LAWTON – Max Gilbert began volunteering at White Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care, Lawton, in October 2024. In addition to volunteering at White Oaks, Gilbert finds time to at-tend Van Buren Intermediate School District, (VBSISD) powerlifting and running six days a week, and playing video games. That is a lot to juggle for anyone, but to learn that he does it all while balancing the challenges that come with cerebral palsy (CP), it demands a whole new level of admiration and respect.
To see what Gilbert has been able to accomplish, it is not surprising that he’s taken on an-other monumental challenge. During the second week of March, Gilbert, who began skiing at age five, will fulfill a lifelong dream as he will travel to Turin, Italy, to compete as an Alpine skier in the Special Olympics.
To celebrate this accomplishment, residents and staff at White Oaks gave Gilbert a spe-cial sendoff on Monday afternoon, March 3. Lining the halls, staff and residents “clapped out” Gilbert from the main dining room at White Oaks Assisted Living, 300 White Oaks Road.
