|
Help Inspire Greatness as Special Olympics Volunteer
By Robert "Beau" Doherty
March is Mental Retardation Awareness Month. Unaware to most, there are approximately 170 million people with Mental Retardation worldwide, and more than 7 million in the United States, many in our own community.
Through Special Olympics, we serve more than 1 million athletes with mental retardation in more than 150 countries, providing year-round sports training and competition in 26 Olympics-type summer and winter sports. Yet to reach the millions who could benefit from this program, we need the help of many more volunteers and contributors.
We see the abilities not the limitations of people with mental retardation. We've witnessed the true Olympics courage, spirit and joy of our athletes.
By participating in Special Olympics people with mental retardation have gained self-confidence, self-esteem and social skills to succeed both on and off the playing field. Our athletes are performing as coaches, referees, reporters, photographers, board members and spokespersons. Across the world, stigmas are being shattered, people with mental retardation are successfully relocating from institutions into communities, and individuals once thought burdens to society are proving themselves productive citizens.
During Mental Retardation Awareness Month, if you'd like to inspire greatness and support a movement that celebrates differences and embraces acceptance and understanding, call Special Olympics Connecticut at 800-443-6105, or visit <www.soct.org> and volunteer today.
Robert "Beau" Doherty is President of Special Olympics Connecticut.
| 
