Saturday, April 20, 2024
Giving special needs people regardless of their age an opportunity to participate in team and individual activities, build lasting friendships and boost their confidence are all ways Team Gatesville's Special Olympics program is making a positive impact on lives.
Heidi Clough, head of delegation for Team Gatesville, gave an update on the organization at a June 22 meeting of the Gatesville Lions Club, and received a $400 donation from the club to help with expenses.
Special Olympics Texas is part of the international Special Olympics organization, and Clough said there are more Texan Special Olympians than there are in several countries, including France, Great Britain, Brazil and Japan.
Special Olympics is a year-round program for both children and adults who have been identified as having intellectual or developmental disabilities.
"Our hope is for them to thrive, and we want to do all we can to help them and their families," Clough said. "We want them to be able to participate."
She said about 6.5 million people in the United States, or 1-3% of the population, have intellectual disabilities.
"It is much more common in lower income people," she said. "They need services and they need opportunities, and we hope to provide that."
Program participants range in age from 2 to people in their 80s, but there is no upper age limit as long as people are able to remain active. Those age 8 and older can compete in area, regional and state events. There are four regions in Texas and 19 areas.
Clough said there are about 1,045 Special Olympics athletes in Team Gatesville's area, and 58,884 Special Olympics athletes statewide. More Texans take part in Special Olympics than residents of any other state, she said.
There are a variety of programs offered which focus on both individual skills and team sports.
"We want to get (participants) around their peers, and we want them to excel," Clough said. "We want them to be active and part of a team. There are programs for everybody to get involved. We take a sport and modify it so that everyone can participate.
"Another thing we do is promote healthy lifestyles and eating habits."
Local donations play a big part in the success of the program, she said.
"Whatever our community donates stays 100% local," Clough said. "There is no cost to anything the athletes participate in except for family travel expenses at the state level, and we help cover those expenses."
Being a part of Special Olympics has a positive impact on participants, she said.
"Those involved perform better in school and are happier at home, they are able to make friends and it has a positive effect on their health and self-esteem," Clough said. "It helps them realize they can achieve goals and they are in an environment of acceptance and support.
"The social component for the athletes and families is as important as the sport, and they make friends. One of the athletes cried (joyfully) because she had friends from Special Olympics. The travel opportunities also give them valuable life experiences for sure. For some, it's their first time to stay in a hotel.
"We also work to get families more involved. We have monthly meetings and it's an opportunity for families to interact, make suggestions and participate."
There are also volunteer opportunities for people who may want to coach, be a sports official or chaperone, and also for assistance the day of an event during the competition.
Special Olympics traces its origins to the 1960s, when "Eunice Kennedy Shriver saw how unjustly and unfairly people with intellectual disabilities were treated," according to the Special Olympics website. "She also saw that many children with intellectual disabilities didn’t even have a place to play. She decided to take action.
“She began a summer camp for those with intellectual disabilities in 1962 which eventually led to other activities. The first Special Olympics International Summer Games was held in Chicago in July 1968,” according to the website.
"Our athletes are inspiring to many," Clough said. "We see their hearts, we see their perseverance and all the challenges they go through every day, and they do their very best.
"I am very thankful to the community of Gatesville which is so good to us. We accept not only participants from Gatesville, but those from surrounding areas as well."
For more information on Team Gatesville's Special Olympics program, visit the Team Gatesville Facebook page or email teamgatesville12@yahoo.com.
