Special
Olympics Africa > Inspiration
“Special
Olympics is my life”
Joshua Agare, Special
Olympics Kenya, Athlete Board Member, Sargent Shriver International
Global Messenger.
There are few more
effective ways of portraying the power of the Special Olympics movement
than to hear from the athlete themselves how Special Olympics has
transformed their lives. And every athlete has a story. A story that
starts with shame and disappointment, but ends with immense joy and
pride. Today we reach over 3 million athletes around the world. We
have 3.1 million stories
of individuals with intellectual disabilities showing courage,
overcoming obstacles, trying, succeeding, and exceeding our
expectations. And we will not stop. We will not stop until we have
reached the estimated 190
million individuals with an intellectual disability that are
hidden in our neighbourhoods and our communities. We will not stop
until we have told 190 million stories that end in victory.
In the words of Special
Olympics South Africa athlete and Chairman of the Global Athlete
Congress Ephraim Mohlakane, “I have been working with different
community centres around here and all over the world to create
awareness. We have made some progress but we still have a long way to
go.”
Participation
To be eligible to
participate in Special Olympics, you must be at least 8 years old and
identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following
conditions: intellectual disabilities, cognitive delays as measured by
formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due
to cognitive delay that require or have required specially designed
instruction.
There is no cost to
participate in Special Olympics and all new athletes must register with
their local program and obtain a medical clearance certificate.
The Special Olympics Young
Athletes™ program was created for children with intellectual
disabilities ages 2 through 7 and involves play activities and an
introduction to sports. Athletes with multiple and profound
disabilities may participate through the Motor Activities Training
Program (MATP), developed by
physical educators, physical therapists and recreation therapists. MATP
emphasizes training and participation rather than competition.
Benefits of
participation
Children and adults with
intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop
improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and
a more positive self-image. They grow mentally, socially and
spiritually and, through their activities, exhibit boundless courage
and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover
not only new abilities and talents but "their voices" as well.
Athlete Leadership
Special Olympics is not
only athlete centric, but athlete led too as athletes are involved in
decision making at all levels of the organization.
Special Olympics Athlete
Leadership Programs (ALPs)
allow athletes to explore opportunities for  participation in roles previously considered
"non-traditional." Through ALPs, athletes serve on Boards of Directors
or local organizing committees. Athletes excel as spokespersons, team
captains, coaches and officials. Demonstrating their skills in all facets of our
society.
“Special
Olympics has helped me a lot, both in my health and my well being.
I have been able to grow as an individual and I am now very confident
about
myself and I feel as if I am a valuable member of society”
Florence Nabayinda,
Special Olympics Uganda, Athlete Board Member; Member Special Olympics
International Board of Directors.
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