Today we are trying make this community a better place by having unified teams across the country!
Special Olmpics NY Oath
"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt"~Athlete Oath
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
The reason why I became a Global Messenger
Special Olympics not only offers sports to athletes. Athletes can become a Global Messenger if they have a voice in Special Olympics, I know I have a voice in Special Olympics!
I became a Global Messenger so can I tell everybody what a great organization Special Olympics and why is so important. Also I get to my story and how Special Olympics affects my life. Also how they help me who I am today. I have done so many speeches to the public and fundraisers for Special Olympics. I am looking forward to speaking at schools and business in the near future. I am also looking forward having the chance to tell others how they can get involve.
Please let me know if you like to hear me speak at a local business, schools or even fundraisers.
I became a Global Messenger so can I tell everybody what a great organization Special Olympics and why is so important. Also I get to my story and how Special Olympics affects my life. Also how they help me who I am today. I have done so many speeches to the public and fundraisers for Special Olympics. I am looking forward to speaking at schools and business in the near future. I am also looking forward having the chance to tell others how they can get involve.
Please let me know if you like to hear me speak at a local business, schools or even fundraisers.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Beautiful Poems written by Jessica Spitz, Special Olympics NY Athlete
 |
| Jessica Spitz |
Poem 1 of 3:
Someone says I wiggle
Someone says I giggle People say i am different
People say I am weird
People say I cant do anything
But look at me
just look at wonderful me
I make people smile
I make people laugh
I can do anything
That’s the beauty of me
~Jessica Spitz
************
Poem 2 of 3:
Do you need a friend
Do you need a voice
Do you need hope
Do you need love
I will be your friend
I will be your voice
I will bring you hope
I will give you love
My name is special Olympics~Jessica Spitz
************
Poem 3 of 3:
Some people may not have words
Some people may not have friends
Some people might have a hard time at school
Some people need acceptance
Some people need a family
Sports turn into words
Team turns into friends
Hard times become fun times
Special Olympics gives acceptance
Special Olympics is a family~Jessica Spitz
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
USA Games
The USA Games were in New Jersey on June 14 to 21st 2014. It was truly a great experience and I was honored to be on Team New York. I made so many new friends. My coaches and teammates were wonderful. We all had a wonderful time there! It was so close to home that one of the Special NY Hudson Valley staff came down and support and cheer us on! Enjoy some of the pictures!
I competed the first ever sported add to the games, the Triathlon. The triathlon consisted a 250 meter open water swim, 6 mile bike ride and it end with a 5k (3.2 mile run) All the training I did paid and I earn a Bronze medal!
We are ready!!!
Finishing strong!!
Trent Hampton, Sean O'Rourke and I
Teresa came and cheer me on and my wonderful mother came down too!
I competed the first ever sported add to the games, the Triathlon. The triathlon consisted a 250 meter open water swim, 6 mile bike ride and it end with a 5k (3.2 mile run) All the training I did paid and I earn a Bronze medal!
We are ready!!! Teresa came and cheer me on and my wonderful mother came down too! Tuesday, November 18, 2014
You know you are hooked when.... from Special Olympics Coach!
How do you know when you are hooked? When you hear a parent who has received Family of Year award say, "thank you for taking my daughters out of the stands and putting them on the laying field where they belong." When you see the smile of an athlete the first time they accomplish something they have tried to do. When you watch an athlete take what they have learned on those playing fields and apply it to the rest of their life. When you think about all the great friends you have made all across New York State. These are just some of the reasons that Special Olympics is my healthy addiction.
Coach/Volunteer - Kathi Nolan!
Coach/Volunteer - Kathi Nolan!
Monday, November 17, 2014
What is Special Olympics? Quote from a Participant!
What is Special Olympics? Here is a beautiful quote of someone who participates with us. He wrote this to his donors today:
"The Special Olympics reveals the champion in all of us - athletes, volunteers, coaches, fans, supporters, and others by illustrating that everyone can excel when obstacles like stigma and prejudice are removed and people are given a chance. What I most respect, too, is that The Special Olympics athletes lead the way, acting as the Movement’s spokespeople, visionaries, and inspiration, changing attitudes of everyone they encounter and shattering the myths that people with intellectual disabilities are less capable than others of leading fulfilling lives and contributing greatly to their communities."~Anonymous
Beautifully said. We change lives! With only 4 staff in our office covering 7 regions in the Hudson Valley and having over 3,500 Athletes, we keep very busy. We hold over 42 Athlete local events (called programs) yearly and hold many fundraisers to keep these events going! This doesn't include any of the State Games, World Games or USA Games that we handle as well and handling 22 Olympic-style sports. If it wasn't for all the wonderful, caring participants, donors, sponsors, volunteers, coaches and so many more, we couldn't do it all! So, thank you all so very, very much!!! We greatly appreciate all you do!
There is nothing better than to see an Athlete's smile, to see them laugh with their peers, to see them get a job, live alone or even drive. To see them take leads and speak in front of hundreds of people, to get hugs and thank you's from them, or to see how proud they are when they receive a Special Olympics Medal. To see Athletes who were bullied, build confidence and now feel empowered. Special Olympics changes lives. Not just the Athletes, but also changes the live of those who have a part of it as well. Everyone after participating in Special Olympics........can only use one word.........LOVE!
There are so many ways to help. Volunteer (at a Fundraiser or Athlete event), Participate in a Fundraiser, become a Coach, Donate, Sponsor, become a Spectator, Start your own Fundraiser, and more! So, please join our family!
I will end by quoting Eunice Kennedy Shriver,
"I will continue to keep fighting for people with intellectual disabilities. We've got to be so proud of what our special friends do and their future," said Shriver, "Their possibility of really bringing to the world something that really resembles peace and hope and faith and love that's what they can do. And we're so proud of them. And we want to keep going all the time, the next 20 years. I'm going. You come with me?"
"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt"~Athlete Oath
"The Special Olympics reveals the champion in all of us - athletes, volunteers, coaches, fans, supporters, and others by illustrating that everyone can excel when obstacles like stigma and prejudice are removed and people are given a chance. What I most respect, too, is that The Special Olympics athletes lead the way, acting as the Movement’s spokespeople, visionaries, and inspiration, changing attitudes of everyone they encounter and shattering the myths that people with intellectual disabilities are less capable than others of leading fulfilling lives and contributing greatly to their communities."~Anonymous
Beautifully said. We change lives! With only 4 staff in our office covering 7 regions in the Hudson Valley and having over 3,500 Athletes, we keep very busy. We hold over 42 Athlete local events (called programs) yearly and hold many fundraisers to keep these events going! This doesn't include any of the State Games, World Games or USA Games that we handle as well and handling 22 Olympic-style sports. If it wasn't for all the wonderful, caring participants, donors, sponsors, volunteers, coaches and so many more, we couldn't do it all! So, thank you all so very, very much!!! We greatly appreciate all you do!
There is nothing better than to see an Athlete's smile, to see them laugh with their peers, to see them get a job, live alone or even drive. To see them take leads and speak in front of hundreds of people, to get hugs and thank you's from them, or to see how proud they are when they receive a Special Olympics Medal. To see Athletes who were bullied, build confidence and now feel empowered. Special Olympics changes lives. Not just the Athletes, but also changes the live of those who have a part of it as well. Everyone after participating in Special Olympics........can only use one word.........LOVE!
There are so many ways to help. Volunteer (at a Fundraiser or Athlete event), Participate in a Fundraiser, become a Coach, Donate, Sponsor, become a Spectator, Start your own Fundraiser, and more! So, please join our family!
I will end by quoting Eunice Kennedy Shriver,
"I will continue to keep fighting for people with intellectual disabilities. We've got to be so proud of what our special friends do and their future," said Shriver, "Their possibility of really bringing to the world something that really resembles peace and hope and faith and love that's what they can do. And we're so proud of them. And we want to keep going all the time, the next 20 years. I'm going. You come with me?"
"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt"~Athlete Oath
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Adventures of a Special Olympic Mom
Let me introduce myself...my name is Susan Sanchez or in the world of Special Olympics I am Katy's mom. Not just any mom....Katy's mom. I have the honor of being in that very elite club of Special Olympic Parents. Not any parent can be a member. It only for those of us who have children who participate in Special Olympics. It is a life changing organization , at least for me and my family it was. Special Olympics helped Katy bloom into the soaring butterfly she now is and I have to say I have enjoyed watching it and being ...well being Katy's Mom.
From that first moment that I dropped her off at basketball practice so many years ago until now when she has just told her story to 700 people and brought them to tears. It has been an amazing journey so far and as I write again on this blog I will pass along more amazing adventures of Katy and being her Mom.
From that first moment that I dropped her off at basketball practice so many years ago until now when she has just told her story to 700 people and brought them to tears. It has been an amazing journey so far and as I write again on this blog I will pass along more amazing adventures of Katy and being her Mom.
Adventures of a Special Olympic Athlete
My name is Katy Sanchez , I am Special Olympic Athlete and Global Messenger. The sports I participate are soccer, golf, floor hockey, basketball, track and field, cycling and triathlons. I started Special Olympics in 2007. I started with basketball, I fit in right away and start playing and I said my parents I want to join the Special Olympics and they went for it because they want me to happy and the rest is history!
I enjoy spreading the word about Special Olympics. I like to talk about Special Olympics because its a wonderful cause. I get to talk about my experiences. I also like to get people to change their hearts and minds about seeing us with disabilities and to see the challenges we face everyday. In Special Olympics we show them our abilities!
Here is my quote about Special Olympics "Never look back. Always look forward to your future and what it will bring to you. We are here to make a difference in the lives of others. Chose to be inspired by acts of others and make a difference".
This a picture of some of the Special Olympics NY Hudson Valley staff, coaches and athletes!
More to come.....
I enjoy spreading the word about Special Olympics. I like to talk about Special Olympics because its a wonderful cause. I get to talk about my experiences. I also like to get people to change their hearts and minds about seeing us with disabilities and to see the challenges we face everyday. In Special Olympics we show them our abilities!
Here is my quote about Special Olympics "Never look back. Always look forward to your future and what it will bring to you. We are here to make a difference in the lives of others. Chose to be inspired by acts of others and make a difference".
More to come.....
Adventures from a Special Olympics Staff
Hello. My name is Teresa. Here is the start of the line of stories you will read from me about my experiences of being part of the Special Olympics Staff. I hope you enjoy. Let the stories being.....
In December of 2004, the last Company I was working for, lost a bid, and had to close their doors. So, in January of 2005, I was desperately looking for a job. I saw an ad that Special Olympics Dutchess County was looking for an Administrative Assistant. I applied and got the job!!! I started in February 2005.
After accepting this job, I said to myself that would I would keep job hunting as my background is Computer Science and that is the field I wanted to get back into. Needless to say, I am still here and I am now the Director of Development for Special Olympics NY - Hudson Valley Region. Why? I will be posting some of my experiences working as a Staff for Special Olympics NY. It is truly a rewarding, heart-warming job/experience and truly love what I do!
2005 - Time Trials East
In the Spring of 2005, I went to my first ever 2005 Time Trials. I was excited because I was going to meet many Coaches and Athletes, which I did! They were ALL wonderful They were kind, loving and they made me feel like family. Touched my heart!
During the games, It started to drizzle. The Athletes and Coaches were enjoying themselves, nonetheless, and were determined to continue. They still all had smiles on their faces which bought one to mine too. I thought that this was so cool. They were all determined and ran all races on time. We even beat the down pour of rain later that afternoon. I thought WOW!
As I was looking around, I saw a couple with a newborn baby. I thought to my self, "I wonder who they are with? I should walk over and see the baby." During this thought, I was distracted and when I looked over a little while later, I saw the Lady, crying. It was just starting the drizzle and they were starting to walk to their car. I ran, got two t-shirts, and ran over to them. I introduced my self, gave them the shirts to say, Thanks for coming, and then I said "Aw.... what a beautiful Baby!" She smiled and I asked, "Is everything OK?" She laughed and said "These are tears of joy. My baby girl was born with Down Syndrome and was worried about her future." She proceeded to say, "My Husband and I, heard about this event and just stopped by to see what Special Olympics is all about. Do you know what I saw?" I shook my head no. She then said "Love!". I smiled. I told her this was my first experience as well and said, "Truly a touching experience". She smiled, thanked me for the shirts, and gave me a hug and kiss and said, "Your smile says it all. My Daughter has a future. Thank you.". They turned and walked away. I just smiled and thought to myself, WOW!!!!! :)
My first memorable experience of Special Olympics - More to come!
In December of 2004, the last Company I was working for, lost a bid, and had to close their doors. So, in January of 2005, I was desperately looking for a job. I saw an ad that Special Olympics Dutchess County was looking for an Administrative Assistant. I applied and got the job!!! I started in February 2005.
After accepting this job, I said to myself that would I would keep job hunting as my background is Computer Science and that is the field I wanted to get back into. Needless to say, I am still here and I am now the Director of Development for Special Olympics NY - Hudson Valley Region. Why? I will be posting some of my experiences working as a Staff for Special Olympics NY. It is truly a rewarding, heart-warming job/experience and truly love what I do!
2005 - Time Trials East
In the Spring of 2005, I went to my first ever 2005 Time Trials. I was excited because I was going to meet many Coaches and Athletes, which I did! They were ALL wonderful They were kind, loving and they made me feel like family. Touched my heart!
During the games, It started to drizzle. The Athletes and Coaches were enjoying themselves, nonetheless, and were determined to continue. They still all had smiles on their faces which bought one to mine too. I thought that this was so cool. They were all determined and ran all races on time. We even beat the down pour of rain later that afternoon. I thought WOW!
As I was looking around, I saw a couple with a newborn baby. I thought to my self, "I wonder who they are with? I should walk over and see the baby." During this thought, I was distracted and when I looked over a little while later, I saw the Lady, crying. It was just starting the drizzle and they were starting to walk to their car. I ran, got two t-shirts, and ran over to them. I introduced my self, gave them the shirts to say, Thanks for coming, and then I said "Aw.... what a beautiful Baby!" She smiled and I asked, "Is everything OK?" She laughed and said "These are tears of joy. My baby girl was born with Down Syndrome and was worried about her future." She proceeded to say, "My Husband and I, heard about this event and just stopped by to see what Special Olympics is all about. Do you know what I saw?" I shook my head no. She then said "Love!". I smiled. I told her this was my first experience as well and said, "Truly a touching experience". She smiled, thanked me for the shirts, and gave me a hug and kiss and said, "Your smile says it all. My Daughter has a future. Thank you.". They turned and walked away. I just smiled and thought to myself, WOW!!!!! :)
My first memorable experience of Special Olympics - More to come!
Welcome to the Special Olympics NY - Hudson Valley Region BLOG!
New Blog where you will hear stories from those who have a direct impact with Special Olympics. You will see, read and hear true life experiences from Staff, Athletes, Parents, Volunteers and so much more! So, Welcome and hope you enjoy our Blog!
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