Team Bethesda - As Good as Gold at the Special Olympics

There's something about sporting events that brings out the best in us. The thrill of competition enables us to give our maximum effort...it's an effort that can make us proud no matter what happens on the field of play.

This summer, and all throughout the year, that same effort and pride could be found throughout Bethesda's regions of service in various state and local Special Olympics competitions.

Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to empowering individuals with developmental 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 26 Olympic-type summer and winter sports.

Special Olympics currently serves more than one million people with intellectual disabilities through over 200 programs in more than 150 countries.

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 spiritually and, through their activities, exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover new abilities and talents as well.

These benefits were never more evident then in the various state and local Special Olympics competitions that individuals from Bethesda programs throughout the country participated in this summer. (See table below.)

In fact, Steven Lambert's participation in the Maryland Special Olympics was a wonderful success story.

"Last year, due to a few behavioral issues, Steven was unable to attend the Special Olympics Sports Camp," states Laura O'Brien, supported living supervisor for Bethesda's Maryland programs. "It was one of his goals last year and he was very disappointed when he discovered he could not attend.

Team Bethesda

Florida Athletes
Patrick Arft	Tennis	Silver
Jeff Decker	Equestrian	Silver, Bronze
Andrea DeVore	Equestrian
Todd Moothart	Tennis
Robert Sellet	Tennis	Bronze
David Snapp	Track & Field	Gold
Kansas Athletes
Adam Cates	Track & Field	Silver, 5th Place
	Basketball Skills	6th Place Honors
Carol Dugan	Swimming	Silver, 4th, 5th Place
Brent Fisher	Basketball Skills	Silver
Louella Gamblin	Swimming
Larry Hansard	Track & Field	5th, 6th Place
	Basketball Skills	5th Place Honors
Jessica Seager	Swimming	2 Silvers, Bronze
Maryland Athletes
David Banks	Duckpin Bowling	Bronze
	10-pin Bowling
Steven Lambert	10-pin Bowling
	Duckpin Bolwing
Ricky Monday	Duckpin Bowling
	10-pin Bowling
	Softball Skills
David Smith	10-pin Bowling
	Softball Skills	Gold
	Golf
Wisconsin Athletes
Kevin Baer	Softball Throw	Silver
	25 M Wheelchair Race	Gold
Mary Ann Bankert	Softball Throw	Gold
Edward Daunoras	Softball Throw	Gold
	25 M Wheelchair Race	Silver
Judy Ibach	25 M Wheelchair Race	4th Place
Mark Iverson	Softball Throw	Bronze
Allen Polster	Softball Throw	7th Place
Lisa Schaumann	Softball Throw	Silver
	25 M Wheelchair Race	Bronze
William Sigler	Softball Throw	Gold
	50 M Dash	Gold
Joseph Wielgus	Softball Throw	4th Place
	25 M Walk	Gold

"He kept competing in Special Olympics as a goal for himself this year, and with perseverance and dedication on his part, he was able to overcome the behavioral issues and gain entrance into Special Olympics activities this year. He has wanted to achieve this for many years, and I'm so proud of him and his accomplishment. Steven not only obtained his goal, but overcame a challenge that could have prevented him from reaching that goal."

The state competitions are simply the culmination of many weeks of hard work and serve as the perfect way for these athletes to receive the recognition they deserve. But, even though winning medals is a goal and the pinnacle of the Special Olympics competition, the most important aspect of the program is simply the opportunity to participate.

In most states, there are different seasons for different sports - with each sport having their own competitions, which culminates with a state competition.

In Maryland, Special Olympics hold a sign-up registration each year where individuals with disabilities sign up for the sports in which they wish to participate. Athletes also have the option of waiting to fill out the brochure and simply attending the first practice.

On the Watertown, Wis., Campus, an individual can become involved in a Special Olympic sport by showing an interest in the sport, or by being encouraged by staff members who see they have the ability to participate in a certain skill or sport.

Lori Wallander, Day Program Instructor at the Watertown Campus and co-manager of the Special Olympics program at Bethesda, reports that practice begins for the athletes in each particular sport about 10-12 weeks prior to the first competition. The practice sessions themselves occur anywhere from one-to-two times per week, with each practice session lasting approximately 45 minutes.

"The practice sessions are extremely important," states Wallander. "From these you see gradual improvement…and not necessarily in the events themselves, but it could be simply the elements of the event, like staying in a straight line or dribbling a ball. But, these successes, no matter how small they may be, help the individuals gain confidence and enable them to improve in their events over time, to the point where they are performing well in the various competitions."

Wallander, who has been a part of Bethesda's Special Olympics program for 15 years, has noticed changes for the better regarding participation by individuals on Bethesda's Watertown Campus.

"Today, more individuals are involved in Special Olympics, and even better, it's a wide range of individuals, including those with varying levels of ability," says Wallander. "For those in wheelchairs, a ramp is now used to enable them to participate in the bowling competition. It's all about finding different opportunities for those who wish to participate."

Wallander also noted that individuals are now competing in a variety of events, and went on to say that the benefits of the Special Olympics program for individuals at Bethesda are many.

"Not only is it the pride they take in their participating and their accomplishments, but it is the building of confidence and skills that really makes this program special," states Wallander. "In addition, the program enables individuals to interact with other athletes, and gives them a sense of team pride when they cheer on their fellow athletes.

"Finally, the skills they learn from practicing and getting better in the sport or activity they choose can lead to improvement in other areas of their life. It's amazing to see the skills they learn in their sport evolve into something bigger; something that can be used to help them become more independent in their life outside of Special Olympics.

"Most of all, it's the smile on their faces that measures the true meaning of the Special Olympics program."

Christy Hoffman, Frederick, Md., group home lead, echoes those comments.

"Special Olympics helps individuals with disabilities by enabling them to participate in competitive sports, which brings out so many great qualities, such as focus, determination, increased self-esteem, independence, and sportsmanship," says Hoffman.

Of course, none of these successes could be accomplished without the help of a large group of volunteers who take time to support, coach, encourage and simply be there for the individual athletes as they rise to the occasion of competition.

"The staff members and volunteers who assist the athletes do so as a result of a love for the individual(s) and the joy they have in seeing them succeed," says Wallander. "They truly go above and beyond in their work for Bethesda and the individuals we serve."

Rebekah Lovell, day program assistant at Bethesda's Watertown Campus, agrees wholeheartedly with Wallander.

"Watching the individuals compete and be successful in their events after practicing with them for so long makes me feel like I'm making a difference in their lives," says Lovell. "When you see how much they love to participate, knowing that you were able to help them get there, it truly makes it all worthwhile. It's hard to imagine not being a part of the Special Olympics program at Bethesda. The experience has been unbelievable."

All-in-all, anyone who is a part of the Special Olympics program at Bethesda is touched by the benefits that it imparts. Whether you are the athlete, coach, volunteer, or simply a spectator, you can't help being touched by the determination, perseverance and pride the Special Olympics program brings out in everyone.

In this case, the Special Olympics athlete oath "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt" really holds true.