The Gift Of Volunteering. by Carmen

The Gift Of Volunteering. by Carmen - May 2018 Scholarship Essay

My freshman year I was afforded the opportunity to become a Special Olympics basketball coach. I work with the athletes with beginner skills or below, by helping them prepare for a statewide competition in the spring that tests their dribbling,passing and shooting abilities. I feel so grateful to be able to work with these athletes because at one point in my life it could have been me. When I was 10 months old I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, although you would never guess, looking at me now, my doctors predicted that I would never walk, run or play sports. With therapy, I started to overcome some of the physical challenges experienced from having cerebral palsy and teach myself to do many of the things that my doctors said I would never be able to do. Though my condition has improved over the years, it shows itself mainly in the form of my hearing impairment, learning disability and muscle tone and rigidity issues, that force me to self advocate and find alternative ways to accomplish my goals. I have struggled with feeling self conscious about my disabilities and being proud of who I am. Joining Special Olympics help me realize the importance of living in the moment and not letting obstacles stay in your way. The athletes that I work with do not let their limitations keep them from exceeding and living their lives to their fullest potential. Society tends to feel sorry for individuals with disabilities and think everything they do is “cute” or less than, I have even found myself thinking this way in the past. I felt called to volunteer because I wanted to contribute to a change in this perception. Through working with these athletes I realized that there is no need to feel sorry for them, they are athletes like everyone else, they sweat, they run and they work hard to achieve their own personal success. Coaching these athletes not only shows them but also society that people with disabilities can do anything they put their minds to, the way they do it may look different but the important thing is the fact that they enjoy it, support each other and strive to reach their goals. Special Olympics shows people that the athletes aren’t “cute” or less than because they are disabled. Special Olympics makes every player feel like a winner no matter their abilities. The gift of living in the moment and celebrating every try is something they have given me to carry me forward. I hope to be a part of Special Olympics until they ask me to retire my gym shorts and sneakers.