Celebrating Personality Through Special Olympics
As Minnesotans anticipate the start of summer, they're also eager for an important community event supporting individuals with disabilities, the Special Olympics Summer Games! Held this year at the University of Minnesota from June 20th-22nd, the Special Olympics Summer Games will host athletes competing in sports like gymnastics, swimming, basketball, and more. Bringing in over 3000 athletes and more than 2000 volunteers, it's a large-scale event with high energy and high stakes. ACR Homes is proud to attend as a vendor-and we can’t wait to see you there!
With an event so large, filled with energy and fun, you might wonder if athletes with specific personalities and interests are drawn to compete. To answer that question, we met up with two veteran Special Olympics athletes that also happen to be ACR Homes residents to learn the answer. (For the sake of HIPAA, we'll be using the titles "resident 1" and "resident 2" to protect their names)
Resident 1: Quiet Confidence & Personal Growth
When we sat down with Resident 1 we expected to hear about the awards, confidence, and energy they gain from the event. But what we didn't expect was the important reminder that Special Olympics are about even more than a few days of excitement. Just like we're all individuals with unique gifts and talents, the Special Olympics is designed the same way, with events and competitions to accommodate different people throughout the year. Yes, the Summer Games are the highlighted event of the year, but did you know that there are ways to participate outside of that?
Resident 1 has a calm and quiet presence, preferring small events held locally around the Twin Cities. Bowling and track & field are her sports. She trains by walking with staff in the neighborhood where her group home is, giving her a special connection to the community around her. Bowling, her second sport, is something that's outside of her usual comfort zone. She said she doesn't do it unless it's for the Special Olympics, but when asked if she likes it, she gave us a simple "yes." Her bowling ball is tucked away at her family's home until her annual bowling competition comes. On that day she heads to the bowling alley and joins other athletes to bowl. She shared with quiet confidence that they've even won a ribbon for their amazing work. When asked what her favorite part about the Special Olympics was, she said "they're quiet". Although she's not naturally drawn to sports, we can clearly see the benefit to her life. For her, it’s about meaningful moments like being with family, pushing herself to grow, and enjoying activities in a setting that’s best for her! If a resident from ACR Homes is considering becoming a Special Olympics athlete, she encouraged them to give it a try! You don’t have to be a pro to join!
Resident 2: Sports Enthusiast & Community
In contrast, Resident 2 is a sports superfan with an outgoing personality. If you want to know about a certain local player or the score of the Vikings, Twins, or Timberwolves game, just ask her! She’s sure to know. Over the years she has participated in a variety of sports as a Special Olympics athlete and particularly loves to play basketball. The trophies and medals proudly displayed in her room show years worth of confidence building and achievement. The Special Olympics allow her to take a love of sports from watching to participating. It’s fun to hear her talk about the friendships, as the Special Olympics are not just an event, but a community for her. When asked about what she likes about competing she said, "it's fun, you meet new people, and get free lunch." She recommended that others considering becoming a Special Olympics athlete "shouldn't feel nervous, be patient, and it's worth it to take the time to do this".
So, do you have to be a sports fan or extrovert to participate in the Special Olympics? Definitely not! The Special Olympics meet people where they’re at, offering opportunities to thrive in ways that suit them individually. If someone you know is considering becoming a Special Olympics athlete in Minnesota, please visit their website to start the easy process!