In the world we are surrounded by people. And people can choose to include. Inclusion means giving people the opportunity to take their time and giving them space. An inclusive world is what I want. For as long as I can remember, I was set aside from the others in my life due to being “the autistic” or weird one.
I always said growing up it’s about WHO you are as a person that presents your character. It’s not WHAT you are that matters. Special Olympics has shown me that, through eight or more years of being involved! Including people can go a long way for work, school, home, dating and pretty much every aspect of life.
At Special Olympics, there’s inclusion in every degree - fitness being one of the big ones. Volunteers encourage someone who only was told to walk to run. Volunteers push the powerlifters to go higher, not lower. And they believe in every second that athletes are trying.
Your friends and family can volunteer to coach and see what we are capable of. Everyone gets a turn, hears cheers from the crowd, and gets a chance to medal. Everyone is involved, everyone is invited, and most importantly, everyone is included.
I always said growing up it’s about WHO you are as a person that presents your character. It’s not WHAT you are that matters. Special Olympics has shown me that, through eight or more years of being involved!
A big thing within mainstream fitness is that people are expected to meet certain criteria of routines and techniques. However, some people aren’t able to meet that criteria. But with Special Olympics, there’s no base standards. Instead, you have YOUR standards! YOU decide what you can start, and you can go at your own pace and level. These are also inclusive standards, because everyone is on their own road to being healthy and physically adept, and others can help them or encourage them.
Doing fitness through Special Olympics has built my strength in body and mind. It will do the same for you and all others.
