It takes a lot of courage for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to step outside to play, perform, and win. Their lives bring joy and inspiration to all those who can see beyond their disabilities; to those who believe that disabilities should never define a person.
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| Image source: specialolympics.org |
In a community that is truly committed to serve everyone from all walks of life, nobody should be left ignored and abused. Model communities take care of people with intellectual disabilities—opportunities for them to learn and serve the community make them feel more confident and brave to face daily challenges.
Special Olympics intends to let everyone understand what acceptance is. Respecting that people with disabilities have the desire to see themselves in a different way, witnessing strength in the middle of an obstacle, and finding bravery in defeat, are all lessons of the Special Olympics.
Equal opportunities for all individuals is what the society aims to achieve. In the process of fighting for the good of the greater population, there’s a chance that the smaller circle is being overlooked. Conducting Special Olympics is only one of the many opportunities a community can make people with disabilities feel appreciated. To be a part of a community, one must feel welcome. One must feel loved and needed. It is known that playing sports is good for the health and well-being of an individual, but an individual is always a part of something bigger. Patience and confidence; teamwork and success; respect and acceptance; bravery in victory and in defeat—all experienced in Special Olympics—bring unity.
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| Image source: specialolympics.org |
Jay Blackmore is an active member of the Canadian Progress Club of Regina, an organization that supports Special Olympics. To learn more about the Canadian Progress Club, visit this website.
