Special Olympics World Games

What stood out to me the most about Special Olympics Nebraska are the programs they provide. The three main programs are sports, health and education. To me, the biggest program out of the three is their sports programs. This program provides so much to these athletics. Not only does it allow them to become active again, and participate in competition, but it opens up doors for them. For example, the Special Olympics changed Eric’s life. Before the Special Olympics, Eric was very shy, and did not open up much. However, that change very quickly once he began participating. Now, Eric is very open, and goes around telling his story. This is just one case of many of how the Special Olympics effects their life’s. Their health programs are also a

Everyone has their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Those with disabilities are no different they just have a different set then everyone else. I chose this project topic because in 5th and 6th grade I was part of a program called Peer Pals. Once a week during recess I volunteered in a special needs classroom. This work opened my eyes to the world of special needs and Peer Pals is one of the things I miss about elementary school. I realized that I needed to continue helping the special needs community. No solutions presented themselves and then one day the solution stared me in the face from it’s home in the Reston Community Center Program Guide. “Volunteer at the Adapted Aquatics Class,” I had found a solution to my problem.

Abstract: The Special Olympics not only give special athletes athletic skills, they offer more opportunity, encouragement, and dexterity to survive in society than the public school system alone. To understand the differences and similarities between handicapped athletes and their non-handicap peers is the first step in creating a program that best meets the child's needs. There were no community programs that catered to the mentally and physically challenged, so Eunice Kennedy-Shriver created "special games" in her back yard for her handicapped child. Shriver established the Special Olympics in 1968. Today there are more than one million special athletes competing in 140 countries. There are some problems with relying on the

Last year was the first time I worked the Special Olympics, and I didn’t know what to expect. I signed up for it with my basketball team because the Special Olympians would be playing basketball and volunteers were needed to help run the scoreboard and keep time. Mr. Campbell, the man in charge, told me that the opportunity to play basketball will be an incredible experience for the special needs participants, but working the event will have an even greater affect on me. I was

Although special needs people in the 1960’s were considered useless, Eunice Kennedy Shriver took a stand for them. She created the special olympics, and camp shriver. She used the Joseph P Kennedy Jr. Foundation as well to bend her will on the country of America. The legacy she left behind

According to Disabled Spots USA, “National Handicapped Sports and Recreation Association renamed Disabled Sports USA in 1994. It has 91 chapters and 36 states in the United States. It gives sports and recreation programs not only the military people who get serious physical disabling because of their mission, but also people who have disability.” There are 303 million people, who have either mental disabilities or physical disabilities, living in the United States. “Disabled Sports USA provided sports and recreation programs to over 60,000 youth and adults who have some disabilities now according to Australian Paralympic Committee. ” Disabled people, who do some physical activity, are possible to spend happy life compare with disabled people, who did not do any activities. According to Disabled USA’ survey said, “The survey found that DSUSA Chapter Participants (CP) are twice as likely to be employed as the general population of adults with disabilities (68% vs. 33%). ”

One organization in particular that has large involvement within the community to help disabled kids is this organization called Miracle League of the Triangle. This organization is country-wide organization that is located in multiple parts of the country. In particular, one location is in Cary, North Carolina. This organization is specifically related to the sport of baseball. This league operates like a real baseball league where there are multiple teams and each team plays against each other. Each player has some sort of disability where it’s a physical disorder or a mental disorder. The good thing about the involvement is that each player is assisted by a person known as a BUDDY where they help the player run the bases and hit the ball. It’s a real bonding moment for both the player and the BUDDY. It shows that the BUDDY really cares for the player and it makes the player feel more appreciated. The mission statement for the league is to create positive life experiences for children and adults with special needs and for their families through baseball. The league also has some core values in which they take and consider in this organization. Some values are that everything that is done should be player-centered and create an accepting, safe, and fun environment. The world sometimes responds in a ways not to accept people with special needs because they think they don’t fit into the society so they simply exclude them from most activities or other involvements in the community. To change this issue, the leagues organizes the baseball games to give kids a chance to participate in the community even if the league is a specific minority group. It gets these kids more involved to have exposure of interesting things in the world. The league gives everyone the opportunity to participate which creates unity among each other. The BUDDY system helps the staff, board, coaches

This event happens once a year and takes place at our high school stadium. Special needs kids come from all around my community to compete in events that best suit their physical or intellectual disabilities. It is truly astounding to see a whole community come together to support these kids. At this past year's Olympics I volunteered as a peer buddy and my responsibilities included walking my buddy, Luke, to his different events and making sure he was having a good time. Luke won first place in the ball throw and second place in the 100 meter dash. I loved seeing how happy he was when he was handed his ribbons and I was so fortunate to have been able to spend the day with

In ninth grade, my mother suggested that I volunteer with peers at my high school who are special needs. She thought it would be good for me to meet other people my age who have their unique struggles in school, much like myself. I protested originally, but little did I know I would love volunteering with my peers, regardless of their disability. During this time, I signed up to volunteer with a local organization called Buddy Ball. At Buddy Ball, I had the opportunity to teach children with disabilities ages five through twenty-one baseball. When I volunteered with my peers, I mainly saw high schoolers with severe autism, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disturbances, whereas with Buddy Ball most of the participants had severe autism, intellectual disability, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, epilepsy, or a multiple of disabilities. Both of these experiences allowed me to gain knowledge of a variety of special

Sports and other physical activities help build other important life skills like courage, friendship/teambuilding, and problem solving skills. Not only do the members make new friends but as I volunteer myself I have met plenty of interesting people while helping out with the program. The foundation cares about their members very much and have several projects to help the disadvantaged like UNIFY that helps “increases athletic and leadership opportunities for students with and without intellectual disabilities, while creating communities of acceptance for all.” There are many great opportunities provided to get involved with this program because they want everyone involved including the disabled as well as the community. It is also a great way to get your high school sports teams some volunteer hours or if your club wants to help out in your community SONM is a great place and they welcome all the help they can

Volunteering for the Special Olympics was an incredible experience, while interacting with the athletes I learned to be more appreciative and I saw genuine happiness. I was given the amazing opportunity to volunteer at this event because I am a part of Grace club. Grace club is an organization in my school that helps and interacts with kids who have special needs. One of the club's main goals is informing others about the disabilities these children have and how to properly interact with them. It also works towards building respect for people with disabilities and changing the public's perception of these disabilities. I decided to join Grace club for various reasons, but the main reason I decided to join the club was because I would be able to help and interact with these children. I believe lots of compassion and patience is needed when interacting with these children. Volunteering in this club and the Special Olympics fulfills my needs of helping

For as long as I can remember I have always loved being around and working with kids, and I have always had a special place in my heart for children and adults with special needs. This past winter I was able to raise money and awareness for an organization that

For my service learning project, I had the pleasure of volunteering at both Hope Haven and Brooks adaptive sports. Both organizations are great places known for helping people with disabilities. Hope Haven is an institution that focuses on education and therapy for children and families in need. Their sole mission is “to ensure that children and families realize their full potential by providing specialized services and individualized educational opportunities” (Mission). Hope Havens whole vision is to shape individuals into independent, educated people who are able to function in community life (Missions). Brooks adaptive sports has a very similar mission to Hope Haven, but is more geared toward recreational activities. Their mission is to “Provide individuals with physical disabilities the inspiration, education, training, access and opportunity to participate in a world class adaptive sport and recreation activities” (About).

Together they helped bring attention to people with intellectual disabilities and more scientists began doing research and more doctors were trained to work with them. 1962 is when Camp Shriver began and spread across the country, eventually evolving into the Special Olympics.

“Let me win, and if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt” The oath made by the courageous, dedicated, honorable men and women of the Special Olympics. Founded in 1968, Special Olympics showed the world that people with disabilities can be valued and respected, contributing members of society.