Special Olympics Athletes -- Every One a Winner

Who would have guessed that a simple trip to Wendy's on Friday night with the family would turn into a touching event, but that's exactly what happened when we met a dynamic young woman who was there with her dad.  Although I do not know her name, she grabbed a little bit of my heart forever.

Everyone in the restaurant stopped and smiled as she "worked the crowd" saying "Hi," engaging with each of us, and then telling us all about how she was on the Special Olympics team and was going to compete in the shot-put event the following morning at LZHS. She even complimented me on my sweatshirt and then couldn't control her joy when I told her that I owned the same S.N.A.P. (Special Needs Athletic Program) t-shirt that she was wearing. Her enthusiasm and pure joy was contagious and stayed with me the following morning as I and two friends decided to go to LZHS to cheer on this amazing group of athletes. 

 Although I looked for this young woman who now holds a piece of my heart, I was unable to find her.  But I was struck time and time again by the great sense of pride and camaraderie that the athletes had for themselves, their fellow athletes and the events. 

In all, 18 teams with 375 athletes from across the area competed in many events throughout the day.  It was a refreshing change to see how the teams were not there to win, but just to compete. It was also very apparent that no matter if you were wearing a shirt from Lake Zurich, Wauconda or Barrington that you were loudly cheering for everyone.  It was a competition that lacked team alliances or losers.  We all felt like winners because of the amazing positive spirit that these young group of athletes brought us.

This week's kid is actually a group of amazing young people from Lake and McHenry counties.  They are the Special Olympic's Team members. Thank you for giving us the gift of your enthusiasms and simple joy.