda Carlisle, described her son as "amazing and inspiring." Now in his third year of aquatics, Carlisle finds himself teaching other SOMI athletes yoga poses between events.
"The autism doesn't doesn't allow him to understand the impact he has on the everyone around him," Rhonda said. "These kids know who he his, they appreciate him and they look up to him."
Carlisle, who has competed in Special Olympics for 16 years, will face his fellow athletes in poly hockey and aquatics. He previously competed in bocce and basketball.
Between training and working part time at Goodwill in Alpine, Carlisle walks from his house to Family Fitness in Sparta and works out for three hours every day. He is also a goaltender for the Grand Rapids Sled Wings, an adaptive hockey program for people with physical disabilities.
"I want Tom to thrive," Rhonda said. "I want people (with disabilities) to live to their full potential. Existing gets you nowhere, thriving in your abilities gets you places.”
More than 50,000, 24-pack cases of water will feature Carlisle's image in 500 stores in Michigan. SpartanNash has been the sponsor of the Michigan Special Olympics Summer Games for 33 years. SpartanNash associates also prepare meals for hundreds of volunteers throughout the Summer Games.
