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Southwest Special Olympics allow athletes to grow, be part of community
Editor's Note: This story is part of a series on United Way agencies in Vernon County.
Nevada Daily Mail
There are those who believe athletes with intellectual disabilities cannot perform as well as those without intellectual disabilities. Those people have probably never watched a Special Olympics.
Approximately 125 girl and boy Vernon County athletes participate in bowling, basketball and track and field through the Southwest Special Olympics, said Vernon County head coach, Bonnie Franklin. The athletes see no cost to participate in the Olympic activities, but have to raise money themselves if they want to travel to tournaments.
"It's really cool to see all the athletes together," said Stevie Lain, southwestern Special Olympics program manager. "It's really competitive, the athletes train all year and are definitely in it to win gold."
Lain said athletes are eligible at age 8, but there is no age limit to when they have to stop.
"It's amazing to watch the athletes grow," she said. "Some start out shy, but as they get older, they become leaders and coach the younger kids."
Lain said the Special Olympics is working hard to get people to realize the word retarded is hurtful to the athletes and members of their community. The "Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign hopes to bring the athletes abilities and skills to the attention of the whole world. Lain said having the Unified Partners playing with the other athletes helps show how good the athletes are and helps showcase what the athletes can do. Unified Partners are athletes who do not have intellectual disabilities, Lain said. The partners are athletes who want to be more social and play either along side or against Special Olympians.
"It's amazing to see how good these athletes are," she said. "These athletes are just as good as anyone else. One time a Bocce ball player who is really good asked me to play with him, and he beat me really badly."
Bonnie Franklin, the head coach for all three sports in Vernon County said her players have to work harder for the skills her team has because they come less naturally than to other athletes.
"One thing about being a coach is that it takes patience," Franklin said. "Normal athletes have the game in them, our kids don't. Our kids have to practice to build muscle and be able to build the skills they need.
"(In basketball,) when they do make baskets it's awesome -- especially when they make a shot you don't think will go in. The athletes get excited and smile."
The Special Olympics does more than just sports, Lain said. Its focus goes beyond competition and tries to get athletes to become more social. Their events include both social events and ways for athletes to maintain their health. Some of the activities beyond athletic events include bingo night, dances and chances to get their eyes checked.
"We are so much more than the Olympics, much more than sports," Lain said. These events help teach courage, leadership and friendship. They give the opportunities to travel and be members of the community.
Currently, the Specials Olympic World Games are taking place in Los Angeles. The local Southwest Special Olympics has four players from Springfield on a softball team in L.A., Lain said. Along with players from Cape Girardeau, St. Louis and Kansas City, defeated a team from Mexico, 16-13 July 29. They lost on July 30 to a Canadian team, 15-13.
"Usually in sports, the team that loses is upset, but with our athletes, usually every one hugs and gives high fives whether they win or lose a competition," Lain said. "It's cool to see them celebrate each others victories."
Southwest Special Olympic schedule:
* Softball Tournament- Aug. 8 in Springfield.
* Golf Tournament- Aug. 31 in Carthage.
* Bowling Tournament- Oct. 15 and 16 in Joplin.
* Bowling Tournament- Oct. 17 in Springfield.
* Next state competition is the State Outdoor Games in Jefferson City Sept. 25-27.