Athlete
Profile
Chicago
Games Experience Forever Changed Vermont Athlete
Jean
Mangieri of Vermont is excited about going to China to compete in bocce and "see
everything there."
She
has become somewhat of a seasoned traveler, according to her sister and mother,
however it wasn't always like that.
 |
| Jeannie
Mangieri of Vermont with her friend Henry Fredericks at a Special
Olympics golf event in Manchester, Vt. Henry also is going to Shanghai
to play bocce. |
Jeannie
was just 16 years old when she was selected to compete at the 1970 Special
Olympics Games in Chicago and she wasn't so excited to travel. "We
practically had to throw her out of the house to make her go," said her
mother, Mafabla Mangieri.
But
Jean had a great time at the Chicago games. "She went out like one girl
and she came back as an entirely different person – all smiles," said
Mrs. Mangieri. "It was the best thing in the world for her. It was just
a wonderful experience."
Jean's
sister, Dale Gray, remembers the family getting the news in Vermont telling
them that Jean had won a gold medal in swimming. "It was very exciting
for the family." While no family members attended the Chicago games in
1970, some family members are looking into attending the World Games in China.
Since
those 1970 games, Jean has been more open to trying new things, said her sister.
She has traveled around the United States and visits another sister in Florida.
Now,
Jean is looking forward to China. "To hear her, you'd think she
was only going around the corner instead of going to Shanghai," said
Mrs. Mangieri. "I think that's good in itself."
During
her 38 years in Special Olympics, Jean has seen a lot of changes. "There
are more sports and more people involved," she said. Now, when she's
not actively training for a specific sport, Jean keeps in shape by going to
the gym and walking.
With
a flight longer than a ½ day, fight against China's Jet Lag
Jet
lag occurs when you cross three or more time zones quickly, causing the delicate
timing system of our body's biological clock to be disrupted. Many of our vital
processes are programmed to operate at times during the day or night that will
most benefit the entire body and due to jet lag, it takes time for our bodies
and our psyches to reorient to a new day-night cycle.
A
specialist in aviation medicine recommends the following methods of lessening
the effects of jet lag:
1.
Wear loose-fitting clothing and comfortable shoes so that your circulation
will not be restricted.
 2.
Drink a glass of water, club soda or orange juice every hour you are in the
air in order to combat dehydration. Avoid drinking coffee, tea, cola or alcohol,
as these contribute to dehydration.
3.
Eat as little as possible to reduce your body's metabolic rate. Your system will already be working hard to adapt to the time change….don't make it work any harder than it has to.
4.
Exercise in flight to fight muscle fatigue. While sitting, rotate your head,
shoulders and ankles; contract and relax your abdominal muscles. Stand occasionally
and stretch, and balance on your toes. More than an occasional frequent flier
spends time jogging in place.
After
arrival:
5.
Take one or two aspirins for any muscle aches and pains you might experience.
6.
Go for a walk or jog once you get your land bearings.
7.
Continue to drink plenty of water. Your body will continue to fight the dehydration
effects of air travel.
Don't let jet lag ruin your first few days of your World Games experience!
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