A Message From Tom Chambers,
Newport
Host to some of Luxembourg’s special Olympians ,and himself a wheelchair user for many years.
“I suppose I would be a rich man if I got a € 10 for every time I was asked if I was taking part in the Olympics. Okay I have competed against the best disabled athletes from many countries in Europe in the 80s and just failed to qualify for the Olympics in1986.
At my age now the nearest I will get to the Olympics is by hosting an athlete, which I am proud to do and am looking forward to attending the opening of the games in Croke Park.
Everyone old enough would remember where he or she when John F Kennedy was shot. Even we all remember the bombing in the U S A. but on the longest and greatest in my life, hope ,will be with 75.000 others crowded in Croake Park at the official opening of the Special Olympic Games.
We here in Ireland, especially the women, think there are only two famous people in the world .Joe Dolan and Daniel O Donnell. but on the 21st June ,I ,and others will have the pleasure of being entertained by two of the most important people in the world, Nelson Mandela and Mohamed Ali and 7,000 Special Athletes.
The coming games are for special Athletes, both children and adults with a learning disability. They compete in various types of sports which gives them an opportunity to develop physical fitness ,demonstrate courage, experience joy participate in sharing gifts, skill friendship with their families, other special Olympics athletes and the community.
Special Olympics athletes carry these benefits with them into their daily lives at home ,in the classroom ,on the job and in the community. Families who participate become stronger as they as they learn a greater appreciation of the athletes talents. Community volunteers find out what good friends the athletes can be. And everyone learns more about the capabilities of people with learning disability.
Hosting a Special Athlete by someone like myself who is confined to a wheelchair takes organising. But I had a good committee behind me. I also had great friends and relations who on the drop of a hat were able to answer my call for which I am grateful.
Many famous people have disabilities ,illness and impairments :Elton John(epilepsy), Stevie Wonder ( Visual impairment)Christopher Reeves( Quadriplegia)),Magic Johnson (H I Positive),Mohamed Ali (Parkinson Disease) Ronald Regan (Parkinson Disease),Brian Cowley, M E P (Paraplegic).
We don’t think of them as people with disabilities instead we think of them as great artists, leaders, or sports players .so why do we label some people by what they can’t do ,rather than what they are good at?
Finally can I remind everyone that the special Olympics athlete oath is ?
“let me win. but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”
Tom Chambers
“The Billy Ranch “
Knocknageeha
Newport
Co Mayo