Special Olympians open our eyes
In today’s “It’s All About Me” world, falling into a self-consumed lifestyle is a real danger.
We hurry through our ratrace days — swilling fitness drinks, going to yoga classes, taking sedatives — all in an effort to get through the day in a semipeaceful state of mind. Yet we still get annoyed at the most minor inconveniences. Blowing the horn crazily at a driver who fails to make a right turn on red. Snorting impatiently at the older woman in the grocery check-out line as she fumbles through her purse and chit-chats idly with the cashier. Cursing the person on the other end of the phone line, the one who is supposed to be providing technical support.
OK, so maybe that last example is understandable.
But the rest are weak reasons for a complaining rant. And there are so many more that can be added to the list.
The main underlying cause of America’s agitated discontent is its inflated image of self-importance. Humility is a lost virtue.
The only antidote is, every once in a while, people need to be knocked off their high horses. They should be driven down a peg … or two.
Usually that job falls upon their spouses. Mine does an exceptionally good job of it.
“Anthony, you’re not really going to wear those pants in public.” And I go back upstairs to change. Or… “When we go to the family reunion, here is a list of topics you are not allowed to discuss. Better yet, just don’t say anything.” And I comply.
But those instances of being knocked off my high horse pale in comparison to an experience recently on the track at Plymouth Whitemarsh High. It was the Montgomery County Special Olympics Regional Track and Field Invitational. More than 130 competitors took part in relay races, high jump, long jump, shot putt and javelin throw. More impressive was the fact that more than 200 volunteers were on hand to help with the day’s proceedings.
And the common denominator during this day of running, jumping, throwing and lunging was … smiles. Miles of smiles.
It was amazing to watch the demeanor of people who face so many challenges — mental and physical — on a daily basis. Rather than complain about the difficulties, they display a remarkable level of determination. Rather than sulk after a loss, they revel in the mere fact that they competed.
“It’s still a competitive day,” explained Vince Flocco, coordinator for the Conshohocken
AMBUCS Special Athletic Programs. “The competition has the same appeal to them as it does to any other athletes. The difference is that if these athletes don’t win a gold medal, they find satisfaction in working toward a personal best.”
Flocco should know. He has been involved with Special Olympics for 31 years. And he does it for the pure love of helping other people,
even if he doesn’t know them. He is one of the few who has no family tie to a special athlete.
Watch the competition a bit longer and it is impossible to miss Scott Otterbein. He is the County Manager of Special Olympics and a blur of constant motion at the event. He has a daughter with Down Syndrome. A former PW track and field athlete, he brings a degree of expertise and has coached since 2004.
Among other accomplishments, he started a cross country team in
Montgomery County with 20 special athletes. Now the team has 55 members.
“The entire community comes out to support these events,” explained Otterbein. “We have an entire Drexel University sorority helping us. For the first time we have support from the people at Wells Fargo Bank.”
And then there were the Super Heroes.
Characters dressed as Captain America, Spider Woman and Nick Fury wandered around the track infield … to the unbridled delight of the
participants.
“They are from a group called the Heroes Alliance,” Ottberbein said. “We didn’t go out and get them. They contacted us.”
The entertainment couldn’t have been arranged any other way. The Special Olympics of Montgomery County couldn’t have been able to pay for their appearance. There is no grant money from state or federal agencies. All their income is from fundraisers.
The next big fundraiser is a golf tournament
at North Hills Country Club on Monday, Sept. 18. Information can be found at www.specialolympicsmontco.org. It will be a great day of golf … and an even greater cause.
Suggestion: If you know someone who needs to be knocked off their high horse, take them to one of the Special Olympics events. Let them see the athletes of a different breed — the ones who don’t complain, the ones who don’t hold out for more money, the ones who revel in the slightest bit of achievement.
It is guaranteed to be a very worthwhile experience.