Team Adams March Update
March 2026
Heidelinde Glas
We have the COOLEST NEWS! One of our athletes, HEIDELINDE GLASS, has published a book! Yes, you read that right. Heide is a published author! She has been writing her book, Inside England's ER, for about 7 years and it recently became available on Amazon. We chatted with Heide and got all the details about what inspired her to write a book and how she stayed motivated for 7 years!
What inspired you to write this book?
Growing up I watched a show called "999 What's Your Emergency?" which was based in England. In our country we call 911 for any emergency, but in England they have different numbers for fire, ambulance, etc. The number in England for ambulance service is 999 so that's why the show was called that. I also watched the TV shows ER, Trauma Life, and Cops, so I wanted to combine them all together in my own version of a story.
Without giving away too much about the book, what is the book about?
It's similar to the TV show, ER. It describes the daily life in a busy emergency room located in Liverpool, England. I did a lot of research to get everything right. I watched videos to see how ERs are run in England. I also ran into a cast member, Sarah, on a Disney Cruise , who was from England and we talked a lot about hospitals and emergency rooms in England.
Do you have a favorite part in the book?
I don't really have a favorite part, but chapter 15 was the heaviest and the hardest to write. I had to do a lot of research when I wrote that chapter. There are some characters in the book that are based off people that I know. Sometimes I just randomly picked names for some of my characters.
Did anyone help you get your book published and what was that process like?
My mom helped me with that. I layed out each chapter in the beginning, by handwriting everything in an outline form. Then I wrote the story and eventually typed it. I also created visual boards of what the rooms looked liked, what the characters looked like, etc. I color-coded the stethoscopes on my vision boards to keep all the characters straight in my mind. We published the book through Amazon books, so someone from Amazon edited it and helped get it ready.
Do you have plans to write any more books?
No, but I am going to write some short stories. I wrote my very first short story in 5th grade at Biglerville Elementary. It was about me becoming an altar girl at church. And then I just kept writing more short stories from then on. I plan to keep writing short stories, but no more books.
How many books have you sold so far?
I have no idea. I don't really care about that. I didn't write the book for fame and fortune. I just enjoyed writing it and did it for fun!
Needless to say, we are beyond proud of Heide and we love seeing our athletes succeed beyond Special Olympics. If you purchase her book, Heide would be thrilled to sign it for you! She can usually be found at basketball, athletics, and volleyball, so swing by and get our famous author's signature!
Basketball
We've had 51 athletes braving the cold early Saturday mornings since early January to improve their physical fitness and work on their basketball skills. Our 5v5 team recently played a scrimmage against the Hanover High School boys basketball team. Everyone had a great time! The regular season for basketball concludes with a weekend of "March Madness" on March 14-15. On Saturday, March 14, our Team Adams athletes will compete against one another in our Local Competition. Then on Sunday, March 15, they get to compete against teams from other local programs at our annual Basketball Invitational. Leading our basketball program this year is long time volunteer Dylan Powell.
Swimming
Our Team Adams Cannonballs were excited to jump into the pool to start their season on Sunday, March 1. Our swimming program continues to grow and we are thrilled to have 36 swimmers this year! Head coach Theresa McCleaf is excited that several swimmers are ready to move up a level this year and she can't wait to see what everyone accomplishes in the pool!
Sunday, March 15
It's time for our 30th Annual Basketball Invitational! We have many local programs (and some not so local!) registered to bring skills athletes, 3v3 teams, and 5v5 teams for a fun day of competition! This event takes place at Gettysburg College in the Jaeger Athletic Center. Opening Ceremonies kick off promptly at 9:15 with the Parade of Delegations, the Legends Cheerleaders from Hanover, and the Knights of Columbus from McSherrystown. Athlete co-emcees for Opening Ceremonies will be Rachael Beard and Gavin Neiderer. Athlete Brenda Wallace will be carrying the Olympic torch and athlete Dustin Miller will lead the reciting of the Athletes' Oath. If you are participating in Opening Ceremonies in any way, please be there no later than 9:00.
Spectators should bring lawn chairs since the bleachers will not be open due to running 3 basketball courts at one time. Lunch will be provided for athletes, coaches, and event volunteers. Parents and guests may purchase lunch tickets at the Family Committee Table located inside the Jaeger Athletic Center for $7.00 while they last. Price includes 1/2 sub, drink, and a snack.
Friday, March 20
Come support a great cause while watching some amazing basketball action! Our athletes will not be competing in this tournament since it's a fundraiser event organized by the Fairfield High School Honor Society for community members to form 3v3 teams. This is a fun event every year and we thank the Fairfield Honor Society for holding this event in support of our program for many years! Please come support them and help create a crazy fun atmosphere for all the teams! Come hungry and show their concession stand some love!
Wednesday, March 25
Visit any Jersey Mike's across Pennsylvania on March 25 to purchase a delicious sub while supporting Special Olympics during this gigantic fundraising event. 100% of every order that day supports Team PA as they represent Pennsylvania at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota. Team Adams will have athletes located at the Gettysburg Jersey Mike's location throughout the day, so come see them! Also, anyone who orders from any Pennsylvania Jersey Mike's at any time throughout the month of March will have the option when they pay to round up to the nearest dollar or to make a donation. We greatly appreciate Jersey Mike's choosing Special Olympics to be the recipient of their generosity! Be sure to thank them when you go!
The Mission of Special Olympics is to provide year round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.