|
|
|
They've been married nearly 30 years and have known each other even longer. Surely Melvin and Claudia Brown consider one another the most important thing in their respective lives, but the Brandywine Social Club is likely a close second.
A program run through the YMCA Resource Center for adults with minor mental, physical or emotional disabilities, the club has been a conduit for so many of the activities the Brown's have immersed themselves in over the years.
In fact, it was at a club-sponsored car wash where Melvin and Claudia first met.
Claudia, seeking to clean a windshield with a bottle of Windex, mistakenly sprayed in the wrong direction, instead getting Melvin right in the eye.
Suffice it to say Melvin was blinded by love, as the two soon began dating and were eventually married in 1980.
Over the years, the club has placed the Brown's in dozen of athletic competitions through the Special Olympics. Last month, the couple competed in the Special Olympics Bowling Tournament, which drew more than 700 bowlers.
Melvin took home the gold in his division, with a two-game score of 236, while Claudia finished fourth in her group with a two-game score of 250.
|
Meet the Browns Claudia Age:52 Melvin Age: 59 |
"Bowling's good for us because we're at about the same level," Claudia says. "Some days I beat him, some days he beats me."
But while competing is fun for the Holly Oak couple, the bigger priority is to stay active and social (they've hosted a New Year's Eve party for club members for the last four years).
The couple goes out of their way to help new members get acclimated, even offering rides to club members with transportation needs.
Over the years, the Browns have participated in swimming, track, volleyball, golf and tennis. They start basketball later this month.
"I can't wait to go to my coach and say 'practice, practice,'" says an excited Melvin, invoking Allen Iverson's famous words.
Melvin is a massive Philadelphia sports fans, and the couples' Philadelphia Pike home is filled with collectibles and souveniers from each of the city's four major sports teams.
When they're not playing sports, they spend much of their time rooting for the Eagles and Phillies, and on Tuesday nights they play bingo at Holy Rosary.
"Tell everyone we need more players there to drive the prizes up," Melvin quips.
They've been married nearly 30 years and have known each other even longer. Surely Melvin and Claudia Brown consider one another the most important thing in their respective lives, but the Brandywine Social Club is likely a close second.
A program run through the YMCA Resource Center for adults with minor mental, physical or emotional disabilities, the club has been a conduit for so many of the activities the Brown's have immersed themselves in over the years.
In fact, it was at a club-sponsored car wash where Melvin and Claudia first met.
Claudia, seeking to clean a windshield with a bottle of Windex, mistakenly sprayed in the wrong direction, instead getting Melvin right in the eye.
Suffice it to say Melvin was blinded by love, as the two soon began dating and were eventually married in 1980.
Over the years, the club has placed the Brown's in dozen of athletic competitions through the Special Olympics. Last month, the couple competed in the Special Olympics Bowling Tournament, which drew more than 700 bowlers.
Melvin took home the gold in his division, with a two-game score of 236, while Claudia finished fourth in her group with a two-game score of 250.
|
Meet the Browns Claudia Age:52 Melvin Age: 59 |
"Bowling's good for us because we're at about the same level," Claudia says. "Some days I beat him, some days he beats me."
But while competing is fun for the Holly Oak couple, the bigger priority is to stay active and social (they've hosted a New Year's Eve party for club members for the last four years).
The couple goes out of their way to help new members get acclimated, even offering rides to club members with transportation needs.
Over the years, the Browns have participated in swimming, track, volleyball, golf and tennis. They start basketball later this month.
"I can't wait to go to my coach and say 'practice, practice,'" says an excited Melvin, invoking Allen Iverson's famous words.
Melvin is a massive Philadelphia sports fans, and the couples' Philadelphia Pike home is filled with collectibles and souveniers from each of the city's four major sports teams.
When they're not playing sports, they spend much of their time rooting for the Eagles and Phillies, and on Tuesday nights they play bingo at Holy Rosary.
"Tell everyone we need more players there to drive the prizes up," Melvin quips.
