Special Olympian Wins Gold with Encouragement from Salvation Army Thrift Store Family

Special Olympian Kyle Weaver (second right) feels part of the family at The Salvation Army Thrift Store National Recycling Operations (NRO) St. Catharines location with the support of team members Linda Book (right), store manager Mike Nitsch (second left) and Dawn Goodnough (left).
by SalvationArmy.ca
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In the water, Special Olympian Kyle ‘Aquaman’ Weaver’s worries and fears are often washed away as he focuses on winning gold for his team. Before diving in, Weaver frequently feels the pressure, which he alleviates through a quick stop for encouragement at The Salvation Army Thrift Store in St. Catharines.

“I want to tell the staff at that store a big thank you,” says Kyle, “They were always behind me, encouraging, listening and supporting.”

Everyone needs inspiration and, for the gold medalist, that came through the positive family atmosphere of the thrift store. It is this positive energy that Kyle carried with him to the Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Spring Games 2016 to win four gold medals in swimming.

“Kyle is a pleasure to have around,” says Mike Nitsch, thrift store manager. “We told him before the competition that you can do anything you put your mind to, and he did simply outstanding! We’re all big fans of his.”

“That store has a family atmosphere and I feel like when I go in there that I am a part of that family,” says Kyle. “I feel more appreciated and I am grateful to them.”

A member of the St. Catharines Special Olympics Dolphins, Kyle has been competing in swimming and powerlifting for a number of years. He is also active on the baseball and soccer field.  Kyle has an acquired brain injury from early childhood, but has not allowed that to impede his drive for success. “When you go in the water, everything that bugs me goes away. When you get out all the stress is gone,” says Kyle.

Another place his stress washes away is at the thrift store where he hunts for his most prized possessions of superhero memorabilia, sports jerseys, old movies, books and music. The thrift store is always there to give him a ‘big wave’ in more ways than one. 

Photo: Special Olympian Kyle Weaver (second right) feels part of the family at The Salvation Army Thrift Store National Recycling Operations (NRO) St. Catharines location with the support of team members Linda Book (right), store manager Mike Nitsch  (second left) and Dawn Goodnough (left).