A VOICE OF OUR OWN: Building a future with a difference

Barbados is home to the oldest Special Olympics programme in the region.
For 35 years, it has been the mission of Special Olympics Barbados to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual challenges.
This gives them the continual opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in sharing gifts, skills and friendships with  their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
More than 800 individuals are enrolled in the national organization through its sports, outreach, and health and wellness programmes.  
Special Olympics Barbados’ board of directors, looking to the future, has been strengthened through specialized training, which is facilitating the implementation of a strategic plan.
The strategic plan maps out how the organization will grow in the coming years to expand services to even more intellectually challenged people and build upon it successes.
Among its recent successes, a small team of seven athletes competed in the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece, and proudly represented Barbados when all of them returned home with World Games medals from the international event which involved 7 000 athletes from 170 nations.
Each year, the organization holds the Special Olympics Barbados Annual National Games, in which hundreds of athletes compete in several sports disciplines: aquatics, bocce, football, athletics (track and field) and cricket. Throughout the year, athletes participate in volleyball and handball, and will soon take part in a revival of floor hockey. They are also exposed to regional events, such as the recent Open Water Swimming Competition hosted by Special Olympics Cayman Islands.
Confidence, a spirit of accomplishment and improved physical skills are enhanced by ongoing year-round training.
Young adults take part in outreach skills training activities, which keep them involved in Special Olympics by satisfying their holistic development and social and cultural needs. Participants, who meet on Saturdays at St Leonard’s Boys’ School, are in the second year of a stimulating performing arts training programme, which includes drumming and dance. In order to further expand their cultural experiences, Outreach athletes are currently preparing for an upcoming trip to a neighbouring Caribbean island.
Many of the athletes have the additional challenge of overcoming physical disabilities and maintaining healthy bodies.
 The annual Special Olympics Barbados Healthy Athlete Screening provides them with comprehensive health check-ups. Participants receive free vision checks and eyeglasses, dental, hearing, podiatric, nutritional and general health screening from health professionals trained and certified by Special Olympics International.
Families of athletes share a unique understanding and compassion and are always on hand to encourage, cheer and lend their support.
Through family education and special focus discussions, Special Olympics Barbados helps maintain a close relationship with the families of athletes.  
Coaching intellectually challenged individuals requires a special knowledge, sensitivity and dedication. Special Olympics coaches are provided with overseas and local training by Special Olympics International and Special Olympics Caribbean, and last month, local coaches took part in a three-day training seminar.
Successful candidates will receive coaching certification from Special Olympics International.
Special Olympics reaches the intellectually challenged population and fosters its inclusion in wider society through the financial support provide by corporations, business houses, government ministries, groups and individuals.
It is the life blood of Special Olympics. Donations can be made directly to the following account: Special Olympics Barbados, First Caribbean Bank, account number 162017675.
Submitted by Special Olympics Barbados.