Finally, he's home
New homeowner Nathan Smalley grins after receiving the keys to his home from construction supervisor Greg Nowak, left, during the home's dedication ceremony Saturday morning. The Habitat for Humanity house is a dream come true for Special Olympics medalist Smalley, 39, who worked with Habitat executive director James Casper, right, and many other people for more than two years to reach his goal of owning a home. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
Special Olympian Nathan Smalley, who earned gold and silver medals in skiing during the World Winter Games in Austria last year, shows off his favorite part of his new home — the garage — Saturday during the dedication ceremony of his Habitat for Humanity house. “Now I can actually work on my vehicles,” he said with a smile. “This here is the reason I got the house.”
Photos: DEVIN WEEKS/Press Gretta Shay and her husband, Ralph, express their love and excitement for Nathan Smalley, center, who was Gretta’s student when he was in fifth grade, as they celebrate the completion of his new Post Falls home Saturday morning. Smalley, a Special Olympics World Games gold and silver medalist, has worked with Habitat for Humanity for more than two years to achieve his dream of finally owning a home.
By DEVIN WEEKS
Staff Writer
POST FALLS — Surrounded by loved ones and supporters on the porch of his new home, Nathan Smalley likened his own personality to that of the steadfast and unwavering mule.
"I can tell you right now, it wasn’t easy to get where I am today,” Smalley said. "As a mule, a mule will keep going no matter how tough the situation is. The mule is going to keep pushing and pushing and anybody gets in his way, the mule is going to keep going, knocking everything over and do its job. Mules are stubborn and they’re going to do what it takes to get the job done. You get in the way of that mule, that mule’s going to kick at you."
Just like a mule that has made up its mind, Smalley, 39, decided to hold steady when it came to someday owning his own home.
That time has come.
A small crowd gathered around Smalley on Saturday morning to dedicate his home and help him celebrate this milestone in his life.
Smalley, a Special Olympics World Winter Games gold and silver medalist, has been working with Habitat for Humanity for more than two years to finally get into his own independent house. Habitat is a global nonprofit housing organization that helps people in need of decent and affordable housing.
"This is a huge opportunity for Nathan, a huge opportunity for Post Falls to show that he belongs here and he will continue to help Post Falls grow," said Gregory Quinn, who coached Smalley as he trained for the World Winter Games and is now one of Smalley's closest friends. "Nathan, you've proven without a doubt you can achieve anything you set your mind on."
Quinn said this house "isn't just a house. It's his home, something he's been driven for many, many years."
"I've never seen Nathan fail," he said. "I've never once seen Nathan give up. We've seen him stumble, we've seen him fall, but he always gets back up on his feet, dusts off his jeans and continues forward."
The single-level home, located on a quiet side street in Post Falls, is about 900 square feet. It has bamboo wood floors and stainless steel appliances.
But Smalley is most stoked about the garage, where he will have the space to work on his Ford Mustang and Ford F-250.
"Now I can actually work on my vehicles," he said, smiling as he looked around the garage. "This here is the reason I got the house."