Bro Justin checks Todd's gold medal

Bro Justin checks Todd's gold medal, originally uploaded by debbyeisinger.

Thank you coaches!

A special thanks to the coaches who have been instrumental in Todd's swimming performances. Each and everyone of them has had a profound effect on Todd in his training.
Coach Gene Fitch, Todd's Special Olympics coach, knew to send Todd back to Cindy Virdo and her staff @ Firestone High School and FAST for intense summer training.
Coach Mark Schubert, head coach of USA Swimming, inspired Todd @ Colorado Springs to really work hard to represent his teams and his country. He even got Todd to cut back on Double Cheeseburgers, soft drinks and fries!
Michelle Giancarli, strength and conditioning trainer, worked with Todd on core strength and leg conditioning. She helped Todd determine that he wants to be physically fit for life. He also likes the good-looking girls at the Wellness Center.
Coach Jan Krekel, Todd's regional coach from Kentucky, helped keep us informed about the details of the trip and how the system worked. She made several trips to Akron to get to know Todd and prepare him for training camp.
Coach Jim Brinkman, Todd's chaperone/coach in China, was THE MAN in China! A retired Naval officer, he was there for Todd and us throughout the games, even when it meant "persuading" the locals to see it his way.
As you might imagine, this trip was a wonderful opportunity for Todd and our family. Two weeks together and we had so much fun, we're even looking forward to future family vacations.

Shanghai, documented

I took about 700 pictures over the course of the two weeks in China...I've winnowed it down to a little over a hundred for your viewing pleasure.

The Eisingers go to China

We're back!

We have all arrived back at our respective homes now. Todd is in San Diego staying with his brother, Justin for the week for a little well deserved R&R. He slept 16 straight hours Friday night.
Before we left Shanghai, there was a story on CNN Asia speaking about how the Chinese government was unhappy with some western influences being caused by the internet so they blocked access to 10's of thousands of web and blog sites. We think because we refer to China that we were blocked.
Now that we are back and have many pictures to post, we'll start to get those sorted and posted.
Thank you to all of you who have watched and contributed to the site. It was a wonderful experience but very tiring at the same time. Todd and the athletes from all 165 nations really handled all the differences very well, probably better than I did. I get a little stressed when I feel that the athletes are not being treated properly and enabled to give their best performances. More to come on this whole topic.
A huge thank you to Todd's coaches here and there for giving him the training he needed to perform so well. He really got the coaching and utilized it in his races. Four races, four medals. You cannot due better than that.
Thanks,
Lee

Gold Medal!

After multiple failed attempts at uploading pictures of Todd and others, we are just going to post written text.
Todd has completed his full set of medals. His gold medal is in the 100 meter freestyle in which he did finish with a personal best. It is also difficult convert his times to short course meters. His silver medal was in the 200 freestyle relay, and his bronze medal was in the 100 meter breaststroke. His breaststroke swim was an exciting race with Todd moving up to 3rd place at the wall with a lunging finish.
The swimmers have been getting up @ 6:30 am and not getting back to the hotel until about 6:30 in the evening.
The typhoon has caused us to cancel our trip to The Great Wall, and Beijing. the weather is causing flight delays and we cannot be certain that we would be back to see Todd at the closing ceremonies.
It has been absolutely wonderful to have Justin and Erin here to celebrate Todd's participation. Todd is also very happy to have them here. His coaches are all wonderful individuals. Coach Jim has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help the athletes. The families of athletes are so supportive of all the athletes participating here.
Yesterday, Sunday, Tim Shriver came and watched a couple of events and it occurred to me that his mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, really has created a wonderful legacy for tens of thousands of athletes around the world. I believe, as do others, that she should be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. It is amazing to think about what effort it took to bring this to reality.

The time has come!

After a grueling 20 1/2 hour on the charter flight, TEAMUSA arrived in Shanghai. The "5" Start hotel evidently is somewhat lower on the star scale. We are not allowed in the rooms, only the lobby for safety reasons. Todd has been sharing his Cheerios with his teammates and although the food is not Western or American the athletes are surviving. We never thought that McDonald's could be rated as flavorful, good food. KFC will not make the list as acceptable.





Opening Ceremonies were held in an 80,000 seat stadium and were amazing. Jackie Chan, Colin Farrel, Quincy Jones, Yao Ming, and Arnold Schwartzenegger were part of the ceremonies. Obviously, Todd enjoyed the show. This was emulating what the opening will be like for Beijing next year. The fireworks, music, laser lights, made the Torch Lighting and the athletes' entrance into the stadium truly a sight to see. Arnold led the TEAMUSA delegation into the stadium, all 400 athletes and 150 coaches.

Wednesday afternoon, the Men's 200 meter freestyle relay qualified and then Thursday afternoon swam to 2nd place for a SILVER MEDAL. The guys all swam well, with Todd leading off the race. Todd dropped his time 2.5 seconds from prelims to finals. He was rocking as usual, pumping up the team before he swam.



We are truly in awe of our athlete's abilities to handle such huge changes in time, culture and foods. Language differences make even simple things difficult. Very warm, humid weather feels almost like Florida in the summer.

Tomorrow, Friday morning he swims 100 free preliminaries.

Sam's Club at Chapel Hill

The staff of Sam's Club at Chapel Hill wanted to make sure Todd was comfortable while making a personal appearance during their bake sale, but as you can see, he was a little to comfortable and couldn't resist a short snooze following his 2 hour swim practice and 1/2 hour strength training session. As usual, Todd met another pretty girl.

Carrabba's & Summit Special Olympic Athletic Club's Tasty FundRaiser

Co-Chairs, Elaine & Matt (left) and MaryAnn & Jared (right) greet the guests at Carrabba's Italian Grille in North Canton on Saturday, May 4th. Gary, the proprietor, welcomes our sold-out crowd to his restaurant and introduces his staff. Todd appreciates the support of his swim team and the generosity of the attendees as well as Carrabba's restaurant & staff who volunteered their time.

The kitchen staff kept the food coming and the staff, including Whitey's owner, Jon were still smiling at the end.






And an awesome time was had by all. Thanks to Jon & Whitey's for a night Todd will never forget.

Are you surprised that TODD gets the girl?

Here Mike Hargrove discusses the latest appraised value of Jim Mantel's autographed rookie card from Fantasy Camp before Sharon submits the winning bid.

One of our sponsors, Alhambra, brought a group of about 15! While we can't mention everyone individually, your presence was very much appreciated. Several Whitey's vendors donated items and Jon kept taking things off the walls! The Frank Robinson autographed baseball donated by Jim Mantel raised the most money for a single item.

Special friends, Jim & Melinda Mantel, and the Hargrove family came out in force with a party of 12. Jim was our celebrity auctioneer and while Mike signed autographs, Sharon Hargrove and Melinda kept the bidding spirited.

"Todd goes to China" Night at Whitey's

From the moment you entered Whitey's Booze N' Burgers on July 27th, you knew it was a special night. The place was packed and everywhere you looked, you saw Todd's face-on t-shirts, on wall posters, and best of all, in person, grinning from ear to ear. It was his night and he knew it! New friends and old friends had come to celebrate and support his trip to China.

Buds

Todd shows off his "guns" again for long-time friends, Adam and Mike. The guys swam together for many years during summers and have stayed in touch even though life has taken Adam to Florida and Mike to Boston where they will proudly wear their Todd t-shirts!

More at the cookout

Shane (manager), Sara, Gerald, Danny and Todd are busy cooking and waiting on hungry customers. Todd managed to find time to eat a cheeseburger, too. And of course, when Shane took him on a "behind the scenes" tour, Todd found a pretty girl, Tara.

Helping raise funds

The Boardman's Sam's Club held a cookout for Todd in July to raise money for his trip. Mom, Dad, and Todd traveled to Boardman to meet the staff and help with the cookout. Sam's Club partners helping were Shane, Sara, Gerald, Danny, Coach Dan, John, Rita, Maryanne, June, and Kathy.

Besides the ladies...

The real reason for the trip to Columbus...competition. Todd gathers 3 gold medals for his collection. Winning the 100 free, 50 breaststroke, and the unified relay with his Dad, Coach Gene, and teammate Matt.

And still again

Todd gets the girl again and this time, she's Miss Ohio!

Todd gets the girl again!

Of course, Todd finds the prettiest girl in the room.

Torch Runners

Todd greets the Torch runners (he carried the torch in 2003) and meets them at the Varsity later in the evening. Showing off "guns" again while sporting Todd shirts. What a GREAT group of police officers who participate in this event year after year. Seeing them each year is a highlight for Todd.

Summit Special Olympic Athletic Club

Todd's team, the Summit Stars, parading into the stadium. The coaches are all wearing sunglasses, including the coach in "colorful" attire bringing up the rear.

The team poses for their annual photo.

Unfortunately, Todd was at the other end of the stadium.

Opening Ceremonies for 2007 Ohio Summer Games

Todd and Brigid, a TeamUSA roller skater, led the parade at the Ohio State Summer Games in Columbus, June 22nd, and administered the Special Olympic oath: "Let me win, but if I cannot win, Let me be brave in the attempt." Todd caused us to hold our breath when he approached the microphone again and wanted to say something else...What a relief when he said, "Are you ready to win?" and the crowd erupted in cheers.

Chuck, Sam's Club Regional Manager, and his daughter, Anna make a check presentation to Area 10 Special Olympics and meet Todd. On behalf of Sam's Club, Chuck offers a major commitment to sponsor Todd's journey to China.