Lessons Go Both Ways for Special Olympics Swim Coach
Debbie Ogden was just being her usual, helpful self.
The senior executive assistant in Cincinnati Children’s Development Department was at the Special Olympics state office in Frankfort, KY, two months ago, teaching the staff there how to use a new software program for swim teams. They told her they’d buy her lunch, which she thought was nice.
Debbie has been a swim coach for the Special Olympics since 2006. In fact, she is head coach of the Northern Kentucky Dolphins, the largest team in the state with swimmers from all over the Greater Cincinnati area.
On this particular January day, though, she was focused on software—and free lunch—until she saw a couple of her USA games swimmers walk in, then one of her assistant coaches, and finally, her daughter, Ashley, who lives in Louisville.
“That’s when I thought, okay, what’s going on?” she said.
The staff informed her that Special Olympics Kentucky had named her the 2022 Coach of the Year. But before she could get over that shock, Special Olympics USA announced on their website that she had been selected head coach of the Special Olympics USA swim team that will be competing at the World Games in Berlin this June.
It was quite a day!
How It All Started
Debbie’s involvement with Special Olympics began with her son, Robbie, who was born with partial Trisomy 4, a chromosome disorder. He loved to watch his older sister, Ashley, who swam competitively from the time she was 6 years old. When Robbie turned 8 in 1996, he was eligible to join the Special Olympics swim team.
Debbie Ogden offers some feedback to Halladay White during a Saturday afternoon practice session.
“He loved it,” recalls Debbie. “Because of his disorder, he didn’t sweat, so he couldn’t be outside in the summer unless he was in the water. So, swimming was the perfect sport for him. I still remember his joy at completing his first race. Of course, he also loved being around my daughter’s friends and all the hugs they gave him.”
Robbie swam with the team for as long as he could, but he had to stop in 2003 when his condition required the placement of a trach and a central line. Two years later, he passed away at age 17.
“In December, just a few months after his death, I got a call from a friend telling me that Northern Kentucky University (NKU) was no longer going to run the swimming program for the Special Olympics,” says Debbie. “She explained that another group was going to take it over, but they needed a coach. I told her no. I couldn’t go back. She was persistent though. After several more calls and opportunities to ‘think about it,’ she called and said, ‘I’m coming to pick you up.’ I said, ‘Never mind. I’ll drive,’ and I’ve been coaching ever since.”
Before COVID, Debbie had 100 swimmers on her team. Now, there are about 64, ranging in age from 8 to 43 years old.
“In Special Olympics, there’s no upper age limit,” she explains. “Swimmers are grouped by gender and ability. So, if you’re 30 years old and a fast swimmer, you’re going to be in the same group as a 12-year-old who’s fast.”
The Northern Kentucky season runs from October to June. The team practices every Saturday from noon to 2:30 at NKU. They participate in swim meets from March through June, which requires travel to other parts of the region. Debbie hosts one meet locally each year that draws athletes throughout the state.
For the World Games in Berlin, she’ll be leading a team of 9 swimmers from across the country, whom she coaches virtually.
“Their individual coaches send me videos of the kids swimming, and I give them tips on how to correct their technique or improve their time,” says Debbie.
In addition to coaching, there is paperwork to process—entry forms, medical forms, permissions and more. So, it’s a hefty time commitment. But Debbie is dedicated to her team.
Important Life Lessons
Being Robbie’s mom prepared Debbie well for her dual roles as a Special Olympics coach and advocate. From the time he was born, Robbie was under the care of specialists at Cincinnati Children’s, so she became an expert in looking after his medical, physical, social and emotional needs. From 2000-2008, Debbie served on the Family Advisory Council at the medical center where she worked to improve the patient/family experience. She was hired by Development in 2007 as a full-time employee and continues to play her part in making the Cincinnati Children’s vision and mission a reality.
Robbie taught her patience, which is crucial when coaching athletes of varying intellectual ability.
“Some learn by listening, some need to see a demonstration,” says Debbie. “You have to say the same thing in multiple ways and break it down into very easy directions. There are kids who seem to learn a skill during one session, then the next time, they’ve completely forgotten how to do it. But each time you explain it, they’re quicker to learn.”
Debbie chats with a Family Advisory Committee member in this undated photo.
Debbie with her children, Ashley and Robbie.
Some parents get frustrated with the process because they don’t see a lot of improvement in the beginning. Debbie reminds them that being in the water can be very scary for some of the kids, so it’s important to give them time to learn to trust their coaches.
“We push them to do more and get out of their comfort zone, but you can’t push them until you’ve built that trust,” she says. “I tell the parents, ‘Give them time. At the minimum, they’re going to learn social skills and how to be safe in the water.’”
Debbie has also learned that little things matter.
“Robbie and these athletes have shown me it’s important to slow down and appreciate what we have,” she says. “For instance, it might not seem like a big deal to put your eyes in the water, but for a kid with special needs, they may have a tactile aversion or they’re conquering a fear. We take so much for granted, but [with our athletes] nothing is for granted. Every accomplishment is a win, no matter how small.
“We treat these kids the same as everyone else. We tell them what we expect, and we don’t let them get away with saying, ‘I can’t.’ When they do succeed, they are so proud of themselves. Helping them develop self-confidence and boosting their self-esteem is more than I could ever ask for.”
Debbie is quick to give credit to her coaching team, some of whom have been with her since their high school swimming days.
“I couldn’t run this program without the assistant coaches, not with the number of swimmers we have,” she says. “I am very honored to be named Coach of the Year, but it should really be a team award. They are there every Saturday, working just as hard as I am.”
Looking Ahead
For now, Debbie and her coaching team are focused on the World Games, which run from June 17 to 25. Athletes and their coaches will arrive in Berlin a week ahead of that to help them get acclimated to their surroundings.
“The swimmers don’t travel with their parents,” says Debbie. “It’s just athletes and their coaches. The goal is to make the experience as much like the Olympics as possible. We’ll be staying in an Olympic village. Parents are not allowed to stay there. They can come and watch the games, but afterward, the kids will get on the bus and go back to the village. Parents can’t travel on the same plane either. It will be a challenge for the kids, since we’ll be gone almost three weeks.”
In the end, though, it will all be worth it—seeing the athletes compete on the world stage and hopefully win a medal.
“It’s such an exciting moment for them when they see that their hard work has paid off,” says Debbie. “But I always tell them it doesn’t matter what place you get. Even if you only improve your time by 100th of a second or don’t swim your best time at all, if you gave it everything you have and you swam your best for that day, then you’re a winner.”
Debbie congratulates one of her swimmers on a job well done.