For those of you who do not know what Special Olympics is.

From http://www.specialolympics.org/Who_We_Are.aspx

Special Olympics is composed of passionate, committed individuals from every walk of life, who recognize the value and unique gifts of people with intellectual disabilities. And, who together, share the common belief of dignity, equality and opportunity for ALL people.

Special Olympics is a global nonprofit organization serving the nearly 200 million people with intellectual disabilities, with a presence in nearly 200 countries worldwide. With seven regional offices, we are constantly expanding to add new Programs in every part of the world – which is why we can say with all truth that “the sun never sets on the Special Olympics movement.”

Every day, 365 days a year, our Board members, global leadership, staff and volunteers work to bring Special Olympics to as many communities as possible. Speaking hundreds of languages and coming from diverse cultures and backgrounds, the common thread tying us together is our belief in people with intellectual disabilities and in Special Olympics: its unique ability to envision and create a world where every person is celebrated and accepted — all through the simple platform of sport.

In the decades since Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics in 1968, Special Olympics has been supported by a who’s who of outstanding leaders in the fields of sports, education, business, government and disability advocacy. They serve on the International Board of Directors, give financial and political support, act as spokespeople, help build awareness, and establish connections with important organizations and reluctant governments. International Board members include President of Iceland Olafur Grimmson; Olympic Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci; pop singer and actress Vanessa Williams; Coca Cola CEO Muhtar Kent; and First Lady of Panama Vivian Fernández de Torrijos.

Under the Board’s guidance and the guidance of Special Olympics leaders, our global family of grass-roots volunteers, athletes, family and staff work tirelessly to ensure a quality sports experience for Special Olympics athletes and an accepting community for their families. Every day, talented individuals in offices around the world work to bring our sports, education, and health programs to as many places as possible. We work so that we may realize founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s vision: to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities everywhere, and, in turn, transform the lives of everyone they touch – building a better, more accepting world for all of us.

To learn more go to the link above.

What does Special Olympics do?

From http://www.specialolympics.org/What_We_Do.aspx

Dignity, acceptance, and a chance to reach one’s potential – these are human rights worth promoting for everyone. Since 1968, Special Olympics has been bringing one message to the world: people with intellectual disabilities can and will succeed if given the opportunity.

Through year-round sports training and competition, Special Olympics empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities in more than 180 countries. Special Olympics often is the only place where they have an opportunity to participate in their communities and develop belief in themselves. Many live lives of neglect and isolation, hidden away or socially excluded from full participation in schools or society. Transforming the athlete, Special Olympics sports are a gateway to empowerment, competence, acceptance and joy.

But we also transform their communities. When people see Special Olympics athletes in action, they see their humanity, their joy in competition, their pride and their potential, and they begin to believe in a different kind of world – a world in which everyone is respected and included.

What does this inclusion mean? Special Olympics is changing lives ...

In Ireland, it means a newborn who would have been shunned on the street five years ago is now embraced. In Romania, it means children who were solitary and forgotten now participate in sports training and interact regularly with the community outside their institutions. In the United States, it means the young girl who was bullied or isolated is chosen as homecoming queen. In China, it means people who were hidden away in their homes now receive vocational and literacy training at thousands of Sunshine Centers across the provinces.

Special Olympics is changing attitudes around the world - one person at a time.

We are also a catalyst for societal change, fostering community building around the globe. We are a leader in diversity and tolerance education, bringing young people with and without intellectual disabilities together in our youth and schools outreach. We are a research leader, partnering with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector to develop new ways to include people with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of society. We are the world’s largest public health organization serving people with intellectual disabilities, offering free health screenings to the world’s most neglected populations. And we are the fastest-growing grass-roots volunteer movement on the planet, with the potential to improve the quality of life for 200 million people with intellectual disabilities – 3 percent of the global population.

Join our movement. Over the years Special Olympics has transformed millions of individual lives, but there is so much work to be done. Give to Special Olympics, or get involved as a volunteer, and support our vision – to open minds, transform communities and promote the acceptance of all people.

About saying the R-word (retarded)

From http://www.r-word.org/

The R-word

The r-word is hate speech that perpetuates the negative stereotypes that face people with intellectual disabilities every day. Yet, its use continues to gain in popularity.

Rally for Unity

Join thousands of youth for an inspiring and motivational event that will launch a global movement to champion a world of acceptance for all people.

How can I help out?

Special Olympics isn’t just for athlete. If we did not have volunteers or coaches Special Olympics would not be. Athletes love it when you help out as a volunteer, coach, or anything alas you can think of. If you are a fan of Special Olympics you can go to http://info.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Website/English/Program_Locator/default.htm and find your state. Go to the website if they have one and find your county. Email or call to get your paperwork to volunteer and meet the athletes that will love you for doing just that. I know I am, more of when I was little. Or, you can print out the paperwork by going to your county and searching for the right one.

We also have United Sports where people just like you can be on a team with those with intellectual disabilities. Bowling is the most popular sport in the U.S. Which consist of two athletes and two partners (non-athletes).

How can I or someone I know be an athlete?

If you or anyone you know has an intellectual disability (mentally challenged) that is 8 or over can be in Special Olympics. Like me, being an athlete. Special Olympics changed my life. For, if I was not in Special Olympic I would not have all the friends I have now. I would of not learned the skills I would need for the working word. Yes, I would have been fine. But Special Olympics makes it all grater.

Being in Special Olympics builds an athlete skills and self-esteem for the working word. It might take time and energy. But if they get involved in Special Olympics when there young, all the better for them.

I participate in swimming and bowling. I have tried golf, track & filed, equestrian. Special Olympics has been the greatest achievement for me throughout the years. More then anything I have learned the meaning of friendship and getting along with others. While for others that’s not so easily done.

I am learning how to become an athlete leader thought ALPs (Athlete Leadership Program).

Which ALPs is where athletes can go beyond just doing sports. ALPs allows athletes to explore opportunities to participate in monthly meetings and going to Leadership Training. Such participation might come in the form of an athlete serving on the Board of Directors or local organizing committee; or it might find an athlete as a spokesperson, coach or official. ALPsUniversity offers athletes a chance to take courses designed to train them in the skills that will take them towards such goals of leadership.

My kid or someone I know has an intellectual disability. How can Special Olympics help?

Take it from an athlete. Special Olympics changed my life, even if I don’t think so. Being an SO athlete has given me the courage to want do more to help other athletes. I started when I was young. When classmates and kids start to make fun of you for what you are, not who you are. Special Olympics is always there for your kids saying you are who you’re meant to be, not what kids your age say. Yes, they have life classes in school. But does that teach your kids hands on. Special Olympics does just that and more.

If your kids participate in Special Olympics, first they will learn the meaning of friendship. They also learn the skills they will need for the working world. Getting along with others, how to communicate better, and more. In SO it’s all about the athlete.

As an athlete SO has been the best thing for me. To sum it up, SO is a hands on life skills class that your kids can be in until there tired of it. They just have to be 8 or older. There is no age limit. In my state the oldest man to participate in the State Games is 70.

Is the Paralympics the same as the Special Olympics?

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralympics

The Paralympic Games are a multi-sport event for athletes with physical and visual disabilities. This includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and cerebral palsy. The Paralympic Games are held every four years, following the Olympic Games, and are governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The Paralympic Games are sometimes confused with the Special Olympics World Games, which are only for people with intellectual disabilities.

Although the name was originally coined as a portmanteau combining 'paraplegic' (due to its origins as games for people with spinal injuries) and 'Olympic',^[1] the inclusion of other disability groups meant that this was no longer considered appropriate. The present formal explanation for the name is therefore that it derives from the Greek preposition παρά, pará ("beside" or "alongside") and thus refers to a competition held in parallel with the Olympic Games.^[1]