Though the opening ceremony for the 51st annual Special Olympics spring video games was cancelled Thursday as a consequence of inclement climate, the present will nonetheless go on.
Starting Monday, almost 5,000 Special Olympics athletes will compete in additional than 25 monitor and subject occasions.
The video games start greater than a month after Education Secretary Betsy Devos proposed an $18 million minimize to Special Olympics. Devos’s proposal sparked widespread backlash from advocates, lawmakers and celebrities. As a end result, President Donald Trump mentioned he wouldn’t minimize Special Olympics from the federal finances.
Special Olympics is an inclusive atmosphere that helps athletes of all ages be taught helpful life expertise and foster lifelong relationships. Four athletes shared with the Sun-Times why Special Olympics is vital to them and the way it’s remodeled their lives:
Susie Cruz
Special Olympics has been a “magical” expertise for Gloria Cruz’s household.
Gloria has two youngsters who take part in Special Olympics. Her daughter, Susie, has a speech and studying incapacity, and her son, Danny, has Down syndrome.
“As a parent, it’s like one door opens when they do Special Olympics,” Gloria mentioned. “They have an opportunity to do a lot of stuff they wouldn’t have been able to before, and that makes me so happy. We’re very blessed that this organization exists.”
Susie’s favourite Special Olympics reminiscence from over the past two years is profitable gold medals in swimming, basketball, volleyball and monitor and subject.
“When the audience cheers for me, I feel like I did it,” mentioned Susie, who will flip 12 this month. “It makes me really happy and proud.”
Susie’s gold medals at the moment are on show in her bed room. When visitors come, Susie proudly exhibits them her rising assortment.
Gloria has seen firsthand a change in her daughter’s demeanor since she’s joined Special Olympics.
“Susie is more confident in herself because of Special Olympics and to me, it means a lot,” Gloria mentioned. “This access has allowed her to become more confident in herself and to be more social.”
Susie additionally mentioned Special Olympics makes her really feel extra confident.
“Special Olympics makes me feel more like me,” she mentioned. “Special Olympics helps me make new friends. I also like that it let’s me try out new sports.”
Danny Brouder
Danny Brouder was born with out the left facet of his coronary heart, a situation referred to as hypoplastic left coronary heart syndrome. As a end result, he’s had three open coronary heart surgical procedures. Danny additionally has Kabuki syndrome, which has affected his bodily improvement and brought on him to have some cognitive disabilities.
Despite the adversity, Danny finds a purpose to smile every single day, and he’s fast with a knock-knock joke.
Danny Brouder mentioned he’s most trying ahead to profitable a medal on the 2019 Special Olympics spring video games. | Provided
Danny is energetic like most 10-year-olds. His mom, Molly, described him as humorous and assured, and mentioned he enjoys cheering on his pals at Special Olympics.
“I know the alphabet, too,” Danny interjected proudly.
For the final three years, Danny, who goes to high school in Mt. Greenwood, has performed a number of sports activities by means of Special Olympics, together with softball, volleyball and flag soccer. His favourite sport, although, is soccer as a result of he likes to kick the ball as exhausting as he can.
Danny will likely be competing on the spring video games subsequent week. He’s most trying ahead to the medals, after all.
“He knows people are watching and going to be cheering him on,” Molly mentioned. “So he tries to do his best. And he also knows the difference between getting medal and a ribbon.”
Special Olympics is extraordinarily vital to the Brouder household as a result of it provides Danny alternatives he wouldn’t have had.
“We have two older kids that play sports through school, and so it’s special that Danny can do that, too,” Molly mentioned. “Special Olympics is nice as a result of it permits him to be happy with himself … It additionally does…