Special Olympics

Special Olympics

Throwing a softball to teamates looks easy but the skill requires daily practice sessions for Chris Gay, who proudly wears a Special Olympics T-shirt tucked into a pair of sweatpants.
A quirk of nature caused an abnormality in Gay's 21st chromosome causing Down syndrome, the most common genetic cause of severe learning disabilities in children. Each year, more than 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome in the United States.
Gay's Dade County team of 10 made it all the way to the finals in the softball team skills division at the Special Olympic Florida State Fall Clasic in November 2007. They didn't man the bases but stood in a semi-circle in the infield tossing the ball to each other then pitching it into an oversized trash can at home plate to earn points. The event builds team skills and helps prepare players for a softball game.
Gay, 21, said his favorite part of the Special Olympics weekend at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex was packing his toothbrush, pajamas and clothes for a weekend at a Disney hotel. He also enjoyed the bus trip with 40 other Dade County athletes that qualified for the state games by winning at both the county and area levels.
"Special Olympics builds Chris' self-esteem and character," said his sister, Cynthia Gay, 26. "The social interaction with other athletes helps him transition to adulthood because being part of a team is like working with coworkers on the job."
He was one of 1,220 athletes from 43 Florida counties that competed in the annual sports event that is divided into ability, gender and age.
Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. They grow mentally, socially and enjoy the rewards of friendship with athletes from across the state.
Special Olympics is an international non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Special Olympics offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round training and competition in 30 winter and summer sports.
Athletes must be at least 8 years of age and identified as having intellectual disabilities, cognitive delays or learning problems to be eligible to participate in Special Olympics. There is a Special Olympics Young Athletes program for children with intellectual disabilities ages 2 to 7.
To find out more about Special Olympics or locate a training program in your area to to www.specialolympics.org.