Wanna see something SPECIAL?

shack

How about a bunch of kids at a local Special Olympics having the time of their life? Each year a bunch of local photographers get together and spend the day taking photos of the Special Olympics and then produce a DVD with all of the images to give to the kids and their family.

Here are just a few of the ones I took.

Next time you think your life sucks...think about these kids and the joy they get from just having some fun. I guarantee that I get more of a blessing just watching and photographing them than anything I else I could spend my time on.

shack

You can see how hard many of them were trying...you can see their competetors urging them on...but it was the smiles on their faces (and their family and friends faces) that said it all.

All in all...it was just kids being kids and having fun with their friends.

shack

As you can tell I was primarily photographing the track events. There were many events going on during the day, like softball throw, long jump, bocce ball and several others. There was also an awards ceremony where EVERY kid got a ribbon for each event they participated in as well as being on the awards stand and their name announced over the PA.

Photographers were covering everything going on. Some of these guys are pros who donated their time and there are some amateurs (LIKE ME) who just like to take pictures. Everyone of them received much more than they gave...many times over.

Here are some of them in action...they deserve some props as well...

cstmar01

The Special Olympics is great. My girlfriends father taught speical ed classes in a high school and it was something that the kids always looked forward to, and were always so excited about when it was coming up. Its great to see them smiling and so happy!

BTW That is a huge freakin' camera in the post above me!!!

steveinaz

WONDERFUL thread Shack-master. Every single face wears a smile---how great is that?

It's heartwarming to know that their are people dedicated to making these events happen. God Bless them all for their commitment and time.

shack

cstmar01 wrote:

The Special Olympics is great. My girlfriends father taught speical ed classes in a high school and it was something that the kids always looked forward to, and were always so excited about when it was coming up. Its great to see them smiling and so happy!

I have a nephew with Cerebral Palsy who is confined to a wheelchair. My neighbor coaches him and other kids (an adults as well) in basketball and baseball. The folks who actually heip these kids are SPECIAL in their own way.

cstmar01 wrote:

BTW That is a huge freakin' camera in the post above me!!!

Actually it is just a normal size Pro Digital SLR. It is the lens that is huge. That is a 600mm lens which retails for around $9,000 new. The lens hood alone sells for about $900. That is a SERIOUS piece of glass.

Willow

Fantastic pictures Shack, you captured pure happiness! except for that one guy in pic #9, he seems so serious and determined.
I once volunteered in an after school program fro special needs/ed kids. One of the best times I have had. They taught me so much!

tonyb

Great thread Shack. Your right too,these people who put this on and help out are very special also. How can you not love these kids man. Great pics to boot. Keeps my faith alive in my fellow man for sure.

BottomFeeder

Well done.

Knucklehead

Its nice to see them smile!

thsmith

The feeling of giving and pride for the sponsors and kids will last a life time. A feeling like no other.

mantis

Very nice work. Thanks for sharing.

Rivrrat

I have a mentally disabled nephew that is immensly proud of the medals he's won in the Special Olymipics. They deserve this little ray of sunshine in their life.

hearingimpared

Awesome Steve, those kids just melt my heart. My cousin, who was mentally challenged who btw was very intelligent, he could put a 2500 piece jigsaw puzzle together in no time, just recently passed away with a brain tumor. I really loved that guy. My uncle too was mentally retarded an I love him so much. They were both so much fun, so loving and lovable and always had a smile on their faces. I have a real soft spot in my heart for mentally retarded or challenged if you will, people.

As a matter of fact my sister is a teacher of mentally challenged children and just loves her job. We go to see her in school every-so-often and I can tell you those kids are a hoot.

Willow

Rivrrat wrote: »

I have a mentally disabled nephew that is immensly proud of the medals he's won in the Special Olymipics. They deserve this little ray of sunshine in their life.

I think the smiles on their faces would light up a universe!

Willow

Willow wrote: »

Fantastic pictures Shack, you captured pure happiness! except for that one guy in pic #9, he seems so serious and determined.
I once volunteered in an after school program fro special needs/ed kids. One of the best times I have had. They taught me so much!

Sorry that was pic #21!

shack

Willow wrote:

Sorry that was pic #21!

I figured it was either #15 or #21. I have other photos of some of these kids with VERY INTENSE looks on their faces. They are focused on the task at hand and determined to reach the finish line! That sort of attitude is also very rewarding to watch. It shows it is important to them. Just about everything about this day is a blessing and I look forward to doing it each year.

Sherardp

Cool thread bro. Nice to see the kids have a great time. Your pics came out very nice too.

George Grand

Shack Daddy, you da man.

I want a "Game On" Tee. Make it happen. Size "big kid" please.

hearingimpared

shack wrote: »

I figured it was either #15 or #21. I have other photos of some of these kids with VERY INTENSE looks on their faces. They are focused on the task at hand and determined to reach the finish line! That sort of attitude is also very rewarding to watch. It shows it is important to them. Just about everything about this day is a blessing and I look forward to doing it each year.

Steve, I'm a firm believer that they are God's special gifts and angels to us despite their disability.:) It is indeed a Blessing to interact with them.

Mazeroth

hearingimpared wrote: »

Steve, I'm a firm believer that they are God's special gifts and angels to us despite their disability.:) It is indeed a Blessing to interact with them.

Amen.

There was a man with down's syndrome at the church I grew up going to. He had a smile on his face the whole mass and when getting communion would smile and wave at everyone. He was a complete joy to be around.

lightman1

Tip O' the Hat shackster! My ex-wife is a special needs teacher and her kids love her a bunch. I help at Special O and other events when I can. Some of her kids ARE A RIOT!!! AND, I think I have a date for the prom!! Little Cara has taken a shine to me and asked my ex if I could come to the dance. Looks like I'll have to dust off the old tux.

hearingimpared

Mazeroth wrote: »

Amen.

There was a man with down's syndrome at the church I grew up going to. He had a smile on his face the whole mass and when getting communion would smile and wave at everyone. He was a complete joy to be around.

I'll bet he's a joy.

That's a shame. Health problem for folks with Down syndrome include a higher risk for congenital heart defects, gastroesophageal reflux disease, constant ear infections, sleep apnea, and thyroid problems.

My cousin is a podiatrist and goes to the Cardinal Krol Center in Broomal, PA each week to take care of the "the boys" feet. At least twice a year, when keeping records on them, we find that the one guys with Down's syndrome passed away as a result of the physical problems that the syndrome presents. It seems that they don't make it past their 40 or 50s.

I've been to the center and they just keep you cracking up. They are so lovable and fun to be around. I can tell you this, they are strong as a horse. I've yet to win an arm wrestling contest against anyone of them and now when I go, serveral of the guys line up and I have to arm wrestle each one, let me tell you, my arm and shoulder hurts for a week afterwards after getting slammed to the table LOL!!!. In most cases I can't even give them a run for their money!:eek:

Every time I leave there my heart is filled with joy as well as remorse for thinking on occasion that I have it bad.:)

heiney9

Great pics. Fabulous, heart warming thread.

H9

BlueMDPicker

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

mdaudioguy

Thanks Shack! This is quite an inspiration to me. I appreciate you posting it.

agfrost

Nice post and great pics, Shack. I've been to several Special Olympics events to watch my sister-in-law in action and your shots really capture the feel of being there!

To any one reading this thread that's getting warm fuzzies, may I offer up the suggestion that you look into getting involved with a program like Best Buddies, where you get paired for social activities with an individual with disabilities--I can promise you that you will receive at least as much as you give, and probably more. My family's heading out to a Best Buddies event this afternoon so that my sons can play kickball with Aunt Erika.


Jay

apc

I coached SO basketball for years. The kids are indeed special, but usually in a way other than most people think.

Thanks for participating in events that mean more than you can imagine to the participants and their families.

Nice captures too .

SCompRacer

Nice pics Steve! Thanks for sharing and bringing attention to the Special Olympics. My wife (CTRS, CPRP) devoted many years of her professional life to Special Rec. One of her highlights was coaching and accompanying Theresa Hiles to the Special Olympics World Games held in New Haven, Connecticut back in ‘95. Theresa won fourth place on the balance beam and took sixth in the floor exercises.

http://www.lib.niu.edu/1995/ip950933.html

[Deleted User]

Great posting! Thanks very much! Made my whole day!
Ken

shack

Thanks for all of the kind words. As many have said, just being around these special individuals is indeed a blessing. I know I was smiling even as I was looking through all of my shots and deciding which ones to post here.

If you enjoyed the photos...next time you have the oportunity to attend a similar event or work with a special needs individual...JUST DO IT! If you can't help out...just go to watch and cheer them on...you won't be sorry.