Introduction
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY6M2WdTxRA align:center] Have you ever seen a bunch of crazy people jumping in an ice cold lake and thought why in the world would they do that? Well those people are participating in the Polar Plunge which raises money for the Special Olympics.
Special Olympics of Wisconsin (SOWI) provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy while participating in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, Special Olympics athletes and the community. The Special Olympics began in the late 1950's and early 1960's when Eunice Kennedy Shriver noticed how people with intellectual disabilities were treated. Eunice decided to start a Summer Day camp in her backyard for those who had an intellectual disability; she wanted them to have a place to stay. This bacckyard summer camp then translated into something more; it became the event we know today, The Special Olympics. July 20, 1968 is when the first Special Olympics was held at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. Below is a video about Eunice and her legacy.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOmHOU9FRCs align:right]
Task
[video:https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=special+olympics&page=2]
This is a video of an athlete who has been competing in the Special Olympics for awhile. As you can see, Ian really enjoys it.
The athletes in the Special Olympics all have an intellectual disability.It is important to remember that these athletes have disabilities, but they are not to be known by their disabilites or called by their disabilites. Everyone has a name and a story and it is important to note that we should call people by their names and not by the things that make everyone different. The athletes are all races and come from over 170 countries. There are approximately just over 200 Million people in the world that have an intellectual disability. There are 4.5 milion athletes ages 8 and up who are Special Olympics athletes. For many more interesting facts about the athletes who participate in the Special Olympics and their stories you can go to http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Who_We_Are/Our-Athletes.aspx.&n…; This is a really interesting organization and it it one step to make everyone feel like a regular person. Everyone deserves a chance to feel like a winner.
Process
The following website has 10 interesting facts about the special Olympics. My favorite fact from this website is that the Special Olympics motto is "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in my attempt."
http://www.goodnet.org/articles/10-facts-about-special-olympics-list-1#
Evaluation
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJCK43Q_Bxo align:center]
Before you read this webquest, did you have other thoughts about the Special Olympics? Have you donated time or money to the Special Olympics? If you have done anything for the Special Olympics what are your experiences that you can share with others? Lastly, would you be a fan of an athlete if they looked like this?
If you know someone who wants to become a Special Olympics athlete all you have to do is reach out to the nearest Special Olympics office.
Lastly, I hope these videos and facts made you smile. These videos are full of joy and I hope you take that with you. Those who have an intellectual disbility are not to be pitied; they are just like us and full of joy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope you have a new found respect, if you didn't already for the Special Olympics and their athletes. If you want to take that a step further and getting involved whether it be participating in the Polar Plunge or volunteering for Special Olympics that would be awesome! I have added some links below for signing up for volunteer options below. Thanks for visiting my web quest!
http://www.specialolympicswisconsin.org/get-involved/volunteer/
http://www.specialolympics.org/Sections/Get_Involved/Get_Involved.aspx
http://polarplungewi.org/ways-to-participate/ways-to-plunge/