I spent part of today going through the paper trail that had accumulated on one end of our dining room table. I have learned the hard way to stand near the waste basket when I sort the daily mail, so at least what I KNOW is junk mail never makes it to the table. However, if you don’t live by yourself, sometimes what arrives might be of interest to them. One thing we get a lot of, is pleas for help from all kinds of organizations. I suppose you do too.
There are many good charities to support. I do believe in digging deeper about where the money really goes if I am interested in supporting one of them. Most of the time I choose to support our local causes, whether it be in the schools, churches, or a community service. It feels good to be part of what is happening locally including helping our young people or older alike.
Several years ago I did become interested in the organization of Special Olympics. It soon will celebrate fifty years of existence, and it only keeps growing. It has been a half century of joy, courage, and empowerment. It was started in July of 2018 by Eunice Kennedy Schriver. She believed that if people with intellectual disabilities were given the same opportunities and experiences as everyone else, they could accomplish far more than anyone ever thought possible.
Actually it goes back as far as 1962 when Mrs. Schriver invited those same young people to a summer day camp held in her backyard! She called it “Camp Schriver”, and the goal was to explore the children’s skills in a variety of sports and physical activities. The seed was planted, and the idea began to grow.
Fast forward six years and in 1968 the first international Special Olympics Games were held in Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois. Events involving Special Olympics happen every day in communities across America. For almost five decades caring and compassionate people have been changing lives through sports training, competitions, and outreach efforts. The message has not changed..”Sport can be an enormous life-changing force for people with intellectual disabilities”.
Would you believe that Special Olympics has five million athletes from all over the world? There is a program called “Unified Sports” that puts people with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team to compete. That began after the year 2000, and has grown to over one million participants. What I love about this organization is that it has helped break down the stigma for people facing these intellectual challenges. It is being replaced with respect and admiration, both on and off the playing fields.
The oath of each Special Olympics participant is, “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”. How exciting for the growth of this powerful and purposeful organization. The power to change lives only for the better. In addition to the events shared above, in 1997 Special Olympics Healthy Athletes was launched. This part of the organization gives free health exams, trains many health care professionals, and gives out prescription eyeglasses to the athletes who need them. More than 130 countries benefit from this global public health organization.
Special Olympics Minnesota held their annual Summer Games this past June at Eastview High School in Apple Valley, MN. More than 7000 athletes participated, and hundreds of medals were awarded. I have never been to one of these events in person, but I am hoping to do that next year.
Each of us is traveling the same road of life, even though we each have vastly different experiences on the road. We have the opportunity to reach out and offer a helping hand by being a listener or an encourager in whatever way it is possible for us. The risks we may take to reach out and touch another person around us usually bring blessings beyond our imagination. I encourage you to look around and see who needs you!
lbeerman68@gmail.com
