Highest Rated Blog Posts

• Eunice Kennedy Shriver 1921-20

  • From: jswim77
  • Description:

    Mariah Carey - Hero

      

    You are the hero within all of us

    For starting something so great

    You changed the world for the better

    We will be forever grateful for it

    Thank you

    I and all the athlete's thank you

     

    For starting something that will last a lifetime

    For without Special Olympics

    I would not be who I am today

     

    You will live on in all of us

    And we are forever grateful for you

    For without your vision

    We would be the same world

    As it was so many years ago

    Before you started Special Olympics

     

    I cry in your name

    Not because you passed But because of what you started

    You are the inspiration we all need

    To be the athlete’s we are today

     

    I thank you

    For having a dream

    That we can all win

     

    Being in Special Olympics

    Makes all the heart

    From kids in school go away

    That make fun of us

    For what we are

    They don’t look at who we are

     

    I have been heart

    Just like others like me in school

    Some I can’t forget

    But Special Olympics

    Makes it all better

    For, they see you for who you are

    Not what you are

     

    For, if only all kids with intellectual disability’s

    Could see that Special Olympics

    Can change their lives

    They would be much better off

     

    Those with intellectual disability’s just want to be the same

    As those without intellectual disability’s

    Have a life they can be prod of

    Looked up to for who they are

    Not what they are

     

    Don’t we all want to do something good with are lives?

    Live out are lives as God planed for us

    Whatever that may be

     

    I know that’s what I wan to be

    And, do something special with my life

    In grade school I would look at all the other kid’s

    And, ask mom when I got home

    “Why did God make me this way”

    I know God has a plan for all of us

    We might have to go through some thought times

    But, we can make it through the rain

     

    The climb is long

    But, we will get their in time

    To see the founder again

  • Blog post
  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 577

• A mother's witness

  • From: kenya
  • Description:

    Partcipating in the Young Athletes/Familiy Funday organised by Special Olympics Kenya was a rewarding experience for me and my son Mash.

    I had resigned myself to the fact that my son would never prosper in anything but seeing him participating in the young athlete activities I realised that he had a talent in sports and now I have hope that my son will prosper in something; sports. The happiness I saw in my son's face on that day cannot be equalled to anything, by the time we were going back home all he wanted to acquire was a ball, he kept on asking me if I will by him a ball on our way home.

  • Blog post
  • 5 months ago
  • Views: 759

• fun

  • From: GatewayHS
  • Description:

    Mellanie blair                                                               

    April 1, 2009

     

    it is fun yestrday. Our class made T-shirts and we set up our lunch room so kids could take a piedge to ban the R-word.

    When the kids sign the pledge they got stickers we made and got to shred a paper with the R-word on it. After our hard

    work  we had some pizza. l enjoyed the day!

  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
  • Views: 438

• Sandy Clark- Athlete Parent Qu

  • From: LizaNolan
  • Description:

    "I believe Unified Sports has been a very positive experience in the life of all the participants as well as in the lives of the family members and fiends of those participants. I watched as the young lady with whom I am affiliated gained confidence and personal pride not only in her increasing abilities, but most of all in the group process that occurred making her feel an important member of this initiative. She now counts her team members as her friends. Show now believes in her abilities to “try”. Shoe now knows she “does not have to be perfect and can make mistakes because it is okay to be human”. Shoe also gained trust in those who helped lead her team, especially in Dr. Meyers who is a most special influence. As if this is not enough, she also now has more faith in her ability to achieve the outside community and to expect that she will find acceptance from those who are interested in attending such events. I also suspect that this “Project Unify Grant” also brought positive attention to Woodland High School’s entire school population. At the “awards night” I was impressed by the cheering from all the audience, students and adults, for the Unified Sports award recipients and at the way in which each recipient stood tall and proud as they were given their awards. Last but not least, who could forget the participant who handed the ball to the opposite team member, just to make sure everyone got their chance to be part of this experience. I am sure the positive responses experienced through this program will last the lifetime of each student and for all who had the good fortune to be able to cheer those students on to personal success.”

    Sandy Clark, Athlete Parent

    Woodland High School

     

  • Blog post
  • 5 months ago
  • Views: 508

• Here we go again...

  • From: ryaneades
  • Description:

    UPDATE OCTOBER 14:

    Wow, so this just doesn't stop. I just saw a preview from the latest issue of Rolling Stone Magazine in which Madonna (she's on the cover) gives an in depth interview on her career and life.  One paragraph in which she speaks about musical regrets or predicting a hit. Here is the excerpt, please note the bold is my addition:

     

    But Madonna doesn’t have many musical regrets. She tells Scaggs about writing “Live to Tell” and “Vogue,” returning with a head full of brand-new ideas on Ray of Light and teaming with some of the industry’s biggest hitmakers on Hard Candy. But after all these years, she admits she still can’t sniff out a Number One. “I’ve never been a good judge of what things are going to be huge or not. The songs that I think are the most retarded songs I’ve written, like ‘Cherish’ and ‘Sorry,’ a pretty big hit off my last album, end up being the biggest hits,” she tells RS. ” ‘Into the Groove’ is another song I feel retarded singing, but everybody seems to like it.”

     

    So, what are your thoughts?  What do you think about the fact that the media is speaking about Madonna and Guy Ritchie fighting back and forth, but NO ONE is talking about the hurtful language they are using by throwing around the R-word with reckless abandon.  Share your thoughts in the comments below along with your thoughts on Guy Ritchie's recent usage as outlined below.

     

    Original Post - October 8
    

    By now you've probably heard about the most recent, or at least most publicly recent, uttering of the R-word (retarded) by yet another celebrity.  This time around it was indeed used as an insult from director/producer Guy Ritchie in reference to his former wife Madonna. Said Ritchie in an interview published on October 7 from Esquire Magazine, "I still lover her, but she's retarded too."

    Of coursre it was just last October that Madonna referred to Guy Ritchie as "emotionally retarded" while on stage in Boston in front of 20,000 people.

    Sigh...

    I'm going to let the tabloids dive into the obvious comments about immaturity, lack of originality or overt comparisons to the verbal equivalent of limp wristed slap fights going on between Madonna and Ritchie.  That's their business.

    What concerns me, actually check that, what annoys the crap out of me, is that a year after Madonna's uttering of the R-word toward Ritchie, we've gone exactly nowhere as a society despite the efforts around the "Tropic Thunder" protests, the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign and so forth.  Don't get me wrong, there's been lots of great work and there is lots of great work being done right now to continue the battle for respect and dignity for people with intellectual disabilities by raising society's awareness to the hurtful nature of the R-word.  But man is it frustrating sometimes. 

    So in an effort to work off some of that frustration, I'd like to encourage you to let Guy Ritchie know how you feel about him using the R-word as an insult.  Tell him how it makes you feel.  Tell him why it hurts.  Tell him why he should stop.  Tell him about the accomplishments you've made in your life.  Tell him that you expect better from him.  Invite him to one of your local Special Olympics events and ask him how he feels about using the R-word afterwards.

    If you need some inspiration in what message to send to Mr. Ritchie, I've embedded the letter that our Chairman, Tim Shriver, sent to Madonna after last year's incident.  There will be a letter of similar nature going to Mr. Ritchie in the immediate future, rest assured.

    Other than that, please find various contact information for Guy Ritchie below. Happy writing!

    Ritchie's Talent Agency:

    Mr. Guy Ritchie
    c/o Beth Swofford
    Creative Artists Agency
    2000 Avenue Of The Stars
    Los Angeles, CA 90067
    USA
    Phone: 424-288-2000
    Fax: 424-288-2900
    http://www.caa.com/

     

    Mr Ritchie's Management Group

    Mr. Guy Ritchie
    c/o Anonymous Content
    32 Hayden Ave
    Culver City, CA 90232
    USA
    Phone: 310-558-6000
    Fax: 310-558-4212
    http://www.anonymouscontent.com/

    Special Olympics Letter to Madonna

    View more documents from Ryan Eades.
  • Blog post
  • 1 month ago
  • Views: 659

• U Conn Volunteers for Special

  • From: rvederman
  • Description:

     

    

    Pictured from left to right:  Ryan Matthews, Laura Harris, Eddie Boynton, Robert Puff (student director), President Michael Hogan, Katelyn Donovan (student director) and Meg Carley.

    From Beau Doherty, President, Special Olympics Connecticut (www.soct.org)

    The UCONN OC is run out of the Department of Student Services and has become an integral part of campus life for students attending UCONN at the undergrad and graduate level. In the 2008-2009 school year, over 2,000 students will have volunteered 50,000 community service hours for over 60 non-profits, schools, organizations and causes.

     

    The UCONN volunteers have become a huge resource to the Eastern Region since they moved to Norwich in 2004 and SOCT knew some of the seniors who would be graduating soon so it was a time to thank them for their time and effort. In the 2008-2009 school year UCONN has sent over 250 volunteers total to the Chowderfest, 3 bowling qualifiers, CAS soccer, volleyball/basketball qualifiers, and 2 penguin plunges. They spear headed the R-Word Campaign through the campus e-mail and residence life staff, raised $4,500 through Dodgeball and had 170 volunteers registered for the Soccer Qualifier.

     

    Special Olympics Connecticut was absolutely floored when they announced the first ever UCONN Community Partner Award was being awarded to….Special Olympics Connecticut. It truly was a surprise and something we were not expecting. It’s a tribute to the mission of our program and these 18-21 year old volunteers of today are our future business, education and community leaders of tomorrow.

     

  • Blog post
  • 6 months ago
  • Views: 759

• Will and I

  • From: slunetta
  • Description:

    This was my college essay

     

     

    I first met Will when I was in middle school, but I didn’t know him, know who he was, or what he was about. I wasn’t a misinformed youth, though; I knew about mental and physical disabilities through my parents’ work at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center. So I didn’t think, as most would, “what is wrong with that kid?” I just was curious, as all people are: who was he? What is he like? I knew he must be cool because he was hanging out with my Sensei, Jim Aborn.
     When I first got to high school, I was still trying to figure out who I was, and halfway through sophomore year I went into the Life Skills room and asked if I could volunteer for the Special Olympics. That was probably one of the best decisions that I have made in my life. The first event I went to was the regional Winter Olympics. When I got on the bus, I was a little nervous, the way you get when you try something for the first time. Will walked onto the bus, everyone started yelling, “Hey, Will!” and “What’s up, man?” He reminded me of a rock star as he entered. When he fist-bumped me I instantly felt welcome.
     I had a blast. When my mom picked me up from the bus, I flat out told her that that was the single greatest experience I had ever had. I felt I had found my calling. As the year went on, I attended as many Special Olympic events as possible. The more I attended, the more I connected with Will, and we became close friends.
    The opportunity to go to camp with Will first arose during the summer of 2007. I was watching TV with my brother. The phone rang, the voice on the phone was a teacher at my school named Lisa Cochran. Why was I talking to a teacher after I just got out of school two weeks ago? She told me that there was a sleep-away camp that her son attended each year, but this year she had the dilemma of him not wanting to go. She asked him if he would like it more if I joined him, and his eyes lit up and he immediately wanted to go.
    At the time, Will was eighteen. He has an amazing sense of humor, infectious smile, a love of music, and he is a little mischievous. But the main reason I would be attending camp with him would be the fact that he has Down Syndrome, and I was going to be his buddy. The second I heard this offer I exclaimed “Yes!”
    Last summer I attended the camp with Will. When we arrived, Lisa briefly gave me some pointers. We then were left to fend for ourselves; it was liberating and exciting. I had a slight gist of how Will worked, his routines, his eating habits, and his communication. I was not as aware of these as I am now, but it was something that I knew. But none the less I was out of my comfort zone, the place where I feel like I excel. And not to boast but in this particular case I did. We went and found our cabin first, I had never attended this camp so I was not sure how it works or how I was going to be treated. So we went to unit two where we would be spending our next week, we got into our cabin and assimilated.
    I was responsible for Will, but I felt like his peer, and that’s how he thinks of me. Good friends help each other, make each other feel safe. That is what I did for Will, and what he did for me.
    Will has taught me much more than just how to work with people with Down Syndrome. He has taught me about myself: how to be a good person, a better person. He has given me abstract ways to look at everything, by challenging my first thoughts, and helping me interpret things the same way he does. He has also given me the greatest thing in the world: friendship.

  • Blog post
  • 10 months ago
  • Views: 848

• Battling ignorance and the R-w

  • From: ryaneades
  • Description:

    Today brought an interesting ebb and flow.  For those who don't know, I work in communications at Special Olympics, Inc. and while we all wear many hats I generally work on branding and marketing and this Fan Community site as well as all the other social media presences around the Internet like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc.

    Anyhoo, we've been working on putting together an event for the end of March, specifically 3.31.09, End the R-word Day.  This event is the brainchild of our highly energetic and inspiring youth that started the SO College initiative last summer.  The goal is to raise awareness around college campuses about the word "retard" or "retarded" and to educate college students about the hurtful nature of the word and to ask them to pledge to stop using the r-word. 

    The idea has picked up tons of grassroots momentum and is really taking off.  So today, actor John C. McGinley was on the Bonnie Hunt Show and he was wearing a "Spread the Word to End the Word 3.31.09" t-shirt, provided by the aforementioned SO College youth.  You may know John C. McGinley as Dr. Cox on the TV show "Scrubs."  Well, he's also the parent of 11-year old Max who was born with Down Syndrome.

    While attending our 2009 World Winter Games, Mr. McGinley was blown away by the enthusiasm and passion of our youth that are taking it upon themselves to educate their peers and activate them to create change.  He agreed to be the celebrity spokesperson for 3.31.09 End the R-word Day and has been making the rounds on the TV Guide Channel and the Bonnie Hunt Show among others, while wearing the t-shirt promoting the event.

    Well today's response was phenomenal.  Bonnie Hunt's website was flooded with comments in support of the campaign.  Our own R-word website received tons of new pledges to stop using the R-word and overall it was really great to see so much passion and activation throughout the day.  It was one of those days where you really get to see the payoff of the hard work we all do in support of the athletes.

    Then, near the end of the day, I got one of my 'Google Alerts' that immediately brought back the harsh reality of just how much work we all have to do as we move forward.  The Google Alert told me that American Idol contestant Kris Allen said the following in an interview about his recent performance on the show in which he moved on to the final round of 12 contestants:

    "I felt like I picked a song with an energy to it that maybe didn't need that guitar or whatever, and so you could dance around and kind of get into it.  You know, it was kind of a lot of practicing in the room by yourself and making sure you don't look like a retard or an idiot on stage in front of a million people."

    I felt like smacking my computer screen or letting an expletive or two escape.  Then I relaxed and realized there are only two ways to go about dealing with people like American Idol's Kris Allen who continute to perpetuate negative stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities by using the R-word in a hurtful manner -- whether they know it or not. 

    The first way is to just accept things as they are and that despite any efforts so many of us continue to make, things aren't going to change.

    The second way is to pin his comment up on my blog, along with many others like it so any time I feel like taking option 1, I can read this and revert back to the feeling of wanting to smack my computer screen. 

    So I'm choosing option 2 and using American Idol's Kris Allen's hurtful comment as further motivation to fight on, knowing that what we are doing by advocating for people with intellectual disabilities by calling for an end to the R-word is the right thing.

    I hope you'll join me.

     

     

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 1188

• Hollywood does it Again

  • From: ryaneades
  • Description:

    UPDATED SEPTEMBER 22

     

    UPDATED MARCH 13

     

    It looks like Hollywood has done it again.  I'd like to bring this article from the March 11 edition of the Chicago Tribune to your attention.

     

    The article is a Q&A interview with actor Craig Robinson (Daryl, the warehouse guy in "The Office") who has a supporting role in the upcoming movie "Miss March" which comes out in theatres on Friday March 13.

     

    --

     

    Q - In the script, the word "retard" is used over and over. The comedy "Tropic Thunder" received a great deal of criticism for using the same word. Was there any concern over how this might be received?

     

    A - I've heard nothing. There could very well be something, but I haven't heard anything. We shot it probably the same time as ["Tropic Thunder"]. I wasn't in the editing room. You'll have to talk to the guys who made those decisions.

     

    Q - But, as a comedian, is that just a toxic word now?

     

    A - It does seem to be. You can see it from a parent's point of view. But the way they use it in the movie is funny. It's silly. It's not going out to hurt anybody. It's definitely not coming from an evil place; it's just coming from the way people talk.

     

    ---

     

    Please note, I have not seen the movie, but Special Olympics has requested a viewing copy of the movie.

     

    What I do know is that the movie was written and directed by Zach Cregger and Trevor Moore, who both star in the movie.  Cregger and Moore were born in 1980 and 1981 so their script is a perfect example of the pervasiveness of the R-word within that generation's vernacular and shows just how high the lack of awareness is to the hurt the R-word causes millions of people.

     

    None of the movie trailers or promotional materials use the R-word.  My educated guess is there is a lot of dialogue along the lines of "You're so retarded" or "That's so retarded" and so forth. 

     

    The bottom line is, the R-word was used enough in the movie to prompt a reporter from the Chicago Tribune to make 2 of his 11 questions published in his article, about the R-word.

     

    I am encouraging you to do four things:

     

    1) Not spend your money to see the movie.

     

    2) Let the writers and production company and distribution company know how you feel about the R-word being in the movie by calling them, emailing them or writing to them.

     

    3) Go to www.r-word.org and make your pledge to not use the R-word.  If you've already pledged, Spread the Word to your friends and family!

     

    4) Don't have the time to write your own letter?  Copy the text below and post it as a comment on my blog below and I will send the chain of comments via email myself,

     

    "I will not spend money to watch this movie and I will do everything in my power to convince my family and friends not to spend money to watch this movie.  It is time for Hollywood to stop using the word 'retard.'"  

     

    MARCH 13 UPDATE:

     

    I came across an article on FilmCritic.com this morning that gives us more details on one way the R-word was used in this movie (I added the bold to the text).  It's not pretty:

     

    The best friend is Eugene (Cregger), a high-school student who doubles as an abstinence lecturer. Along with his devout girlfriend Cindi (Raquel Alessi), Eugene recounts how his brother had sex and then had "retard babies" that later went on to burn down his house and kill his mother. The tirade is accompanied by projections of Syphilis infected no-no areas.

     

     

    Please see below for how you can get ahold of the relevant people and let your voices be heard!

     

    Zach Cregger:

     

    Publicist is Jeffrey Chassen of Baker Winokur Ryder Public Relations (BWR)

    Mailing Address:

    World Wide Tower

    825 8th Ave

    New York, NY 10019

    Phone: 2129013922

    Email: jeffrey.chassen@bwr-ny.com

     

     

    Trevor Moore:

     

    Manager is Kara Walker of Generate

    Mailing Address is:

    1545 26th St.

    Ste. 200

    Santa Monica, CA 90404

    Phone: 310-255-0460

    Email: kara@generatela.com

    http://www.generateLA.com/

     

    Distribution Company is Fox Searchlight:

     

    Peter Rice, President

    Fox Searchlight Pictures

    10201 W. Pico Blvd.

    Bldg. 38

    Los Angeles, CA 90035

    Phone: 310-369-4402

    http://www.foxsearchlight.com/

     

    Production Company is Jacobson Productions:

     

    Tom Jacobson

    Jacobson Productions

    280 S. Beverly Drive

    Suite 316

    Beverly Hills, CA 90212

    Phone: 310-550-9319

     

     

    SEPTEMBER 22 UPDATE:

     

    First, my apologies for not updating this blog post before now as I should have done about 6 weeks ago, as various circumstances just didn't allow that to happen, but I digress.  I'd like to offer a big THANK YOU to everyone who spoke out about this movie and to FOX because as this review of the "Miss March" DVD reports, each instance of the word "retard" was removed from this movie!  Success!  I encourage you to read the comments below the article I linked to above as they are pretty typical of most conversations about the R-word nowadays.  The encouraging part about that is that a year ago during the "Tropic Thunder" protests comments in various articles were about 95 to 98 percent against our efforts.  As you can see that ratio in this particular article's comments is much closer to a 60-40 split.  I feel like that's significant progress toward shifting a societal paradigm, an incredibly encouraging development. 

     

    Additionally, I'd like to share a picture of an ad that our Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign put in the August 11 edition of Variety magazine to thank FOX for their support.  Enjoy!

     

    
    

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 2388

• Why I am here............SONE

  • From: projectUNIFYnebraska
  • Description:

    My name is Laura K. Strathe and I am a new infant/employee to the family of Special Olympics Nebraska.  I joined the team last October 6, 2008 to be the Young Athletes Manager.  I actually bought the Sunday Omaha World Herald and read the ad for SONE and YAP Manager.  Laughed a bit as the old wives tale goes......no one ever gets hired from ads in a newspaper.  Well, here I am!!!!!

    I grew up with a sister who was born with Spina Bifida which is a physical disability.  I became an advocate for her at a very young age.  Probably by age 7 I was not that easy to manage if someone was mean to my sister.  This trait carried over into my life in many aspects.  I am a gatherer of animals that are at shelters or rescues and are on death row because no one wants them.  So I take them and love them. 

    It is apparent as I reflect and as others, mainly relatives, comment that I was always an advocate for humanity including animals. 

    Yet another blog............

  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
  • Views: 544

• Those miracles --- Xiaoyue

  • From: Rockie
  • Description:

    When we are familiar with sumptuousness and impetuousness, they are regarded as life, everyone’s life, the same life of everyone.

    Maybe this is part of human nature--He who has already found the way he himself can survive will always neglect the joys and sorrows of those who are around him. Then some people are ignored and some are isolated from the world of others. Unfortunately, mentally impaired children are among those who are ignored.

    Their past was not paid attention to. They have experienced much more frustrations than we do. Maybe they don't take them as “frustrations”. There are merely happiness and lightness in their world, which is a happy paradise, a truly spotless paradise. However, many of them have to face the destiny of being abandoned and being exploited of their lives.

    While the feet of the development of the society step into more fields, the life of those with intellectual disability is brought into a new century. More and more people start to be curious about their world, expecting to do something for them. Thus, that crowd of people, who were not wholly accepted, was made into miracles step by step. Those miracles will be there only when we believe.

    After listening to Soeren’s speech, I’ve got that only love can make the world perpetual. No matter how much things which cannot be praised happened, only love can make them better. Many times, we ignore a lot of situations, which will reduce many troubles, but when we look back on these, some of them will let us be remorseful. About the “R-words”, they sound irritating. Respect, equality, is what everyone needs to make efforts on. Actually, I think it’s difficult to make comments on what we are keeping talking about, about how we can call the special children. To them, why is it necessary to give them some forms of address? Why isn’t it possible to call them as what we are called? Just children. I hope that the speech which Soeren gave us can inspire me and other partners to go further for protecting those children who should be protected and treated as we are.

    During the several years of being a volunteer for Special Olympics, I found that I am approaching my dream. YES. That’s my dream. The purity and protection they give to you if you treat them as friends catches me tightly. In this process, what I do is not just giving, but achieving and gaining as well. Getting the spirit of attempting, learning the conception of “global family of SO”, realizing the value of myself, etc.

    Learning from them, I learned to believe the world. Pulling away and hiding behind the troubles is not the key to a blissful life. We should believe the world and take the initiative when confronted with all the difficulties. If we are to believe in the world, we are assured of more happiness.

    I believe that, there is a day, each of  us will open our hearts enough to experience true unconditional love, because that is all any of us want to get. I believe that, there is a day; someone will love everyone as much as Olivia loves you. I believe that, there is a day; everyone will love somebody as much as you love her.

    
    Take action and get ourselves involved, NOW!!Spread the word to End the word!!

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 547

• TAA 1997 Vs Grove Forest ISD

  • From: coop8163
  • Description:

    I found out about two to three weeks ago about the Supreme Court Ruling on TAA 1997 VS Grove Forest.  This ruling makes all public schools have to pay for private special ed schools.  This is good in some ways for people with disabilities.  This is especially good for people with profound, severe, and moderate mental retardation.  They have a much better life at these schools, and they don't have to worry about people who are non-disabled that would make fun of them, mistreat them, or otherwise take advantage of them.  I also like this ruling because perhaps this will motivate the public schools to put more money into special education, because they will lose money, because each student the public schools have, they get money for it.  This will help people with other disabilities as well, such as autism, LD, etc. 

    However, I do have one concern.  I think people that are mildly mentally retarded, such as myself, should have a choice as to whether they want to go to the private schools or the public schools.  I say this because we have a LOT more capabilities than those of the lower levels, and how are we supposed to learn how to cope if we never have any exposure with people who are non-disabled?  That's the only REAL way we are going to be prepared for the real world.  They could make it where we can try public schools, and then if it gets to be too much for us, then we can just transfer to the private school the following school year, and then just stay there until graduation.  But if we like public school, then we can just go there.  This will also allow parents some options as well.

    Please feel free to comment.

     

  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
  • Views: 579

• South Africa Spread the word t

  • From: rvederman
  • Description:

    ST. Benedict's Ends the R-word

    by Thabo, Daniel and Hilton

    In February 2009, Daniel Edwards of St Benedict’s Preparatory School (partner), Mr. Hilton Hanreck (chaperone) joined up with Thabo Mabula (athlete) and formed the South African GYAS team to represent their country at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho.

    At the Global Youth Activation Summit (GYAS), the South Africans joined with representatives from all over the world to learn how to develop tolerance, eradicate stereotyping and promote Special Olympics, an international organisation that provides year round sports training and competition for people with an intellectual disability.

    One of the key aspects of this summit was the “End the R-word campaign.” Simply put this campaign strives to end the use of the word ‘retard’ when referring to people with an intellectual disability. This word is demeaning, insulting and displays complete disrespect for people with an intellectual disability.

    The campaign culminated with the “End the R-word” day, the 31 March. On this day, boys from St Benedict’s wore their “End the R-word” badges and went on a march through the school carrying a banner which states “SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD!” The event was a great success and served to promote Special Olympics and indeed end the use of the word, ‘retard.'

    Daniel, Thabo and Hilton were interviewed on a local radio station on the 30 March where they explained the campaign and what they were doing to promote Special Olympics and end the word.

  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
  • Views: 598

• I Want the World to Know

  • From: jswim77
  • Description:

    I want the world to see me as a person

    Not as someone who has a disability.

     

    I want the world to know me as a person

    Who can do anything they can.

     

    I want the world to know

    Those who are Mentally Challenged

    Are just like you and me.

     

    I want the world to know

    Mentally Challenged people can do the same as anybody else

    They’re just a little slower then you might be

    And in different way’s they may be better then you.

     

    I want the world to know that

    Every day after school I ask my mom “Why did God make me this way”.

     

    I want the world to know that

    God made each and every one of us who we are for a reason

    And that reason might take you a lifetime to find out.

    But you will find your reason why God made you who you are

    And who you are to become

    For He has a plan for everyone.

     

    I want the world to know

    I may not always understand why I write the things I write

    But does God write through me

    Or do I just think up this stuff out of the blue on my own?

    Only time will tell

    When I learn the truth.

  • Blog post
  • 7 months ago
  • Views: 611

• The R Word

  • From: Crystal
  • Description:
    I wrote this post on my own personal blog today, and wanted to share it with this community. I usually write about topics related to self-improvement and college life, but I thought that this issue was important to address.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Special Olympics Ad

    This Special Olympics ad highlights the emotional charge that the “r-word” carries (www.r-word.org). The campaign to eliminate the use of the word retarded rides on the coattails of Obama’s highly publicized derogatory comment about the Special Olympics.

    I’m not trying to be morally superior. Today I was at Castro Street getting dinner with a friend, when I made a comment about how “retarded” I was. I quickly realized my mistake, apologized, and replaced it with how “stupid” I was. Everyone is prone to it, it’s been so much a taken for granted part of our casual lexicon, but the point is that once we become aware of our choice of words, we can eliminate and replace harmful words in our vocabulary.

    I didn’t realize that language could be so powerful. Like many, I thought that words were just meaningless, and that there could not possibly exist the hyperbolic attitude so vilified by disability advocates. However, while reading the forum I stumbled upon a very insensitive comment on the r-word website that exemplifies the exact kind of attitude that they want to combat. I would like to excerpt a bit here:

    ..those who fight so hard to have people stop saying [retard] is, well, … retarded..Don’t you think we could use our time and resoucres to attack a larger issue in this country. I mean what about the economy? you talk about intolerance, we just voted in a black president for christ’s sake, what planet are you from to say we need more tolerance for people who are “mentally challenged, or metally reatarded”, use your time and resources to counquer something more productive instead of fighting something that doesn’t exist, you freakin retards… (read the whole thing here)

    I’m sorry cptwinks, but your comment exactly brings sympathy for the cause you berate so much for its “vacuity” and “insignificance”. I wasn’t fully a supporter of the r-word campaign until I read your comment, because now I realize what kind of bigotry and insensitivity pervades our society. The first thing I did was to look up the denotation of “retard”:

    retard verb |riˈtärd| [ trans. ]
    delay or hold back in terms of progress, development, or accomplishment : his progress was retarded by his limp.
    noun |ˈrēˌtärd| |ˈritɑrd| |rəˈtɑrd| |riˈtɑrd| |ˈriːtɑːd| offensive
    a mentally handicapped person (often used as a general term of abuse).

    Even my apple dictionary is more sensitive than cptwinks. For a moment, let’s grant the dictionary definition and examine what we usually mean when we say “retarded”.

    He’s so retarded: We don’t actually mean that he is mentally handicapped; when’s the last time you heard someone comment about a student with learning disabilities, “This is my student Peter, he’s so retarded”.  What we mean is that he is as stupid as someone who is mentally handicapped, and we mean that in the most derogatory sense. The implication is that the only characteristic of mentally handicapped individuals is their stupidity, and we mean that in the most derogatory sense.

    I had a neighbor who was born with Down syndrome. He was one of the sweetest guys I ever met. When the phrase, “He’s so retarded” will come to mean “He’s so sweet” is when I will agree with cptwinks in affirming that the word “retarded” is inconsequential.

    We do not accept the use of the phrase, “that’s so gay”, so why do we tolerate “retarded”? We respect the feelings of gay people, but not the feelings of the mentally handicapped. What’s even worse is that, our use of the word “gay” is usually deliberate; we are aware of our offensiveness and deploy our labels strategically. When we say “retarded”, we don’t even realize the impact we have. That the mentally handicapped are not even a group of people whom we consider to be worth insulting speaks volumes towards showing how much we actually do care about their feelings. To not even be a recognized group that we include in our sphere of decency; that’s the biggest blow of all.

    Finally, although this might be a bit of a tangent, I want to address another false assumption in cptwinks’ comment. To claim that because we elected a black president means that we’ve somehow managed to rid the entire country of prejudice (not even just racial prejudice) is just ridiculous. I’m sure that if Obama knew that him winning the election meant forfeiting the fight against prejudice and declaring it won, he would have given up the presidency. To rubber stamp all battles against intolerance and insensitivity as useless because of one victory is completely counter to the entire progressive ideal. Instead of facilitating progress, victories insert a huge road block. To me, this is just an excuse for laziness and a justification for tolerance of our intolerance.

    If you care about this issue, there are a few ways you can help:

    1. Start catching yourself whenever you say “retarded”, and do it out loud so your friends hear you too.
    2. Start correcting your friends whenever you hear them say it. They might find you annoying at first, but they will soon start to catch themselves.
    3. check out www.r-word.org and sign up for their community if you’re interested!

    If you're interested in reading the rest of the blog, the url is: www.thetroublewithcrystal.com

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 716

• A small effort can brighten a

  • From: LizaNolan
  • Description:

    Mary Ellen Weaving is an Autistic student and a Junior at Branford High School. She has been at BHS since Freshman year and is a participant with Unified Sports. Alyssa Gagliardi (Senior-Captain) worked with Mary Ellen at the High School. One night at a football game, Alyssa asked if Mary Ellen could come onto the field at half time as she loved cheerleading. Without hesitation, we invited her down. As the clock ran down to zero and the 2nd half was about to begin, I realized that Mary Ellen was still on the field. One of the girls gave her a cheer cube to stand on. Another gave her their pom poms to use. Mary Ellen stayed on the field the whole second half and the kids just accepted her.

    On Monday morning, I recieved a call from a parent (which as you know is usually never good). The woman on the other end introduced herself as Mary Ellen's mother, MIchelle. As she took a deep breath in, you could hear that she was obviously emotional. She proceeded to tell me that it has been a struggle to get Mary Ellen to school ever since she started. And on that Monday, after the football game on Friday night, Mary Ellen couldn't leave the house fast enough to go see "all her new friends on the cheerleading team".

    That night at prctice, I sat down and told them the story. I wanted to make sure they got the real message here. What may have been a small effort on their part like giving their pom poms or even just talking to Mary Ellen made the biggest difference to her. They needed to realize that even the smallest gesture can have the biggest impact. I wanted them to think about their actions going forwards - how hard is it to help pick up someone's books in the hallway? To step in if someone is getting picked on? Or just to smile/say hello for no reason...little things can go a long way - proof was right here with Mary Ellen.

    After that call, without hesitation, we got Mary Ellen a uniform. The kids designed her own cheer cube for her. She has been a prominent member of the team ever since. She participates at the games, watches at practices and even colors the kids' pictures on key days like States or Senior Day. This Friday night (3/6) on Channel 3, they will be doing a feature on this story with the kids that helped make Mary Ellen's life at BHS a little brighter.

    Megan Link, Branford High School, Cheerleading Coach

  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
  • Views: 891

• Virginia Coach Wins UPS Commun

  • From: Holly_Claytor
  • Description:

     

    Congratulations to Special Olympics Virginia Area 6 coach Richard Koch, who recently won the UPS Jim Casey Community Service Award, which is granted to one UPS employee each year to recognize outstanding community service.  Koch was rewarded for his long-standing commitment to Special Olympics Virginia. 

    For the UPS video on Richard's award go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3-unBpsdGg.

    During the last 12 years, Koch, who is director of accounting operations for UPS Freight, has logged nearly 70 volunteer hours for the organization per month, serving as a league director, coach and tournament director. He also developed the Manchester Invitational Basketball Tournament, the largest tournament for Special Olympics in the state of Virginia conducted entirely by volunteers. He further uses his accounting skills to help strengthen the agency's management and fundraising capacity.

    Koch's son is the inspiration behind his commitment to Special Olympics Virginia.  As the parent of child with an intellectual disability, Koch believes that without Special Olympics, many social, recreational and competitive athletic events wouldn't be available for his son and others with disabilities.

    The global UPS Jim Casey Community Service Award winner is chosen annually from nominations solicited from UPS's 425,000 employees. Congratulations, Richard!

  • Blog post
  • 9 months ago
  • Views: 897

• My Speech

  • From: hannahkasal
  • Description:

    This is a speech that I presented with Dony Knight,  to my school and at Regionals.

    Hello, I'm Hannah Kasal and here with me is my good friend Dony Knight.  We just got back from Boise, Idaho where we attended the Global Youth Activation Summit at the World Winter Games.  38 States and 20 Countries all attended the GYAS.  Our role in attending was to gain knowledge to help modivate the youth to become more involved with Special Olympics and aware of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.  One of the sessions we attended was about the R-Campaign.  The R-Campaign is a movement going on across the world to stop people from using the word, "Retard".  The R-word is a commonly used word in several people's vocabulary.  Often times you'll hear someone say, "That's retarded" or "You're such a retard".  Many people don't know it but they are using a inapropriate word that hurts and discriminates others.  I would like to ask you all to speak up for yourselves ans others in helping stop this word from being used.  Use RESPECT and take this word out of your vocabulary.  Today as you walk around I'd like you to take a second to look at some of the R-word banners hanging upon some walls across the school and hopefully they will be a reminder of how ONE word can make someone feel. ONE word CAN and WILL make a difference.  Thank You.

    After giving this speech I've had several questions/comments/acknowledgements from students/teachers/athletes/spectators/family.  The following day after giving this speech to my school at an assembly, I was sitting in class working when I heard someone say aloud, "That's so retarded!"  I instantly looked up and was searching for the voice that had anounced this hurtful word when I looked across the room and as a young gentlemen in my class stood up he asked the student who said the word, "Did you listen to Hannah Kasal's speech yesterday!" And he then was quiet.  He realized he had made a mistake and then apologized to me.  So I would like all of you to know that ONE little thing could lead to another BIGGER and GREATER thing.  Speak up because everyone has a voice and remember... One thing always leads to another.

  • Blog post
  • 9 months ago
  • Views: 1210

• My son and the "R" word...

  • From: LauraPope
  • Description:

    Today is Spread the Word to End the Word Day. I initially posted this on my journal at BabyCenter.com, who I am proud to say has highlighted this day on their homepage. I work for them and am very proud that they have done this. Another member and I have started a group there to commemorate this day and hopefully make an impact on the community there. I repost my journal here in the hopes of making an impact for those visiting this community

    Posted March 22, 2009: My son, my President, my heart:

    Tomorrow I will take my little boy to his 3rd swim practice for his very first Special Olympics. Tomorrow, I will again marvel at how adorable he looks in the pool, although he is 8 and the size of a 5 or 6 year old. Tomorrow, I will lament that when swimming, you can see he is bald on the sides of his head due to Down syndrome related alopecia. Tomorrow, I will again only hear perhaps one or two words come out of his mouth as he is non-verbal, but I will still love hearing them ("whale" and "house" if I'm lucky.) Tomorrow, I will not sleep through the night as I never do because he doesn't (not that it bothers him. ;-) Tomorrow, I will no doubt cringe when I see or hear the dreaded "R" word used on TV, in real life, here, or elsewhere online, without a second thought that the word hurts. Tomorrow, the IEP progress report that I received yesterday will still be on the wet bar with the qualifying diagnosis, "mental retardation" on the first page and the notations of lack of progress in some areas still in black ink. (Although he rocked in others, I am happy and proud to report!)

    But, tomorrow, I will NOT hear the man who I prayed would be elected my president make light of the Special Olympics. Tomorrow, maybe, I will think of what he said last night and not cry as I did last night and as I am today. I expect these statements from others. I hear them all the time. I've come to expect these hurtful and thoughtless statements from strangers, acquaintences, friends and even some family members. I've come to expect the "R" word being tossed around and defended and downplayed on a regular basis. But when it comes from someone you either love or respect or admire, the power of the statement cuts like a knife.
    

    So, Mr. President - WTH were you thinking? You are blessed with two beautiful, non-disabled children. I doubt you love them one ounce more than I love my own. I can't imagine they are any more perfect than my Jakey. But if they were disabled and could "only" compete in the Special Olympics, how on earth would you feel if someone -- especially someone you respect and admire - made the statement you made last night?

    Do I regret electing you? No. You are still the best option for this country, imo and I am not about to get into a political debate. And you did the right thing by calling the Special Olympics and apologizing last night. But there should never have been a need to. And you had no choice, did you? I don't doubt you didn't mean to be hurtful, but such thoughtlessness was unexpectedly wrong - just wrong. I thought you were better than that. Meanwhile, every single Special Olympian - those who understand what you said and those who don't - would still come over to you, forgive you and hug you. Perhaps an example I need to try to follow right now.
    

    And Mr. Obama, do you know which sport my little guy will be working on next? Bowling.

  • Blog post
  • 8 months ago
  • Views: 789

• Poem from Steven Coston

  • From: ryaneades
  • Description:

    Hi all,

    Recently Steven Coston, an athlete and global messenger from Special Olympics New Jersey, pictured right, shared a poem with our communications team at Special Olympics and I wanted to make sure everyone in our Community got a chance to read it, so enjoy!  Great job Steven!

     

    Let me win―by accepting me the way I am.

    Let me win―in educating me with one-on-one professional tutors.

    Let me win―by giving me health-care stability.

    Let me win―by having inclusion programs in our schools from elementary to college.

    Let me win―by having a decent well-paying career.

    Let me win―to live a decent independent lifestyle in a house or apartment.

    Let me win―in getting involved with the community and getting along with my everyday peers.

    Let me win―by having increased Unified Sports® involvement in team events.

     

    But if I cannot win―do not criticize me.

    Do not use the R-word.

    Do not label me because I look or learn differently.

    Do not segregate or discriminate against me.

    Do not bully me.

    Do not betray me.

    Do not limit my potential to earn, learn and live a stable lifestyle like everyone else.

     

    Let me be brave in the attempt―to move forward out of poverty.

    To have more federal funds and money to improve our survival in post secondary and higher education programs for special education students and disabled adults.

    To expand in other talents in which I am capable and living a productive life.

    To have common ground that we are all created equal and have justice in all opportunities in education, health care, career, shelter, food, clothing and in all challenges of life.

    As the world is in the 21^st century, this nation has learned about what happened in the 20^th century in what the civil rights movement was all about, in which the Special Olympics athletes and disabled children and young and older adults were the central core of this movement.

    What took place on 20 July 1968, from the first Special Olympics establishment to the nations first African American President of the United States of America―it means the impossible dream has come true!

     

  • Blog post
  • 6 months ago
  • Views: 931