On Saturday morning, my son competed in his first Special Olympics competition, meeting athletes from neighboring towns on the field of Bocce Ball. I had no idea bocce was a Special Olympics sport, or really how it was even played, but my son and his buddy won three out of their four matches, and came home with bronze medals.
It was a nice low-key competition on a beautiful sunny day, marred only by one trash-talking guy who took to the bocce court shouting at his opponent, "We're going to beat you!" Oops, wait, that was my trash-talking guy. He was getting up in the face of a much older and larger athlete, who was giving it right back to him. Our first meet, and already we're perverting the Special Olympics spirit.
I pulled my son aside and gave him a quick lecture on how the important thing is trying hard and having fun together, not beating someone, and miraculously, it actually got through. So he went up to the big guy again, got right in his face again, and yelled, "I'm sure we are both going to do very well!" Fortunately, it was all high-fives from there.
Next up is Track and Field, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how he does with that. If there was a category for Jumping in Place With Arm Waving and Head Bobbing, he would be absolutely world-class.
Photo by Terri Mauro
Angela is in her 4th year of Special Olympics. It’s a VERY big part of her life! I’m hoping you’re in an area that is very organized and actually has practices several weeks prior to your area meet. Some places are NOT so organized, and take a bunch of people (many of whom are overweight and out of shape) and tell them “go run this race!” It drives me crazy! For track we have practice 2 days a week for 6-8 weeks prior to the first meet. It’s a GREAT way to build friendships, and we’ve made many that I’m sure will be lifelong ones! Here’s a video for you http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=701c2eecff8629b43a155
Hi, Leah! Fortunately, yes, they do have some practices scheduled for track, and did for bocce, too. They have things all through the year, which will be nice for my guy. He does Challenger baseball, but it’s a really short season. I’m glad for him to have other sports and fellowship options.
Very cool Terri!
Special Olympics is awesome. My son Bryan has been doing it for four years and having a great time. He competes in track and field, golf and bowling. Our group is like one big happy family!
such a cute storry.
When my husband was a child was in the Special Olympics.
Hi Terri:
Congratulations on a successful event and the medals!
Thanks for participating in this week’s Carnival of Family Life, hosted by Jen at Diary of 1. Be sure to drop by tomorrow, April 28, 2008, and check out some of the many wonderful articles submitted this week!
I’m glad he enjoyed playing bocce and won to boot! Bocce is a great game for all people. If your son is going to continue to compete every year, you should consider making him a bocce court (if you have space). You can make them pretty cheap and in no time he will be a pro!
Congrats again.
Adam