I have been a Special Olympics Illinois athlete and a Global Messenger for 13 years and wanted to share my experience. I have played tennis, volleyball, basketball, floor hockey, soccer, bocce ball, track and field plus snowshoe racing. I live in Villa Park, Illinois and have competed thru my special recreation group as well as my public high school.
I have trained and competed in many practices, games and tournaments. I have advanced to a number of state games from my area events in all of my sports with the potential to attend a USA/national, regional or international games competition in any of my sports.
The Global Messenger program has allowed me to spread the word about Special Olympics to people in the community through various groups, fundraisers and events. I get to practice the skill of public speaking in this capacity.
However with my intellectual PDD-NOS autistic disability comes with it some challenges into handling the noise environment in indoor sports in some cases such as the loud, permanent, walled scoreboard buzzer that is occasionally used during basketball, floor hockey and volleyball games.
So with all that I mentioned, what sports programs in any city, state or country that serve my needs and challenges do you know of thru factual or personal experience? A Special Olympics program can be mentioned but I just wanted to find out if S.O. or other sports programs that can accommodate my special needs exist. Thanks!
14 Jun 2016, 7:46 pm
