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South Africa Spread the word t
- From: rvederman
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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
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GYAS through my eyes
- From: an14ka
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Description:
I would like to share with you an article that I wrote for my school newspaper. Hopefully it may find its way to a local or national newspaper as well:
Two years ago, I volunteered for a summer programe, whose primary goal was to organize educational camps for children deprived from parental care. At one of the closing nights of the project I was introduced to the team of Special Olympics Bulgaria, the regional representative of Special Olympics, a world organization that promotes inclusion of people with intelectual disabilities through sports. This partnership gave me the opportunity to experience several of the most inspiring events in my life and motivated my search for similar moments. A week has past since I returned from the last among those events held in Boise, Idaho (USA) where I participated in the first Assembly of the Global Youth Activation Summit.
For Bulgarians, even the names of those events sound quite alien, to the rest of the world however the cause of Special Olympics has become a movement, supported by millions of people. That is what I felt during the World Winter Special Olympics Games 2009 (Feb. 6-13) in the otherwise very small Boise. At the Games, 2,000 athletes, 5,000 volunteers, 1000 students and many fans united through sports, experienced the joy of winning and playing together.
The Bulgarian delegation succeeded beyond even the goals it had set itself before the Games. The Bulgarian Skiing Team that consisted of four athletes came back home with four gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals. The Summit delegation consisted of Tonqa, Bocce athlete, Reni, Special Olympics Bulgaria coordinator and myself, being Tonqa`s partner and translator. We contributed to this Summit by actively participating in discussions, organized activities and most importantly by being at the first Assembly of this Global Youth Activation Summit. As a result of that many people became interested in our country and started asking more and more questions about it and its contribution to the cause of Special Olympics. Talks with Timothy Kennedy Shriver and the rest of the coordinators of Youth programs made it clear that with a bit more effort Bulgaria may host one of the big Special Olympics sporting events. :)
I will remember this experience for many reasons: The story about the 60,000 scarves made by volunteers throughout the whole world, the sight of the city of Boise full of volunteers, the sight of a hall full of inspired people, the joy in Tonqa`s eyes throughout our stay there and the tears of happiness in the eyes of our small champions. Everyone should live through an event like this, because that is the only atmosphere in which you can feel the power of people`s spirit and find your calling in life.
Anna Dimitrova
Let all teachers that like this article read it to their students.
Be fans of unity!
- Blog post
- 9 months ago
- Views: 555
- Not yet rated
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Youth and the O'Reilly Factor
- From: 2009_Games_Fans
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Description:
Guest Dick Morris used the word "retarded" in a self-mocking manner on the Feb 9 episode of the O'Reilly Factor. This video is the response from the Global Youth Activation Summit at the 2009 World Games
- 9 months ago
- Views: 1119
- Not yet rated
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My Speech
- From: hannahkasal
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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
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My Boise Adventure
- From: Carmelo
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Description:
Hi! I am Carmelo Sandiego, 16 from the Philippines/Asia-Pacific Region. Here's what i've done for the past week.
We arrived Boise International Airport on Friday, February 6th at 11:30 pm (local Mountain Time). I am with my sister and my dad and we are part of the Global Youth Activation Summit of Special Olympics. My job in this event is to interview athletes, volunteers, etc. I am an athlete also for the Philippine Team in Badminton. I participated in the National Games in 2006, 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai last October 2007 and I'll be also participating on March 1st, 2009 in Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippines.
Here are the people that I have met during the event:
a. VP Joe Biden (Vice President of the United States of America)
I saw him during the awarding ceremonies in Figure Skating and we were at the same box in Qwest Arena. I WAS VERY SURPRISE THAT HE WAS THERE! (February 12, 2009)
and he was the who gave the awards. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS WITH HIM AT THE SAME BOX
b. Dr. Besser (Director, Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
I saw him during the assembly of delegates in Red Lion Hotel. He discussed the role of his job with Special Olympics.
c. Mr. Terry Jackson (Undersecretary of Department of Education for Special Education)
I saw him also during the assembly of delegates in Red Lion Hotel. He discussed his job with Special Olympics as the Undersecretary of Department of Education for Special Education.
d. Nadia Comaneci
Olympic Gold Medalist for Gymnastics in 1976 and commentator of the Global Youth Rally. I met her when she interviewed me and my sister during the Global Youth Rally in Taco Bell Arena in Boise State University.
- Blog post
- 9 months ago
- Views: 646
- Not yet rated
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Assembly Game
- From: hannahkasal
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Description:
February 12th 2009
Hello, Today was our school's first Special Olympics assembly game for basketball. We invited Douglas High School's Special Olympics team to come participate by playing an assembly game in front of our whole school. That was a great thing for our school to experience. I had several comments from the students afterwards about how great it was and how much they enjoyed watching the athletes feel acknowledged. To begin this assembly both teams started off behind a large set of bleachers and when the announcer named off both teams, Sutherlin High Cheerleaders stood at the end of the court for both teams to run through the a banner that had been made especially for them that had said "Goodluck Sutherlin Bulldogs and Douglas Trojans". After the two teams had ran through the banner and lined up infront of the bench. Then the announcer named off each players name and number. Each athlete applauding for themselves for being recognized. After each individual was named. Tracie McKnight our school's Health/P.E./Unified P.E. Teacher and Special Olympics coach stood up and made an announcment and called up myself and Dony Knight out on the court in front of the school. She explained to the students and crowd that we had just gotten back from the 2009 World Winter Games Global Youth Activation Summit and explained that we were there to bring youth from all over the world to participate in getting the word out across not only America but the world. Then handed the microphone over to me and I then explained that one of the sessions that we had attended was about the "R-Campaign" and that it was a movment spread around the world to help promote people to not use the word "retard". I told the student body and staff and all the specators attending this assembly that the "R-word" was a hurtful word that discriminates several people across the world. And also asked if it could be a word people could exclude from their vocabulary. I also asked Dony what other word we could use instead of the "R-word" and he said..."Respect". Following up with that I then asked the crowd to repeat after Dony. "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." Thank you all. And the game began. There were two games. One traditional and One Unified team. Both teams played two 10 minute halfs. After the games were finished there was a team cheer and a line of high fives for a "Good game". The scores do not matter because what's important is that the teams both go out and give it their all and have a great time. Thank you.
- Blog post
- 9 months ago
- Views: 748
- Not yet rated
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Youth Delegates respond to "R"
- From: noahgray
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Description:
This video is a representation of the strong feelings presented by the delegates of the Global Youth Activation Summit who are advocating for those people with intellectual disabilities. This video was created in the reaction to the use of the "R" word in Bill O'Reilly's show airing February 9. Since the use of the "R" word was used in a derogatory way without a retaliation of O'Reilly these delegates wanted to voice their sadness in the effort to make their voices heard about ending the use of the "R" word.
- 9 months ago
- Views: 5772
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Come On
- From: Finkster
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Description:
This song was inspired by the GYAS and was put together mainly by Ethan Neslund and Omorrow Hogan. The East High school Swing Choir and Mrs. Deckers lifeskill level two class were also a part in making this song come together. We are very happy to present this new song called "Come On". We hope you all enjoy it and we cannot wait to see you all in Boise!
- 9 months ago
- Views: 5084
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jcusack
- Member
- Points:10
- Views: 479
- Since: 9 months ago
- Not yet rated
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Officer of China Special Olymp
- From: sijia_jin
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Description:
Officer of China Special Olympics Games Preparatory Committee interviewed by youth leaders
By Jin CHEN, Youth Partner, Special Olympics China
Shangji LU, the assistant supervisor of the Competition Department of the China Special Olympics Games Preparatory Committee, was interviewed by the Special Olympics athlete Sijia LIANG and her partner Jin CHEN on 23 Jan 2009 (Beijing time). The two youth leaders will work as a pair to participate in the 2009 Global Youth Activation Summit in Boise, Idaho, USA The 5th China National Special Olympics Games will be held in Fujian Province in 2010. Two youth leaders in Fuzhou interviewed one of officers who was responsible of 2010 Special Olympics National Games who introduced he Games preparation as well as the Special Olympics activities planned in Fujian province.
The conversation is excerpted as below. Sijia: Where will 2010 Special Olympics National Games be held? How many people will be involved? And how many competition items will there be in this game?
Mr. Lu: The 2010 Special Olympics National Games will be held in Fujian Province. We have established the Preparatory Committee of 2010 5th Special Olympics National Games, which include 11 departments, such as Games Operating Committee, Competition Department and Fundraising Department. The Games Committee has temporarily set up 1 demonstration item and 10 competition items including Athletics, Badminton, Table tennis, Football, Basketball and so on. The athletes are invited mainly from 31 provinces in mainland china and from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Considering Fujian is a place with a great number of Chinese immigrants, we might also invite the athletes from Singapore, Malyasia, Japan and Korea. The total number of native and foreign athletes is expected to be over 2000. With addition to the participants in the non-competition events, such as Youth Summit, Healthy Athletes and Family Support Network, and the officers fom SOI, Medias and volunteers, the number involved in this Special Olympics National Gams is expected to over 20,000. This Game will be held in September or October in 2010.
Sijia: Besides the competition items, are there any non-sports events?
Mr. Lu: In this Special Olympics National Games, we will set up events such as Youth Summit, Healthy Athletes and Family Forum and so on.
Sijia: Could you give an introduction to the Youth Activation Summit?
Mr. Lu: The Youth Activation Summit gather the youth with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in the meeting in which hold inspiring and educational discussion on hot topics of Special Olympics interview the Games organizer, composing report and other related activities. Through arousing the awareness of youth and calling on more youth getting involved in the Special Olympics to eliminates discrimination, thus build up the equality and a more harmonious society.
Mr. Lu: For the future development of Special Olympics, the government has aimed to launch two new-developed items, roller skating and bocce in the Rehabilitation Center by 2010. Besides the original land with space of 16.5 acres, we explored the new land to build venue for the two items. The new venue will be completed before May 2010. At that time the SO athletes will be able to access to a better equipped venue and we believe more Special Olympics competitions will be held in our province in future. For the venue renovation, our government has invested 250 million to show their support and concern with Special Olympics. It is a great gratification for the people with intellectual disabilities and also the Disabled Persons’ Federation in Fujian.
For the Special Olympics National Games, athlete Sijia LIANG hopes that she can participate in bocce competition and through her experience of youth leader to promote Special Olympics movement and arouse the people’s awareness toward special people. Her partner Jin CHEN will establish her personal website to call on people to pay attention to, promote and join the Special Olympics activities. - Blog post
- 10 months ago
- Views: 561
- Not yet rated
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Finkster
- Silver
- Points:1125
- Views: 1335
- Since: 10 months ago
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hiltonhanreck
- Member
- Points:100
- Views: 757
- Since: 10 months ago
- Not yet rated
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FOREVER FRIEND
- From: sijia_jin
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Description:
Children with and with out intellectual disabilities took part in the ceremony for the 2009 Special Olympics in Fuzhou, south China on Jun. 16, 2009. During the ceremony, the children played game and drew s together. The athlete leader Sijia LIANG, who will attend the 2009 Special Olympics Global Youth Activation Summit, acted as a great interviewer, to interview her peer special athlete. She is also the host during the whole ceremony.
- 10 months ago
- Views: 296
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Drawing the picture
- From: sijia_jin
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Description:
Children with and with out intellectual disabilities took part in the ceremony for the 2009 Special Olympics in Fuzhou, south China on Jun. 16, 2009. During the ceremony, the children played game and drew picture together. The athlete leader Sijia LIANG, who will attend the 2009 Special Olympics Global Youth Activation Summit, acted as a great host and interviewer, to interview her peer special athlete.
- 10 months ago
- Views: 566
- Not yet rated
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Athlete leader are interviewin
- From: sijia_jin
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Description:
Children with and with out intellectual disabilities took part in the ceremony for the 2009 Special Olympics in Fuzhou, south China on Jun. 16, 2009. During the ceremony, the children played game and drew picture together. The athlete leader Sijia LIANG, who will attend the 2009 Special Olympics Global Youth Activation Summit, acted as a great host and interviewer, to interview her peer special athlete.
- 10 months ago
- Views: 1078
- Not yet rated
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''See,I got a medal''
- From: sijia_jin
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Description:
Children with and with out intellectual disabilities took part in the ceremony for the 2009 Special Olympics in Fuzhou, south China on Jun. 16, 2009. During the ceremony, the children played game and drew picture together. The athlete leader Sijia LIANG, who will attend the 2009 Special Olympics Global Youth Activation Summit, acted as a great host and interviewer, to interview her peer special athlete.
- 10 months ago
- Views: 497
- Not yet rated
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Interviewed by journalist
- From: sijia_jin
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Description:
Children with and with out intellectual disabilities took part in the ceremony for the 2009 Special Olympics in Fuzhou, south China on Jun. 16, 2009. During the ceremony, the children played game and drew picture together. The athlete leader Sijia LIANG, who will attend the 2009 Special Olympics Global Youth Activation Summit, acted as a great host and interviewer, to interview her peer special athlete.
- 10 months ago
- Views: 442
- Not yet rated
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