For my 5 hours of service learning in SPED 310, I chose to go to Special Olympics bowling. I spent more than 5 hours from morning to early afternoon helping with whatever they needed to make the games run smoothly. This was held at fat cats and it was so much fun to see the atmosphere that is provided for people with disabilities to be able to compete and also have fun.
I was able to help keep score and also assist in helping the contestants bowl. The lane I was on consisted of people who were in wheelchairs, or needed more specific help bowling, such as ramps or carrying their ball to the ramp.
This was such a fun filled day for me as I was able to find ways to communicate with the people on my lane. two couldn't really talk, but I was able to use my limited sign language to understand what one of the girls needed. As they bowled I gave them lots of encouragement, even if they weren't doing well, I wanted to be positive. When I was keeping score I was able to go get their rewards and reward them a ribbon and their smiles made my day!
The thing that stood out to me most, and I almost cried when they stated their Olympic Athlete Oath. it goes, "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." This was so amazing to see people who in the world are sometimes ostracized or looked down on intellectually, they have to be brave in everything they do to be seen as equal. Special Olympics provides them the opportunity to be with people who will accept them, and I hope to be apart of the change in the world that accepts them no matter where they are.
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