"The pride that the athletes feel and their constant optimism and support
for each other are like nothing I have ever experienced before."
~Sara Markley
Sara Markley
1. What is your involvement with Special Olympics? What special memories do you have?
"I have volunteered for the Special Olympics since I was around 8 years old. I started by helping my mom as a medical volunteer. Often times we spent the night in order to be on call for the athletes. I continued volunteering in high school at the track and field event as a supporter and escort for the athletes. I also volunteered in college at different events, including volleyball during the winter.
I helped my mom, and her team, coordinate the medical staff for the National Special Olympics when they came to Ames. I was in charge of the aquatic event.
I now work with my colleagues to take all NMS 8th graders to the Special Olympics as volunteers.
I LOVE volunteering for the Special Olympics! The sense of fulfillment and humility that it fills me with is unmatched by any other activity that I have ever done. The pride that the athletes feel and their constant optimism and support for each other are like nothing I have ever experienced before."
2. How was the development of Special Olympics a turning point for the intellectually disabled?
"The Special Olympics gave athletes something to be a part of and an avenue to display strengths in a way that had not been available before. Persons with an intellectual disability were integrated into communities because of the support of community members."
3. How has Special Olympics impacted the lives of the intellectually disabled, their families, and society?
"I believe Special Olympics has been instrumental in bringing together diverse groups in communities across the United States. I also think the Special Olympics have created a rallying point for acceptance within society. It would be interesting to investigate if there is a correlation between the start of the Special Olympics and integration of students who are intellectually disabled into the general education setting."
"I have volunteered for the Special Olympics since I was around 8 years old. I started by helping my mom as a medical volunteer. Often times we spent the night in order to be on call for the athletes. I continued volunteering in high school at the track and field event as a supporter and escort for the athletes. I also volunteered in college at different events, including volleyball during the winter.
I helped my mom, and her team, coordinate the medical staff for the National Special Olympics when they came to Ames. I was in charge of the aquatic event.
I now work with my colleagues to take all NMS 8th graders to the Special Olympics as volunteers.
I LOVE volunteering for the Special Olympics! The sense of fulfillment and humility that it fills me with is unmatched by any other activity that I have ever done. The pride that the athletes feel and their constant optimism and support for each other are like nothing I have ever experienced before."
2. How was the development of Special Olympics a turning point for the intellectually disabled?
"The Special Olympics gave athletes something to be a part of and an avenue to display strengths in a way that had not been available before. Persons with an intellectual disability were integrated into communities because of the support of community members."
3. How has Special Olympics impacted the lives of the intellectually disabled, their families, and society?
"I believe Special Olympics has been instrumental in bringing together diverse groups in communities across the United States. I also think the Special Olympics have created a rallying point for acceptance within society. It would be interesting to investigate if there is a correlation between the start of the Special Olympics and integration of students who are intellectually disabled into the general education setting."