THE OREGONIAN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1996

Autism no hurdle for harrier
With encouragement, Sean Henley succeeds on Grant High's cross-country team
by DAVID AUSTIN of the Oregonian staff

Sean Henley clenches his fists and grits his teeth. The 15-year-old ninth-grader's strides come in short steps; his back is hunched against the cold.
His running shoes hit the muddy ground with a clop, clop, clop, like the slow gallop of a small horse.
Luke Stowell is 22. His body has the chiseled build of an olympic gymnast. He wears a gray sweatshirt and black sweatpants and breathes easily as the pair move over the grassy cross-country course at Grant High School.
They're well behind the leaders in Thursday's Portland Interscholastic League's district meet. Sean's straight brown hair is a little mussed, and small spots of mud dot the front of his blue-and-white jersey with the caricature of Grant High's general.
His gaze strays from the chalked white line that marks the 3-kilometer course.
"Let's go, Sean. Keep running." Luke said. "You're doing OK. Keep your hands down."

A doctor diagnosed Sean's autism at age 3 1/2. He has a hard time focusing on a single task and doesn't demonstrate what he's feeling well. He doesn't talk much, either.
He responds better to the interaction he receives from others, especially people he's familiar with.
Luke shows up each weekday, suited up and waiting out by the Grant track for Sean.
"He's autistic," Luke, his encourager, said matter-of-factly. "But he's autistic and on the Grant cross-country team. That is an accomplishment."

As they wind around the course, a few tiny beads of sweat build up on Sean's forehead. His stride is more relaxed now. Cheers echo up ahead on the course as the leaders fight for position.
They're mere background to Luke's encouraging words.
His soothing voice and carefully orchestrated hand signals guide Sean along the course.
"You're OK, you're OK," Luke tells him. "We're almost there. Keep going."

The classroom walls of the school are daunting for Sean, the only child of Kathy and John Henley. He doesn't like being cooped up, his mother says. That's why Grant High's cross-country team has been a magical place for Sean to land.
Cross-country is an open-air sport with no restraints. You race against your rivals, but it's also a test of character and endurance. Sean, with Luke's help, has worked hard all season to reach this point.
To his teammates, he's just another kid. he's just like anyone else on the team.
He's one of them, a cross-country runner. A harrier.

Sean's lopes down a slight hill onto the track. His form comes easily now.
Luke breaks off and slows to a walk. "Keep going, Sean. You're almost finished. Keep going." A smile crosses Luke's face, and he jogs across the grass toward the finish.
Sean rounds the track. The crowd cheers for the final runner to make it into the chute at the finish line. As Sean runs, Luke sidesteps quickly alongside. "Almost there. Keep it up. Almost home," Luke shouts.
Sean crosses the line and starts biting his hands, a sign of frustration. Luke throws his arm around Sean and pulls him close. "You did it. You did a really good job. Let's calm down."
Sean wanders away from the finish line. He looks past the blur of runners and spectators. His mother cups the back of his neck with her hand to make sure their eyes meet. She hugs him and smiles.
His race is over.

From Sean's mother, Kathy Henley:

On the evening of November 12, the Grant High School Atheletics Department had their Winter Awards Dessert. We attended with Sean, though we were concerned about all the environmental allergies that Sean has. We were very happy we were there when later in the Cross Country presentation Coach Cotton announced the award for "Most Inspirational". He started the preamble with some words about the person who comes in first is not always the one who is most inspirational to their teammates. Sometimes it is a person who, against the odds, always tries hard to do his personal best. The team had voted, and our Sean was awarded the plaque for "MostInspirational" guy! Sean's Aide, Luke Stowell, was there with Sean and helped him go up and accept the award. There were many misty eyes, including the Coach, John and myself. This team really has embraced Sean as a member. They came the extra mile to reach out to Sean. This has been a very good experience for all those who participated in it and those who helped make it happen. My thanks to everyone!!