Geneseo golfer going for gold at Special Olympics' USA games

With strong determination and an infectious smile, local golfer Heather Bump personifies the spirit of the Special Olympics motto, "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

This summer, she'll take her brand of positivity to the national stage as one of 53 athletes representing New York at the Special Olympics USA Games.

"Heather is a joy to play golf with," says Linda Rainer, of Piffard, who has worked with Special Olympics athletes for more than 20 years. "She is always happy. If you're having a bad day, you can always count of Heather to make you laugh."

Bump and Rainer will compete as a team at the USA Games, July 1 through 6 in Seattle. Their sport: Unified Alternate Shot Team Play, in which a Special Olympian and their non-disabled partner alternate turns hitting the ball until it is holed.

Two-person unified teams consisting of golfers with and without intellectual disabilities are intended to further the spirit of inclusion through sports, according to the Special Olympics.

Throughout the golfing season, Special Olympians and their partners in our area compete in regional and state events. Those who earn gold medals at these levels may be entered into a drawing to compete at the USA Games. When Heather received an acceptance letter, it was a dream come true.

"I was so excited when I found out I would be going to the Special Olympics USA Games," she said. "I am very proud to represent my state, my family, my house, and my church. Special Olympics has given me something to be proud of that I can say that I have done compared to my friends with and without disabilities."

Bump and Rainer will be accompanied by long-time coach Martha Pachuta, of Perry. Pachuta and Bump became acquainted in the mid-1980s, when Bump was discovering herself as a young athlete.

"At that point, Heather was in many sports," Pachuta explains. "As the years progressed, she became more focused."

About 12 years ago, Pachuta began to coach Bump in golf, helping to nurture her interests and develop her play.

Special Olympics has three levels of golf. Bump spent about five years at the initial "Skills Development" level, where she honed her skills with putting and various shots before moving to the "Unified Sports" level at which she and Rainer play today. The third level is "Individual Stroke Play," where athletes play independently.

"We have been able to see Heather really progress," Pachuta said. "Heather has positivity, focus and determination. She takes it very seriously, which is a true advantage."

Off the greens, Bump is well known throughout Livingston and Wyoming Counties. She grew up in Perry, and attends Perry Methodist Church. The 46-year-old athlete lives in an Arc of Livingston-Wyoming operated group home in Geneseo, and holds down an assembly job at the agency's Hilltop work center in East Avon.

Visitors to Main Street Geneseo may also recognize Bump as a smiling face behind the counter at Finger Lakes Cookie Company, where she completed an internship and a stint as a part time employee.

Bump is also a passionate supporter of disability related causes. She presently serves as President of The Arc's Self Advocacy group, Advocates Coming Together. As part of a network of peer-driven organizations, the group has sparked change state-wide and nationally.

In March, she attended The Arc of the United States' Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C. While there, Bump and other self advocates visited congressional offices on Capitol Hill to urge U.S. Representatives to vote against the American Health Care Act (AHCA), arguing that it could have resulted in serious cuts to programs and services for people with developmental disabilities.

At the state level, she was active in the#bFair2DirectCare Coalition's efforts that ultimately resulted in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's decision to support a 2018 rate increase for salaries of direct care workers.

As a self-described "people person," the social aspect of Special Olympics is just as important as the athletics for Bump. While in Seattle, she'll attend a gala opening ceremony, and will get the chance to meet fellow athletes from all 50 states.

"I'm most looking forward to meeting the people from different parts of the country," said Bump. "I want to introduce myself, talk to them, and make a lot of friends."

But there is a lot of preparation still ahead for Bump, Rainer, and Pachuta before their journey to the USA Games. Their plan is to utilize St. John Fisher College's indoor facilities first. When the weather warms, they'll return to a weekly training regimen that consists of one day at the driving range and another day of course play at Sonyea Golf Course in Mount Morris.

In a Special Olympics career that has spanned more than 35 years, Rainer has traveled to elite level competitions with some of Heather's peers, including World Games. In 2011, Rainer earned gold in golf as a partner to Mistee Best when the duo competed in Athens, Greece.

"Everybody has a chance," Pachuta said. "So it would be no surprise for Heather and Linda to return from Seattle with medals."

For Bump, it would be a treat. But just being a part of the event is a big win.

"Heather is very supportive of everyone around her," Pachuta says. "With Heather, every shot is a 'good shot.' That just makes it so much easier for everyone to play."