Compete So They Can

Special Olympics is about competition.  Truth be told – every single one of us is about competition.  It propels us into something greater – it forces us into new directions – and it teaches us important lessons.  When the spirit of competition is right – might I also add it’s a lot of fun for everyone.

As many of you know Special Olympics New Mexico has been working hard to replace the $310,000 we lost when our State Appropriation was eliminated.  Thanks to McKee Wallwork and Company, an exceptional advertising agency in Albuquerque – we have the way to do it. It involves challenging one another – one person at a time – one dollar at a time.  The beauty of this challenge is the act of doing it.  We are hoping that through Facebook, Twitter, and email challenges involving friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc. – we will find 310,000 people who will compete and then challenge others to do the same.

This weekend we will be launching our campaign accompanied by specific details on how you can compete so our athletes can. More details in my next Thoughts from Randy.

 

 

There’s Still Time To OneUp!

At Our Core

This past weekend at our Four Corners Invitational in Farmington, 1,126 Special Olympics athletes, coaches, and unified partners competed in unified golf, unified softball, and aquatics.  As usual, as I walked around our Games I was mindful of our Core Values and how they were showing up.  These five values guide our decisions, our conduct and behavior, and represent how we go about our work.  They aren’t simply a document we created years ago to place on the shelf.  They matter.  They define us.

The value that kept appearing in front of my face throughout the weekend was Unbelievable Fun, which is reflected by our capacity to “Enjoy the excitement, enthusiasm, spontaneity, and laughter inherent in the Special Olympics experience.”

Maybe because organizationally things have been a little more challenging as of late, or maybe it’s because all of our hearts have been breaking watching those who have fallen victim to Harvey’s wrath.  I’m not really sure what it was, but this last weekend Special Olympics New Mexico LAUGHED A LOT, and WE HAD FUN!

It was wonderful.

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Want to see more 2017 Four Corners Invitational photos? Click HERE to visit our SONM photo gallery on Flickr.

The Moment

A couple weeks ago the University of New Mexico’s men’s basketball team, led by newly hired Coach Paul Weir, hosted a clinic at the Pit for a group of our local Special Olympics athletes.  As the Special Olympics athletes took the floor, I was invited by Coach Weir to meet with his players and coaches to give them an idea of what to expect.   He wasn’t sure that any of them had ever spent any time with a Special Olympics athlete, and I wasn’t sure he had, so to his credit, Coach was thoughtful enough to ensure everyone was going to have  the best experience possible.

We met in the film room.  I talked – they listened – and then everyone took the floor.  In a matter of minutes, the game of basketball did what the game of basketball always does – it brought everyone together.  Athletes with athletes regardless of ability share a common bond when there’s a ball and a hoop.

It was a great clinic and at the end, we gave each Lobo a sharpie to sign our athletes’ Lobo t-shirts they had received that night.  A few minutes went by and Coach Weir wandered over to me with a smile on his face.  A bit surprised he said “He asked me if I wanted his autograph.”  And there it was, on his beautiful Lobo Basketball Nike polo – the signature of one of our Special Olympics athletes.

I love it that our athletes, just like the Lobos, are “stars” in their own minds.  I love it that Coach Paul Weir now has his own Special Olympics moment to remember – with a smile and an autograph that will last as long as the shirt does.

Need

Special Olympics New Mexico’s contract with the Department of Health was eliminated a couple months ago, and the absence of that $310,000 has left our organization in a sizable state of need.  Being in “need” is not a comfortable place to reside, especially when the need if not filled has the potential to impact so many people who rely on us.  I think and pray about our situation and the challenge we face – a lot.  My thoughts around what we face are evolving, and this is where they are today.

There is unforeseeable value in having to face tough times.  We don’t learn about endurance, perseverance, and true hope if we are never placed in situations that require them.

As we go through the process of reevaluating what we are now able to do and what things we no longer can, we realize the gift of what we had.  We are humbled at the thought of having taken those things for granted.

We are experiencing “connection”  with people in a different way, as well as the possibilities that come with them.  What people are doing and how they want to help is beyond what any of us could have dreamed of on our own.  New relationships and old relationships bring to the “need” a greater purpose.  It is those relationships that bring a whole new depth of gratitude for people who are on our team.

 

 

 

 

 

Kenny

Our 2017 State Summer Games last weekend were pretty wonderful, if I do say so myself.  As is the case with every State Summer Games, I leave in awe of the Special Olympics athletes that compete, as well as extremely grateful for the many volunteers who do everything within their power to make sure the athletes have a great experience.  Every once in a while, it works out that I am able to spend some time with the athletes who are there and this year , I was blessed to spend a few memorable minutes with Kenny Rodriguez.  His words have stayed with me.

Kenny has very little sight, but he doesn’t let that stand in his way of competing.  His coach calls him an “overcomer.”  What a great way to describe someone.  I was walking with Kenny to the volleyball venue on Sunday morning and casually asked him if he had competed in track the day before.  His response was “Yes I did.  It was the best day of my life.”  My immediate thought was he must have won a gold medal, but his next few words changed my thinking.  “It was the best day of my life because while I was doing my race-walk, I heard my name over the loud speaker.”

To me, hearing your name over the loud speaker is like having a race number pinned to your back.  It tells everyone you are a competitor.  It’s validating, and to Kenny – it was not only meaningful but memorable.

Moments like this for guys like Kenny inspire us to continue to do the work we do.  It’s just the best.

 

Lego Lyrics

Special Olympics New Mexico’s 2017 State Summer Games theme is “Everything Is Awesome.”  It is the title of the song that was written for The Lego Movie.  I haven’t seen the movie, but having Lego addicts in my family – for years, I have spent my fair share on Legos of all kinds and given them as gifts.

The first few stanzas of the “Everything is Awesome” Lego song fits Special Olympics and our State Summer Games perfectly.  In case you haven’t heard it …

“Everything is awesome.  Everything is cool when you’re part of a team.
Everything is awesome when you’re living our dream.
Everything is better when we stick together.
Side by side, you and I are gonna win – forever.
We’re the same.  I’m like you – you’re like me – we’re all working in harmony.”

Those words will take human form May 19th – 21st.  If you aren’t already planning to attend the Games – consider yourself personally invited.  I feel safe in saying you won’t be sorry you did.