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Last year in February, our friends Jorie, Zach, Joe, and Melissa participated in the Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights, NJ to. I went along, 6 months pregnant, to support them in their plunge to raise money for the Special Olympics of NJ. At the time, unbeknownst to myself and Chris, Colin was developing inside of me with an extra chromosome. Who would have known then, that this year, we would all be participating in the Polar Bear Plunge in honor of Colin.
Very shortly after Colin was born, Jorie took the initiative and sent out an email to all of our friends and family with the goal of getting everyone to participate in the Polar Bear Plunge as a team. As time has gone by, this intiative has turned into a reality and we will be plunging as Team CAT Crew in honor of Colin ro raise money for the Special Olympics of NJ.
The Special Olympics has a very important mission and philosophy in mind:
Mission
To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Philosophy
Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports, adapted as necessary to meet the needs of those with special mental and physical limitations.
Special Olympics believes that consistent training is indispensable to the development of sports skills, and that competition among those of equal abilities is the most appropriate means of testing these skills, measuring progress and providing incentives for personal growth.
Special Olympics believes that through sports training and competition, people with intellectual disabilities are benefited physically, mentally, socially and spiritually; families are strengthened, and the community at large, both through participation and observation, is united in understanding with intellectual disabilities in an environment of equality, respect and acceptance.
Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports, adapted as necessary to meet the needs of those with special mental and physical limitations.
Special Olympics believes that consistent training is indispensable to the development of sports skills, and that competition among those of equal abilities is the most appropriate means of testing these skills, measuring progress and providing incentives for personal growth.
Special Olympics believes that through sports training and competition, people with intellectual disabilities are benefited physically, mentally, socially and spiritually; families are strengthened, and the community at large, both through participation and observation, is united in understanding with intellectual disabilities in an environment of equality, respect and acceptance.
We are honored to participate in such a special cause and will all be there, including Colin, in February to support. Thank you Jorie and Zach for initiating this and to the rest of our friends and family for showing your support for Colin, the Special Olympics, and the Down Syndrome Community.
Thank you for raising awareness of Down Syndrome!
If you are interested in donating, please click here for my webpage.
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