While all the world was focused on the Winter Olympics, very special athletes and their coaches were  busy right here in Charleston SC training for the 2010 Mid-Winter Games with “The Special Olympics.” The Mid -Winter Games are one of three games "The Special Olympics" hold through out the year. HobnobCharleston had an opportunity to speak with Lucy Swaffield, the program director for district 2, recently about The Special Olympics' year round training and competitions.  The Special Olympics is not a once a year activity. This organization is in full speed all year long because "The Special Olympics" is actually a  Sports Organization offering training in multiple levels of competitions (local, state, national and world). Before an Athlete comes to any of the State Games they must have trained for a min of 8 weeks, and competed on a local level (when available).There are 24 different sports statewide and children can get involved as young as 3 years old.

"The Special Olympics" partners with other agencies and non-profits such as Charleston County Parks and Rec., Charleston community Sailing, and The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry to  help make the events a reality, but there is a great opportunity for the business community to get involved as well .Community sponsors  are a great way for area businesses to support "The Special Olympics" as well as offering volunteers. There is always a need for Coaches, day of event volunteers, fund raising, and supporters simply checking in on the teams.

The Special Olympics does not only reward the athlete but everyone who chooses to be involved. One of Lucy’s favorite success stories comes from last summer’s games. “Whitney is in her 20's and has Down Syndrome. She is very involved in many different S.O. sports, including Sailing, Tennis, Basketball, and the Running Club. But for the last 2 summers she has been on the Kayak team. Every practice for 2 summers Whitney showed up, and was excited to get on the water. While she was in her kayak with her Unified Partner, she would nervously hold her paddle, hold her head down slightly and anxiously practice the skills as the Coaches taught them. If you asked if she was having fun she'd say "Yeah" in a nervous and shaky voice. 
Well, when it came time for our 2nd annual Kayak Competition, Whitney and her Partner Chris were competing in the first event of the day. I look out across the lake and saw their kayak skimming across the water. Both Athlete and Partner were in perfect rhythm, both paddling as hard as they could. Whitney was sitting up straight and as confident as I have ever seen her. She was demonstrating every skill the team had been taught over the years. Looking at them paddle, you could not tell who was the special needs Athlete and who was the Unified Partner! The kayak Coach shed a few tears of joy when she saw Whitney competing. We were very proud of her, and it was very exciting to see her confidence grow and for her to compete so well. “

Participating in  The Special Olympics touches so many lives because deep down inside of us all, we know what matters in life is more than winning, it is the journey to crossing the finish line.
Lucy explained, “In Special Olympics we want the Athletes to learn a sport or skill, but it is the other benefits that can not be overlooked. The friendships made, the confidence gained, and the social and team work skills the Athletes can take with them into the workplace or school.”

Currently there are approximately 700 athletes in the Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley counties, and 20 different sports. The next scheduled event is for the 2010 Mid-Winter Games torch Run on March 5 at Brittlebank Park, Charleston, South Carolina. This is for all local runners who want to support Special Olympics’ Athletes.

To find out more about the Special Olympics in South Carolina visit http://so-sc.org/cgi-bin/p/awtp-home.cgi?d=special-olympics-south-carolina


Lucy Swaffield, CTRS
District 2 Program Director
Office/Fax: 843-795-6226
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Websites of interest to Area 6:
Dorchester County Special Olympics
Berkeley County Unified Sports® Soccer Program
Follow Area 6 on Twitter:
SOLowcountry

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