Special Olympics
by Steve West on November 12, 2009
Today, Brenda and I had our annual meeting for Olivia's Individual Education Plan (IEP). The whole team meets which is comprised by at least 6 various educators and the parents. Some teachers just pop in for just a few minutes. The entire process takes a little over two hours and all of her assessments, present levels, and future goals are discussed. It gets intense sometimes and this was the first one where Brenda didn't burst into tears.
One subject came up that took me by surprise a little. Her physical therapist asked if we would consider allowing him to enter Olivia into the Special Olympics. She apparently is old enough to participate. He told us in which events he would like her to participate and then asked if we would give permission. He said some parents have already told him that they weren't ready to go down that path.
I've been a volunteer several times at the Special Olympics as a hugger. I know the population that historically participates. Of the hundreds of kids I've seen there and interacted with, 90% of them have Down's Syndrome or other mental conditions that make them very overtly intellectually disabled. Olivia has autism and has no mental retardation. However, these children are considered by her teachers as her peers because of the modified education she receives. She needs accommodations such as a lot of individual assistance to keep her on task and shorter vocabulary lists and she can type her tests instead of writing. Other accommodations include speech therapy, occupational therapy, a modified curriculum, physical therapy, special diets, a 1:1 personal aide, and other electronic assistance devices.
The point being that I've always known and acknowledged that Olivia was disabled but had never viewed other children, disabled as well, as her peers. There's a certain stigma attached to intellectual disability that parents in my position don't want attached to their child. My primary concern was if Olivia would get anything from the experience. Ultimately, we decided to let Olivia determine if she would get anything from it. She is still mainly non-verbal and the only way to tell if she enjoys any experience is through direct observation. Brenda and I have always tried to give her new experiences and taken her to different places even if we thought she might not enjoy it. Sailing, roller coasters, the stinky zoo, crowded restaurants, baseball games, fireworks. All of these events are a tremendous burden on a child with sensory issues. She gets overwhelmed by too much stimuli to any of her senses but especially noise.
So, we're participating in the Special Olympics for the first time. The softball throw, the broad jump, and the 30 meter walk (or in Olivia's case, the 30 meter stroll). We're going, we're hugging her at the finish line, and we're going to tell her how proud we are. And when I put a medal around her neck, I hope she smiles.
Four Replies to Special Olympics
Steve Dunn | November 12, 2009
Bravo and best regards.
Aaron Shurtleff | November 12, 2009
That sounds exciting and daunting all at once! Good luck and good times are wished for all involved!! :)
Amy Austin | November 12, 2009
Steve West... professional hugger and dad extraordinaire -- no surprises there! Here's to hoping for Olivia's most enjoyable sensory challenge yet... and a sweet medal, too!
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