Why I'm Going Head First for Special Olympics

Here I go, again....

I hate blogs. I always read them, and then I just get all steamed up, and then just shout....well, not quite. I just think they are an easy way for people to vent about the world's problems, about why they loathe a politician, to what they really think about the new healthcare initiatives without ever having to show their face, and for that reason alone, I cannot stand them. 

But, my first semester as as Communications-Writing and PR student, I was forced to write a blog. True, we were given the topic, but it allowed me to see the other side of why these posts are important to the person behind the keyboard. Who cares who reads them? Although, it would be nice to have an audience. But, they are so important because they are the writers thoughts- often times completely uncensored, and it is almost therapeutic in a way to type up the events of the day, or our latest rants. So instead of bothering my shrink with mundane details of my daily life, heck! Why not do it on here, far out in the world of cyberspace? 

Polar Bear Plunge will take place at Sandy Point State Park on Jan. 28, 2014

In just about 2 weeks I, along with thousands of others absolutely insane people (including the governor- and who said this wasn't a blog about politics?) will dive into the frigid waters of the Chesapeake Bay to raise money for the MD chapter of the Special Olympics. My love for this organization is two fold. First, and a much more vain reason, is I have an absolute fascination with the Kennedy's. If it wasn't for Eunice Shriver and her hard work and dedication we may never have Special Olympics for the Intellectually Challenged and physically disabled members of our society. Through her work, dedicated to her sister Rose, who had a lobotomy as a teenager and never recovered, Eunice founded a charitable organization that continues to reach thousands. Though she has since passed in August of 2009, her son, Peter, has taken over the cause, and her other son, Anthony Shriver, has since founded Best Buddies, a Big Brother/Big Sister like organization that serves those who are physically or mentally handicapped. 

My second reason for supporting the Special Olympics comes from six+ months working at a job I despised. I hated the paper work, the delegating of money, the uncertainty of bosses, no job security, and the constant on-call rotation that never seemed to end. But, what made it worth it, was to walk in to a place of work each day, where we served individuals over the age of 21 who had physical and developmental challenges. The department I ran, one in which these extraordinary people were sufficient enough to live on their own, even included children under the age of 21 who were still allowed to attend school. Through the hardships they faced, the setbacks we as a governmental agency had to deal with, to the multitude of problems that came with the job everyday, nothing was more rewarding than being greeted by the Hispanic girl in the wheelchair, getting a hug from the coffee-addicted young man who never forgot my name, to the commotion of parties to celebrate birthdays, holidays, or a special success of one of our clients, to the look on the faces of clients when they participated in the annual Christmas parade- having decked out a float all by themselves. 

Yes, my job was difficult. Yes, I went home crying many times, scared to death the phone may ring. But with each setback and each hardship, I also received a blessing. Just knowing the clients we served, and their families, was enough to make my heart burst. Do you know the story of how a mother tells of having a son with a mental disability and she talks about while she was pregnant, it was as if she was planning on that dream trip to Italy? But, when her child was born, she quickly realized they never made it to Italy, they only got as far as Holland? The point she was making was that even though Italy was her dream destination, normalcy and a child without challenges was her dream as a mother, she learned there was nothing wrong with Holland at all. In fact, if she stopped every so often, she could take in the scenery that absolutely took her breath away. There is something special about Holland, something Italy can never replace. It is because of what I learned working at the Caroline Center that I believe in supporting wholeheartedly the Special Olympics, an organization founded by a few of my Kennedy heroes and one that continues to bring smiles to children and adults who otherwise could not participate in regular activities. 

Now yes, I am crazy. I could write a check. I did this "plunge" a few years back with my nephew and niece. My niece was pumped, ready to go in ten times if she had to...she got up to her feet and ran back. My nephew, I lost him in the crowd that day, but he wanted to do it, again, and so I reluctantly agreed. I couldn't believe it, really, he looked so miserable afterwards. 

 Yes, it could be 10 degrees outside. Yes, I will remind him of this day and the one a few years ago when I am an elderly woman needing a favor from my eldest nephew. No, he won't live this down. And knowing my family, I won't either. But, it's like Eunice Kennedy Shriver said in the Special Olympics Winter Games of 1987, "You are the stars and the world is watching you. By your presence, you send a message to every village, every city, every nation. A message of hope. A message of victory". 


*To donate to our page for the 2014 Annual Polar Bear Plunge, with 100% of the proceeds going to Special Olympics, please click HERE
     (Yes, we are called The Wintry Wimps. You spend a year in MA during the winter and let me know how that works for you!)
*If you would like to donate to the Caroline Center, Inc., please click HERE