Special Olympics
The Special Olympics
According to the organization Learning to Give, more than 7.5 million Americans are currently suffering from an intellectual disability. Many do not realize how many are affected or even what an intellectual disability is. WebMD says that these disabilities are characterized by below-average intelligence or mental abilities. People with intellectual disabilities can learn and do new things, but they learn them much more slowly. People with these disabilities tend to be ignored, neglected and excluded from schools and society because many people do not realize the capability of those affected (The Special Olympics). Those affected are often underestimated; however, according to WebMD, a child with disabilities can improve by being involved in group activities. Over 200 causes of intellectual disabilities have now been identified, but it is important that those affected can experience activities like everyone around them (Meyer).
This unfair treatment to people with intellectual disabilities was first noticed in the 1950’s by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She began an outreach to help those with intellectual disabilities and hosted a summer camp for young people in her own backyard. By hosting this camp she desired to see what activities these children with disabilities were capable of. Thirty-five boys and girls attended this camp, and it was her first step in a world-wide movement for children with disabilities. Shriver worked behind President John F. Kennedy’s White House panel for people with intellectual disabilities. Through this panel, she was able to found the Special Olympics in 1968 (The Special Olympics).
The Special Olympics was designed to have the highest quality of Olympic-like sports available for those with special needs. This organization allows participation in these games to be available for children and adults alike. The first International Special Olympic Summer Games were held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. At this
According to the organization Learning to Give, more than 7.5 million Americans are currently suffering from an intellectual disability. Many do not realize how many are affected or even what an intellectual disability is. WebMD says that these disabilities are characterized by below-average intelligence or mental abilities. People with intellectual disabilities can learn and do new things, but they learn them much more slowly. People with these disabilities tend to be ignored, neglected and excluded from schools and society because many people do not realize the capability of those affected (The Special Olympics). Those affected are often underestimated; however, according to WebMD, a child with disabilities can improve by being involved in group activities. Over 200 causes of intellectual disabilities have now been identified, but it is important that those affected can experience activities like everyone around them (Meyer).
This unfair treatment to people with intellectual disabilities was first noticed in the 1950’s by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She began an outreach to help those with intellectual disabilities and hosted a summer camp for young people in her own backyard. By hosting this camp she desired to see what activities these children with disabilities were capable of. Thirty-five boys and girls attended this camp, and it was her first step in a world-wide movement for children with disabilities. Shriver worked behind President John F. Kennedy’s White House panel for people with intellectual disabilities. Through this panel, she was able to found the Special Olympics in 1968 (The Special Olympics).
The Special Olympics was designed to have the highest quality of Olympic-like sports available for those with special needs. This organization allows participation in these games to be available for children and adults alike. The first International Special Olympic Summer Games were held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. At this