by Heather Webb

Created on: June 11, 2009

My dad always volunteered to help out with the Special Olympics. Whenever I finally got old enough to go with him, I have to admit I was hesitant. I was not overly excited about going to stay a weekend with a group of people I had never met, many with disabilities I knew nothing about. Then, Dad put it all in perspective.

He said, You and I get to be normal everyday. Everywhere we go, we are the normal ones and they are different. At least for this one weekend a year, they get to be the normal ones and we have to be different.

So I went. I figured I would just follow other coaches around, helping keep track of the kids, but almost immediately the leader from our group gave me four kids and a piece of paper with times of events. Off we went.

These kids were looked down upon all year long. Reading disorders, ADHD, behavioral problems - everyone focused on their differences. Sure, school was not the same for them as everyone else, but they wanted the same thing all kids want: attention and recognition for a job well done.

I took the kids to each of their events, encouraged the kids not participating in anything at the time to cheer on their peers, and snapped a picture with each kid and their medals. Everyone got the spot light and no one acted up. Successful day.

While waiting for one of my kids to finish up at his event, a little girl from a different school really got to me. The girl, probably around seven years old, had won her event. She was led to the podium and directed to the top step. The college students volunteering for event were announcing on the microphone each kid and their ranking. When her name was said and the medal was placed around her neck, she teared up, fanning her face and jumping up and down. It was as if she had won Ms. America. She did not care that only one other person had competed against her. She did not care everyone got a medal. She only cared that for that one minute, she was the winner.

These kids get left out every other day. For some reason or another, they are told they are not good enough. For this one weekend a year, they get to be around others they can relate to and be the normal ones.

Believe what you want about the Special Olympics, this event provides extraordinary people the opportunity to be acknowledged for their own talents. Everyone gets a chance. Everyone wins. Everyone gets to be normal.

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