Chapter 5: Conclusion

Chapter 5: Conclusion

The Special Olympics supports the athletes in doing their best and giving it their all, this also is a lesson for all the wonderful people in their lives that they do have potential, and their potential is incredible.
(http://babyboomertalkonline.com/2011/do-it-wellyour-inspirational-quote-wednesday-july-20-2011/)

         The Special Olympics have been found to be a powerful force of change for people with developmental disabilities around the world. These events have brought awareness to the struggles of these individuals, and also their potential. Society has become more informed on their circumstances and has become better able to integrate them into our society and be more welcoming. The athletes themselves are also benefited as they gain health benefits from becoming more active and living a healthy life style, as well as psychological benefits as they learn how to become engaged, focused, and can learn passion for their sports or for other areas of their lives.

            On the Special Olympics Official Website they state "Ours is an urgent mission. That’s because people with intellectual disabilities are among the most vulnerable in the world. They are often ignored, neglected and excluded from schools and society. Special Olympics may be the only place where people with intellectual disabilities get the chance to become part of their communities and develop belief in themselves." (http://www.specialolympics.org/changingattitudes.aspx)

            These people need someone to believe in them, just as everyone else does. When they have the chance to prove themselves, they can succeed. Although they face a number of biomechanical challenges, or mental challenges, and take longer time to process information, exercise is incredibly beneficial.

            In my experience, working with developmentally disabled children and youth is an experience unlike all others. Often times they have so much desire to learn, to gain new experiences and develop skills. They will see something and attempt to mimic the action. When someone can take time to be patient with them and give them the chance to learn, they take the opportunity and can succeed. With obesity levels raising in so many developmentally disabled individuals, exercise is important for them. Athletic involvement is important for these individuals as it helps them physically, mentally, socially and emotionally develop. They gain better control of their body, better mental focus, create relationships with coaches/team members/other participants, gain social skills, learn to communicate better, and to be able to express themselves and demonstrate emotions in a controlled way.

            In the end, for all Special Olympic athletes whether with Down Syndrome, Autism, Fragile X Syndrome or any other number of developmental disabilities, what it comes down to is the effort they put in. Olympic coach Bill Bowerman states 

"Victory is in having done your best. 

If you've done your best, you've won." 

 (http://www.rd.com/slideshows/13-motivational-sports-quotes-from-olympic-coaches/#ixzz34ILlTDQk)