Weekly Program - Special Olympics
How much do you know about intellectual disabilities? Special Olympics champion and ambassador Matthew Williams is proof that athletic competition and the camaraderie it fosters can transform lives, both on and off the field. Together with his fellow athletes, he invites you to join him at the next meet — and challenges you to walk away with your heart unchanged. Matthew Williams believes that sport has the power to change lives.
Why you should listen
Prior to finding Special Olympics, Matthew Williams struggled to fit in and keep up with his peers. When he joined Special Olympics in eighth grade, it had a profound impact on his life, helping him make friends, providing him with self-confidence and giving him an opportunity to participate in sports. Williams has achieved a great deal in his decade with Special Olympics. He competed in the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in basketball, where the first-ever Canadian basketball team to participate in a World Games finished fourth. He has also participated in track and field, swimming, floor hockey and curling.
Williams is a Special Olympics International Sargent Shriver Global Messenger and a member of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors, where he shares athlete perspectives with leaders of this global movement. His goal is to spread the message and vision of Special Olympics far and wide.
Rotarians have a history of supporting Special Olympics in their own communities. This may be service such as referees for practice games, interaction with warming up the athletes with practice or perhaps coaching teams, providing lunches or transportation. At the Opening Ceremonies in July, 2015 at the LA Colisium Rotary District 5280 had 1,000 seats reserved for Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, friends and family to enjoy the games. Springfield Rotary Club (Flourtown, PA) held a St. Patrick’s Day Dance and sponsored Special Olympics athletes. They felt the event was a success, enjoyed by over 135 athletes and family members. In the USA state of Washington, an event was just cancelled due to poor snow conditions which would have been the 15th year of Bellevue Rotary and Rotaract providing volunteers for the King County Special Olympics Regional Ski Competition. In their event, hundreds of disabled athletes compete in downhill and snowboarding events, with Bellevue Rotarians and Rotaracters keeping track of the athletes’ performance times. Their report reads, "The talent and enthusiasm displayed by the athletes is wonderful to watch, and the award presentation is incredibly moving. It’s always a fun day for skiers and non-skiers and a great opportunity to enjoy these special athletes and volunteering with the Rotaracters." These are just a few examples of Rotarians engages with special needs youth and adults - giving the gifts of our time, talent and money. Actually, we benefit as we receive their gifts of smiles and laughter!!!