Adam Felker does not remember how he became so interested in sports. All he knows is, for as long as he can remember, he has loved them.
“I guess I started playing when I was 4 or 5 years old,” Felker said. “Whether it’s on television or playing them, I have just always loved sports.”
Felker got the chance to play on one of the biggest stages during the Special Olympics in June. He was a member of the New Jersey softball team that won a silver medal.
“It was a lot of fun,” Felker said. “I got to play a lot of different positions, and winning was great.”
Felker plays softball all year and his mom, Donna, credits the Special Olympics with allowing him to stay active.
“The Special Olympics is a phenomenal program,” she said. “We’re not a sports family, but Adam just loves them so much and the Special Olympics has allowed him to keep playing. He’ll be able to play forever, and that is wonderful.”
The Special Olympics is not the only program that has made a difference in Felker’s life, though. As part of the Jewish Family and Children’s Service, Felker began working at the Voorhees administration office eight years ago.
“The program allows those with special needs to work in Voorhees,” Township Administrator Larry Spellman said. “Adam has been a great addition to our office. He is someone everyone looks forward to seeing in the morning.”
In the office, Felker is always ready to do whatever task is asked of him, a trait he learned on the softball field.
“You always have to be ready to do whatever you’re asked to do,” Felker said. “It’s like a family in the office, the same way it’s like a family in sports.”
Now that the Special Olympics are over, Felker will be rejoining his local recreation team and resuming his work at the administration office.
“It was a great experience and I definitely want to do it again,” Felker said. “I’m going to keep playing until then so I can get better and play even better at the next Special Olympics.”
The opportunities to play in the offseason are much more difficult, according to his mom. There are far fewer special needs teams available, but she does not let that hold her back from allowing him to continue to do what he loves.
“Between the Special Olympics and his job with the township, he will be able to stay active,” Donna said. “Both of these programs have had a huge impact on his life, and they have taught him a lot. They are great programs, and they make the kids feel important, which is something that is hard to find.”
