2008 Woodie Awards
Once a Frolfer...
Phil DeSantis
Issue date: 5/7/05 Section: Tempo
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As Erik Donovan sits with me, he removes an oversized pair of headphones connected to an iPod shuffle. With the last notes of a Local H song finishing up "Donny," as he's called by his friends, re-ties his bright green shoes and tells me about Disc Golf.
"My record at Lewis is ten under," he tells me with a grin, "and the course is pretty tough." Perhaps forgotten, maybe not even publicized, the Lewis disc golf course is one of the homes away from North Hall of Donovan; senior, special education major, runner, and disc golfer.
In 2001, Donovan graduated from Lincoln-Way High School with commitment to Lewis University.
"I planned on running at Lewis; it was a school small enough that I could be on the team even though I wasn't ever going to be a top guy. My freshmen year was a real shock to see how fast and intense these college-level athletes were. I had always enjoyed running, but more on as a hobby. Running at Lewis wasn't about winning for me, but rather being on a team and enjoying myself."
As a freshman, Donovan was a biology major. Although he enjoyed it, he didn't feel self-actualized until after the summer between his sophomore and junior years.
"Over the summer I worked at Butler Elementary School, specifically in the special education department. There I worked with autistic children and could really empathize with the pain of having a disability. These are kids that need help and I knew that since I cared it would be easy for me to contribute and make a difference."
Donovan is afflicted with optic atrophy, a nerve degenerative disease that causes poor vision after puberty.
Unlike most people his age, Donovan has neither car nor intent for a car because he is legally blind. His vision is so bad that even with glasses he is unable to become a licensed driver.
"I don't wish I didn't have it, I just don't want it to get any worse. Having bad eyes has made me a better person. I like to think I live a more simple life; I try not to judge or draw conclusions."
"My record at Lewis is ten under," he tells me with a grin, "and the course is pretty tough." Perhaps forgotten, maybe not even publicized, the Lewis disc golf course is one of the homes away from North Hall of Donovan; senior, special education major, runner, and disc golfer.
In 2001, Donovan graduated from Lincoln-Way High School with commitment to Lewis University.
"I planned on running at Lewis; it was a school small enough that I could be on the team even though I wasn't ever going to be a top guy. My freshmen year was a real shock to see how fast and intense these college-level athletes were. I had always enjoyed running, but more on as a hobby. Running at Lewis wasn't about winning for me, but rather being on a team and enjoying myself."
As a freshman, Donovan was a biology major. Although he enjoyed it, he didn't feel self-actualized until after the summer between his sophomore and junior years.
"Over the summer I worked at Butler Elementary School, specifically in the special education department. There I worked with autistic children and could really empathize with the pain of having a disability. These are kids that need help and I knew that since I cared it would be easy for me to contribute and make a difference."
Donovan is afflicted with optic atrophy, a nerve degenerative disease that causes poor vision after puberty.
Unlike most people his age, Donovan has neither car nor intent for a car because he is legally blind. His vision is so bad that even with glasses he is unable to become a licensed driver.
"I don't wish I didn't have it, I just don't want it to get any worse. Having bad eyes has made me a better person. I like to think I live a more simple life; I try not to judge or draw conclusions."
