If your child has been diagnosed with an intellectual disability, an excellent resource for friendship, self-improvement and confidence-building activities is your local Special Olympics chapter. Unfortunately for a lot of intellectually disabled children, their experiences, in school or with peers, are often focused on what they cannot do. Getting involved in sports through the Special Olympics can give these children a place to compete and excel. Instead of being underestimated, children in Special Olympics are encouraged and empowered by a focus on what they can accomplish.
In addition to being a wonderful experience for kids, Special Olympics are also a great resource for parents. Often parents of a disabled child can feel isolated and overwhelmed. By participating in Special Olympics, you can get to know other parents and create support systems and lifelong friendships for both you and your child.
Almost every sport is represented in Special Olympics, though some sports, like snow-related sports, are only available in certain regions. From individual sports like running or gymnastics, to team sports like soccer or basketball, there is a sport your child can enjoy. Some parents may want to enroll a young child in several different sports to find the ones that they will particularly enjoy and excel at.
One well-known Special Olympian, Loretta Clairborne, was told when she was young that she would have to live her life in an institution. She started running long-distance after finding Special Olympics and has earned numerous accolades and awards, including being inducted into the Women in Sports Hall of Fame. Disney made a film based on her life and she was named Special Athlete of the Quarter Century by “Runner’s World” magazine.
Though not all Special Olympians will become world-famous athletes, every person who participates can improve skills and build confidence in their abilities. The experiences in Special Olympics will provide you and your child with fun memories that will last a lifetime.
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