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“Making a Difference Through the Special Olympics” Transcript
In Seattle, nine young athletes gathered at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all
started off, not exactly in a dash, but with a desire to run the race to the finish and win. All except one
little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other
runners heard the boy cry. They stopped; they looked back. Then they all went back to the boy’s side—
every single one of them. One girl with Down syndrome kissed him and said, “This will make it better.”
Then all nine linked arms and walked to the finish line—together.
These athletes were not competing on national television. They were not sponsored or idolized. But
they were given the opportunity to flourish under the glow of their own spotlight, to feel the brush of
the ribbon cross their chests as they ran through their own finish line in their own Olympics—the Special
Olympics.
Now you know the need for Special Olympics volunteers. So the question is: What can you do to help?
The answer is: Become a volunteer. The most obvious way to become a volunteer is to become a coach.
Now, you don’t have to be a great athlete. You don’t have to have any prior coaching experience.
Special Olympics offers a general course on the principles of coaching, in addition to a mentoring
program in which the new coaches receive guidance from the experienced coaches.
recreation through Special Olympics develop larger networks of friends, are more likely to socialize with
others, and receive more social support.
But it’s not just the athletes who benefit from Special Olympics. In my case, working with Special
Olympics is one of the most gratifying things I have ever done in my life. Not only do I have the
satisfaction that comes from helping others improve the quality of their lives, but I’ve met so many
amazing people and met so many great friends that, really, I would not trade the experience for
anything.
