Mike Duschene

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1975, I started teaching Special Education at Riverview School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. I then became a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana, West Africa at the Home and School for Retarded Children—forgive me for using the "r" word. I gained additional classroom experience on the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico, Franklin Junior High School in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and at Vocational Industries in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. I was an adjunct special education teacher at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and was privileged to train students for careers in the field. I retired at the end of 2018 after working for twenty-eight years in administrative roles at Aspiro, a preeminent not-for-profit serving individuals with intellectual disabilities and special needs. I was the organization's fifth president. Aspiro is where I met Dennis Rasmussen.

Sports played an integral part in Tom Anderson's life. He was a talented player and coach. Tom graduated from Green Bay Southwest High School where he excelled at basketball, baseball, and tennis. He played basketball during the 1974-1978 seasons for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Tom also played fastpitch softball. He coached youth basketball and youth girls’ softball and soccer. For several years, Tom was involved with the Ashwaubenon girls' basketball program.  

One thing I learned for certain over the course of my career is that people are more alike than they are different. This holds true for people with and without disabilities or special needs. Case in point, similar to Tom Anderson, sports was also an integral part of the life of Dennis Rasmussen. This common thread brought the two, and so many others, together.

I have observed time and time again the innate ability of coaches to spot talent and potential. Undoubtedly, Tom saw both in Dennis and he and several others involved with Dennis assisted him to reach his fullest potential on and off the playing field, basketball court, and ice rink. Without knowing it at the time, Tom and others, through involving Dennis and showcasing his talents, helped break down negative perceptions and stereotypes that existed toward individuals with intellectual disabilities and special needs.

Tom Anderson stepped to the plate, pardon the pun, to write Somebody Should Tell the Story and he hit a grand slam by doing so.

Mike Duschene