Let Me Win!

by Jennifer Graham

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
Special Olympics motto

While Mark was playing bocce in Pennsylvania , his girl friend Kelly was powerlifting in Shanghai, China! They are both well-experienced, state-level champions in Special Olympics.

And, now, Kelly has added three International Special Olympics bronze medals to her collection!

After high school graduation, it's so important for our adult children to have social and competitive activities where they excel. There are fewer high-five's and "good job!'s" in their lives when they no longer walk down school corridors; there are fewer friends around to laugh with when high school ends. But Special Olympics offers a variety of sports every season and nearly all communities have at least one SO team.

We've found it's one of Mark's most fulfilling activities. He competes nearly every weekend. This year, he's been on a county-wide championship basketball team; will compete this November in bocce at Villanova University for the State championship; bowls every Sunday; and powerlifts with his team each Wednesday evening. Besides the good times, Special Olympics has helped him get in great shape!

If you ever doubt how much your child has to give to the world, visit http://www.specialolympicslive.org/?page=highlights&id=38&# to see how athletes with mental retardation just made the world a more compassionate place.

Take a few minutes to watch the videos. You'll be amazed - yes, even parents of kids with intellectual disabilities will be amazed and so very proud - at the athletes' skills, agility, determination, grace, ability and self-confidence! This is all about how instilling a can-do attitude enhances ability. It's about how our kids compete with dignity and respect, a lesson many professional athletes should learn. It's about how our kids just advanced civil rights in China . It's about how our kids just showed the world what ABILITY really means.

Jennifer M. Graham, mother of four unique kids, has written about the inspiring abilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities for twenty years. Her articles have appeared in national and regional magazines, and the anthology, You Will Dream New Dreams. She is the founder of onTRACK Transition Advisors and coaches parents and professionals on navigating the transition maze from special education to adult life in the community. Contact her at jenniferg@soulsupporter.com.