Special Olympics Games Celebrate all Abilities

On one of the most beautiful summer mornings of the year, people greeted each other on the Randolph, Mass., campus with excitement and antici­pation. Happy parents cheered their athletes on, teachers gave hoots, hol­lers, and high fives, many of us cried joyful tears, and hearts soared.

Two years of planning between the May Center School for Autism and Developmental Disabilities and Special Olympics Massachusetts culminated into the Center’s first-ever school day games. The event united a community of the school’s more than 150 students, and nearly 120 staff and parents, in celebration of victories, each special, each meaningful.
 
The words of the Special Olympics oath captured the essence of this spirited event. Students recited or held signs that read, “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Each student challenged him/herself, went for the gold, and earned it!
 
“We use the language of movement and athleticism to help our kids commu­nicate on a different level,” says Alan Anselmi, Adapted Physical Education Instructor at the school and coordina­tor of the event. “Sports break down barriers. When you are an athlete and competing, you are all on the same playing field,” he adds. “Special Olympics uses sports to bring people together. What a fantastic opportunity for us to use this resource to accentuate the work we are doing here!”
 
Special Olympics will be held annually on the Randolph campus.



Visit our Flickr Album from the event.