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 News from Around the Americas | May 2005 
Special Olympics A Testament To Will And Determination
 Rhona Statland de López - The Herald
| | Currently, 23 states in Mexico, from Aguascalientes to Zacatecas, are active in Special Olympics with a total of some 14,000 athletes. |
The Olympic Games celebrate outstanding physical prowess. The Special Olympics showcases the courage and spirit of young people with disabilities.
Established in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a sister of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, the Special Olympics has grown to encompass 160 countries, including Mexico. Children starting from the age of 8, teenagers and adults all with a variety of physical and mental disabilities are given the opportunity to compete in summer and winter sports. Here the goal is truly not whether you win or lose but the benefits of playing the game.
Many children with profound mental or physical abnormalities often face stigmatization by society coupled with parents who tend to hide them away out of fear or shame. Some may spend their days doing little else than watching TV.
Special Olympics gives people with disabilities a chance to shine. "It helps them improve their abilities by using their muscles and strengthening their bodies," says Viveca Torrey, National Director of Special Olympics Mexico. "They develop selfesteem as they begin to see themselves as winners."
Not devoted to only the best athletes, Special Olympics gives every person with a handicap a chance to participate according to his physical ability. "I want to win but if I cannot, let me be brave in the attempt" is the Special Olympics athletes' oath.
As the participants practice to get ready for the competitions that include basketball, soccer, floor hockey, weight lifting and ice-skating, among other sports, they have the opportunity to socialize and develop friendships. As they improve both physically and socially, their parents may start to see them in a new light. It can have a positive effect on the whole family when they start feeling proud of the progress their family member has made. Society as a whole becomes more accepting as Special Olympics focuses on the courage and fortitude they show in competition.
Special Olympics also helps the kids to be better students. An article in their in-house magazine, Spirit, by Linda Fenley describes the travails of Ana María Millan Sánchez who lives on the outskirts of the city of Puebla.
A fifth grader struggling with her studies, Ana María's primary school suggested that she try first grade again. That was enough to make her dislike school where she was already suffering from her schoolmates' rejection and aggression.
Transferring to a Special Education school, Ana María was still a "reluctant student, timid, insecure and withdrawn." Then she discovered ice-skating in the Special Olympics. Her enthusiasm for it grew the more she practiced.
Fenley writes, "Later her parents agreed to support her participation in Special Olympics Mexico's first National Ice-Skating Competition. This required the commitment of the entire family particularly since the ice rink in Puebla was closed and Sánchez had to travel two hours to Mexico City twice a week for three months to practice."
As a result of her family's support and her own sacrifice and perseverance, Ana María won first place in the national competition. She went on to win a gold medal in figure skating at the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Her success in the Olympics followed her to school. She developed a better relationship with her classmates and teachers who consider her an inspiration.
Currently, 23 states in Mexico, from Aguascalientes to Zacatecas, are active in Special Olympics with a total of some 14,000 athletes.
Actor and current California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has been involved with the Special Olympics ever since he married María Shriver, daughter of the organization's founder. Other luminaries such as Nelson Mandela, Bono, Jon Bon Jovi and Mohammed Ali have lent their names and hard work to this excellent group. Galia Moss, who hopes to be the first Mexican woman to sail alone across the Atlantic, is offering a donation to Special Olympics for every mile she sails.
Many feel that they want to do something special for these athletes whose strength of spirit brings them to victory. If you want to help, there are three ways to do so. First you can donate money. You can deposit your contribution in the BBVA Bancomer account # 0444802128. Second, you can transfer points from your American Express Membership Rewards account which is a valuable resource for Special Olympics. Finally, you can volunteer your time, helping the athletes during their training.
For further information on Special Olympics and how you can help, call 5254-3481 in Mexico City or 01-800-717-4261 everywhere else in Mexico.
Rhona Statland de López is always interested in her readers' comments. Please address them to rhonav@gmail.com |
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