Spread the Word to End the Word

Today I took a trip far outside my comfort zone.  I went to the Elmwood Murdock Elementary school with Ben, and we did 3 different Spread the Word to End the Word Presentations to the K-6 Students at the school.  I have not spoken in front of any group for about 20 plus years, so it was a little bit intimidating at first, but I had John's 4-H Powerpoint that I changed up a bit, to help guide what I was going to say. 

First we introduced the kids to someone with an intellectual disability (Ben), told a bit about the Special Olympics, and them asked them to take the pledge.  

The kids were great, and Ben was a ham working the crowd giving fist bumps and high fives. 

  In the pledge I challenged the kids to do two things.  1. Don't use the word retard(ed) to refer to anyone or anything, and 2) to tell others not to use it either.  When I asked if there was anyone in the room that would like to sign the pledge banner the hands went up very quickly. 

The kids did a good job of paying attention, and asked some great questions. 

We ended up with a banner that was pretty full of signatures. 

The offical day for the Spread the Word to End the word campaign is tomorrow, but Ben has therapy so it worked out better for us to go to school today.  I would like to thank Mr. Frederich and all the teachers for letting us come and making us feel so welcome.  I would also like to thank Monica from Monkey Musings for doing a presentation like this last year an blogging about it.  You gave me the inspiration, and courage and permission to use your idea and I am thankful that you did.  It was way eaiser than I thought it would be. Now I would like to challenge other blogging parents to think about doing a presentation at your school. 

 If you would like to pleade to Spread the Word to End the Word on-line please click here.

2010 USA Special Olympics Update

Driving down town in Lincoln to drop my boys off at their summer camp was all it took for my excitement to come back.  After seeing all the teams on Monday morning, walking on the UNL campus to their events, and driving by the Special Olympics town, I could not wait to experience more. 

On Tuesday Ben and I had some time before we could pick up the big boys, and the Basketball venue was on the way, so we stopped.  The game we saw was Men's Basketball.  Texas vs. Indiana.  I was surprised at how physical the game was.  We did not get to see the whole game, and I can not really remember who was even ahead, since we were cheering for both sides.  Every time a basket was made Ben would cheer and clap.  He was flirting with everyone.  I have never seen him quite so outgoing, practically lunging out of my arms to go to complete strangers.  It was as if he know he was in a place where he would be loved and accepted by everyone.  In the short half hour we were there I had10-15  people come up and talk to me about Ben.  We go out in public daily, and while I might get a comment every now and then, it was nothing like this.   People would walk by and say "There is a future gold medalist".  Others, I could tell, were Mom's of athletes, who were remembering back to the days when their child was a toddler.  But soon it was time to go.

After I got the boys, I had planned to take them to Bocce, but they really wanted to go to Special Olympics town.   Ben was in the stroller since it was a few blocks walk from the parking garage.  There were 3 blocks fenced off around Pershing Auditorium with lots of different tents outside.  Some had vendors, free crafts, karaoke, a sand sculptor, souvenirs and a misting station too.  The boys enjoyed getting misted.  It was fun to watch everyone.  I bought a T-shirt, John got a hat and Noah got sun glasses.  The boys made pinwheels for Ben.   We watched a few groups of athletes perform choreographed routines to music with flags. 

The Sand Sculpture

Funky looking blow up by the craft tent

Athlete performances

Then we went inside the auditorium.   That is where they had the Sports Experience.  They had 11 Wii games set up, pool tables, ping pong tables, a volley ball net, basket ball hoops, and a putting green. 
They boys had a blast and did not want to leave.  Poor little Ben however, was not as impressed he bolted when I tried to let him out, so I had to fight him back in the stroller.  It was just not safe for him to run around in there with so many sports and bigger people playing them.  But finally I was able to talk the big boys into going home.

Wednesday after work, the boys have Piano lessons and Ben had therapy, and by the time they were done, there were no events left to go see.  Thursday after work we planned to go again, but could not find anything still going on at 4:00 in the afternoon. 

The Special Olympic Torch

Friday night was the closing ceremony.  I called the radio station about 30 times and finally got thru to get tickets.  The closing ceremony was good, but very loud.  There were 3 or 4 singers, that I had never heard of that performed.  They were OK but not my type of music.  An hour and a half into the program, Noah was really not enjoying it.  He asked me for the 20th time if we could go home, so I looked over at Randy and both he and Ben were sitting there covering their ears, so I agreed it was time to go.  John could have stayed for the whole thing if we would have let him. 

Small Change

The Color Guard

Singing the National Anthem

As we were leaving I decided to use the restroom before the long drive home.  While they were waiting, Randy and the boys struck up a conversation with a couple of swimmers from Arkansas.  The lady gave Ben her Special Olympics Arkansas hat, and was trying to convince us that swimming should be the sport we help Ben get into.   She had won 4 or 5 gold medals in swimming this week.  I did not think fast enough to grab my camera and get a picture, or to get her name.  But is sure was nice to meet her and get to know here a little bit.  Made me feel much better about leaving the closing ceremonies early. 

While I am still not sure if Ben will want to pursue any sports in the future, I do feel that after our experience this week, I will not hesitate to help him get involved in Special Olympics.  It was a positive and uplifting time for all of us. 

Speical Olympics - Mixed Feelings

The National Special Olympics start today, just 20 miles away from where we live.


When I first found out the National Special Olympics would be in Nebraska over a year ago, I was so excited. I went and signed up on line to be a volunteer right away. I wanted to help out and learn more about the Special Olympics, in case it would be something might want to get Ben involved with in the future.

Now a year later, with the opening ceremonies just hours away, I don't have that same excitement.

First, they lost my on-line volunteer registration. OK. Not a big deal, I just re-registered. I also encouraged others from the DSAF to sign up too, and even called in to have my name put down as being the contact for our group. Then I waited, and waited, and waited. Others reported getting emails, but I did not receive any. I went on-line numerous time, each time having to reset my password and followed all the steps for volunteering. Still I got nothing.  I sent an emails, left phone messages, asking for information, and got...you guessed it, Nothing!

While speaking to others about their experiences with volunteering, I got similar stories of frustration. One person was told that the on-line registration system was not very reliable. Obviously. How can they pull off an event this huge, with out a reliable on line system? I hope for the sake of the athletes, it goes smoothly.

I had also heard, from other parents that there were some hard feelings about how the athletes were chosen to participate in the games. In Nebraska, the athletes were chosen in a lottery system, and not based on performances in the state games. Supposedly one parent, who was upset that their child was not chosen, was told that the National games are about bringing celebrities in and raising money, and are not really about the athletes. Really? I doubt that Eunice Kennedy Schriver would agree with that. Now to be fair, I did not get this information first hand, and am sure it was passed along and modified somewhat along the way, but still.

It does make me wonder, as I see many of the big companies in Lincoln, proudly displaying flags announcing their support of Special Olympics, and encouraging their employees to take paid time off to volunteer. Each taking out ads in the paper to show how much they are supporting the event. Almost as if they are trying to one up each other. Who is this really about?

I don't know yet if the Special Olympics is something we will pursue in the future for Ben. So many have fought for inclusion for our children, and in a way I can see how participation in the Special Olympics might be seen as a step back from that philosophy. I know in my vision of Ben's future, I see him at least playing t-ball and maybe baseball in our small town community, with his peers. It may or may not happen, but I hope it does. Only time will tell.

So here I sit, with nothing to volunteer for. Which is OK, as it now gives me more freedom to view the games as a spectator.  I will still take my boys to the games and Special Olympics Town as long as we can find a place to park. And we will cheer for the athletes. Which after all, is what the Special Olympics should be about.