Special Olympics - A Place Where Athletes Belong
The Heart Behind Special Olympics:
Special Olympics, an international non-profit organization, was founded in 1968 by John F. Kennedy’s sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She believed that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities were often misunderstood and overlooked in society, which made her want to give these athletes a chance to show their utmost capabilities. Today, this organization spans more than 190 countries, with over 5 million athletes participating and training every day around the world for the gold. Within this organization, more than 30 Olympic-style sports are offered, including volleyball, soccer, and long-distance running, all while focusing on inclusion, acceptance, and equality.
However, this nonprofit was not designed solely for competition. It was created by Eunice to promote leadership skills, help athletes build friendships, and challenge the stereotypes of individuals with intellectual disabilities. For this blog, I had the privilege to interview athletes and a coach from Berks County, from whom I obtained insightful information about what inspired them to participate in this organization. The event was held at DeSales University on October 5th, 2025, and had a great turnout. This is what they had to say.
What Made You So Inspired to Participate?
When asked this question, many athletes, including Melissa, Brandon, Maria, Dorothy, Benjamin, and Robert, were ecstatic to share that it was to "meet new friends and we love the volunteers that help out every year, it is enjoyable." Along with this, some advice that many athletes wanted to share with others was that it is normal to be afraid, but they were all there to "try our best and were all here to support each other."
Many mentioned that they had been participating for a very long time, although they could not recall exactly how many years they had been part of this community.
A Coach's Story - Mother to Melissa
I had the pleasure of speaking with Denise about her journey with Special Olympics and why she has dedicated so much of her time to this organization. When asked how long she has been coaching, Denise stated, "I would say about 6 years, maybe." When asked what her favorite thing about coaching was, she said, "seeing the athletes improve, enjoying the camaraderies, and making friends and interaction within the community."
It was truly beautiful to hear her speak about the dedication she puts into this organization, inspired by her daughter Melissa’s motivation to get her involved. When Denise was asked what it’s like to go through the process of coaching and training her athletes, she explained that they train about twice a week and are developing something called the "resistance training program," where the YMCA Fit Truck visits different locations and parks to train athletes further, along with running and walking trails.
Denise also said, "When athletes feel they always want to go for the gold, you have to explain to them you're looking to do your best and that's all that matters," when asked about the most challenging thing athletes experience during competitions.
Conclusion
Special Olympics is built on unity and inclusivity, helping individuals with disabilities achieve far more than they think they can. Dedicating time to an event as impactful as this truly rewards you with a sense of purpose and allows you to make new friends while volunteering for a meaningful cause.
It was such an honor to speak with the athletes and coach about their individual experiences participating in such a globally inspiring organization, one that all started with a single person who wanted to bring attention to those who deserved to be seen.
