Special Olympics 2013

Collegiate always hosts the Special Olympics at our track each year. This was the first year I was there so I was super excited to help out with it. I got a sub for all my classes on Friday so I could help out. I was stationed at the 100 yd dash and was so glad that I was. I really enjoyed working with the children and adults as they raced this distance. Some were fast, some were slow, and some were a bit confused I think but over all they loved it. You could see it on their faces, it was pure and sheer joy. They didn't care about their times, just the ribbons that they received. It was a special day for me and something that i want to continue to help with in the future. It was just so cool to see these parents of these children, mostly with down syndrome, and how joyful and in love with their children they were. Of course I knew that they loved their children madly but it is always different when you see it. We have a friend who had a baby with down syndrome and they made the decision as a family to adopt another child with down syndrome so that their child would not feel different. They say it was the best decision they ever made. I have a cousin with Down Syndrome, Angel, and she truly is an angel. She is so happy and joyful and gives the best hugs in the world. I think these children are little blessings to the families that they enter. I am not trying to trivialize the seriousness of raising a child with special needs but from what I have seen and read, you will never find another person on this planet that can love so fully and freely and unconditionally as a person with Down Syndrome. That truly is a gift.