Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Special Olympic athletes continue to achieve what many would view as the impossible and remain an example for both the disabled population and those who are not.

At the opening ceremony of the 26th annual National Summer Games held at the University of Technology on Friday, the Special Olympians through music and varying talent pieces exhibited boundless courage, and determination.

Chairman of Special Olympics Jamaica, Dr Carlton Davis, said Special Olympics meant a lot to many people including the volunteers, coaches, families and children.

"Sports is a medium of intervention," Davies said. "We shall continue the struggle and double the efforts to ensure Special Olympics remains strong and viable," he said.

Unrelenting support

Special guest, Daniel Leake, Shenandoah Region Director, Special Olympics, Virginia, thanked all the volunteers and athletes for their unrelenting support and appreciation for the Games.

"Make a goal and that is to make one new friend while you are here but most importantly have fun and enjoy," Leake said.

Individuals and organisations were rewarded for their contributions to Special Olympics Jamaica over the past year. Among the awardees was Special Olympic bronze and silver medallist Monique Brown who was voted athlete of the year.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Andrew Gallimore represented Minister of Education Andrew Holness, who was unavoidably absent. Reading from a speech prepared for the education minister, Gallimore urged Special Olympics Jamaica to develop a closer relationship within the school system in order to achieve a mutual objective.

"Anecdotal evidence suggests that Special Olympic athlete programmes improve the social and adaptive behaviour, communication and cognitive development of children with intellectual disabilities," Gallimore said.

He added that the Ministry of Education was aware that the development of special education in Jamaica was dependent on the ability of individuals and organisations to implement systems to assist students with special needs.

He continued: "To this end, the Ministry of Education is aggressively pursuing initiatives to address these issues including the development of a Special Education Policy, the strengthening of HIV/AIDS programmes in schools and the expansion of training for special education teachers."

Great support

More than 1,152 athletes from the islands 14 parishes participated in the two-day event in various disciplines including track and field, badminton, bocce, and roller-skating.

Executive director of Special Olympics Jamaica, Lorna Bell, thanked everyone for their support and encouraged further support for the organisation's efforts.

"We ask too much sometimes but we need your help for these special athletes," Bell said.

List of Awards