Phil Duthie
by Brandi Bard
This caring, sports-minded Torrance, CA native who has a degree in Recreation Therapy with the emphasis in Therapeutics has become the program director for people with autism and developmental disabilities around Torrance California. In 1994, Phil was diagnosed with SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Phil’s sister Debbie, the Special Programs director in Alameda County, near Oakland in Northern California, has also been diagnosed with the same two diseases.
Phil
has had various sports injuries, and his knees often severely swell to twice
their original size as a result of his tennis injuries, and 31 mile to 50 kilometer runs undertaken while he
was in his teens. When he is asymptomatic he plays softball with the Special
Olympics Team, which he has coached for nine years. In addition to currently
being the programs director for the Special Olympics he has also help to
develop an after-school program called the STAR program for developmentally
disabled children and young adults in Torrance. It is one of the most progressive
parks and recreation departments in the greater Los Angeles area for learning
disabled and attention deficit disorder children ages seven to thirteen.
Phil
and his staff also conduct a special recreation club for people fourteen and
up which includes excursions for dances and socializing. Phil is the director
of the Special Olympics program, with about 120 wonderful athletes
participating. Phil commented on them, “My Special Olympics people have taught
me the most important things in life.., courage, loyalty ,accepting others and
their foibles at face value. Also that anything worth doing in life is worth
doing to over-indulgence.” These are things we feel Phil has taught all of us
too, and are things he can reinforce in each of you.
He
loves to garden around his citrus trees and his roses, and he keeps up with
re-planting his bedding flowers. Each type of plant takes a very special type
of knowledge, set of tools, and care. It is the same kind of interest Phil shows
in everything he undertakes from sports, to poetry, to taking a personal
interest in every athlete with which he works. This multifaceted, wonderful
friend of everyone who knows him has also done such diverse things as being a
blues guitarist and holding Laughing Coyote readings at the Joslyn Arts Gallery
in Torrence with poets, writers, opera singers, and African drummers.
Phil is very instrumental in the disabled
advisory board committee which holds the Harvest Health Fair every fall in
Torrence, California at Wilson Park on Crenshaw Boulevard, between Carson and
Sepulveda. This year it was held on October 30 from 9:00A.M. to 1:00P.M. Many
vendors were displaying numerous necessary items, such as durable medical
equipment, pharmacy items and so much more. Phil was available to meet too. To
find out the actual date and time of the Health Fair for next fall - call Phil
at Torrance Park and Recreation Department at (310) 618-2930.
Come and enjoy yourself, and meet Phil at the fair each autumn.