2020: Note 38 - Special Olympics

If you read last year's posts (weeks 45, 48, 50 and 51), you know that I did a trek on the Great Wall of China to raise money for Special Olympics. It was a great experience and I am glad I participated. But, it didn't provide any direct involvement with Special Olympics athletes and that is something I wanted to do.

This desire led me to the head of Special Olympics for my state, who kindly spent time talking me through ways to get involved on a more personal level. Since talking with him, I have been certified as a "Unified Partner", which allows me to train and participate in activities with a Special Olympics athlete.

I am now on a two-person team in a state-wide virtual challenge (it's virtual due to Covid). The two of us communicate via FaceTime and text, keeping each other motivated as we log our respective miles toward our team goal of 100 miles.

At some point when the virus is past or we have a vaccine, my partner athlete and I will be able to meet in person and walk together. In the meantime, we have our budding technology-based friendship and the challenge mileage tracker to keep us connected.

I am very grateful to the administrator who cared enough to help me get involved in this way. It's a new experience for me and I'm very glad about it.