This is discrimination of the highest order. Special Olympics Chairman and CEO Tim Shriver calls it a matter of ”life and death”. We’ve been through this before, but let’s go through a few things again…

• People with intellectual disabilies deserve every  right that “typical” people enjoy, including access to health care.
• A disabiltiy does not define an individual’s “quality-of-life”.
• A person with an intellectual disabiltiy is a person first! Any medical diagnosis is just a part of the overall picture of who that person is.

Those of us who work in this field, as well as family members of people with disabilities, and franlkly most people alive in the United States in 2012 have met countless individuals with intellectual disabilities who have contributed greatly to society and made the world an infinitely better place. We have also met some people with disabilities who have a poor quality of life. Just like we have met some people without disabilities who have made great societal contributions and some people without disabilities who have a poor quality of life. A person’s disability is not what defines her quality of life or worthiness to live her life.

Being refused medical care because of an intellectual diability is no different than being refused for one’s religion, or sexual orientation, or the color of one’s skin. It is an issue of basic human rights. It is up to all of us to speak up when we encounter instances like these. We cannot afford to remain silent.

For more information on this particular situation, please visit Amelia’s mother’s blog post.

Sam Baglioni honored on the field during a recent Patriots game

Throughout the 2011-2012 season, the New England Patriots have awarded a “Difference Maker of The Week” at home agmes at Gillette Stadium.  One ”Difference Maker” was Sam Baglioni, a long-time Special Olympics Ma. volunteer who has spent years volunteering in many capacities, including coaching, organizing events, and building community programs. We at Special Olympics are so grateful to have community partners like the New England Patriots, whose philanthropic commitment to our organization also includes tremendous support of our flag football initiative.  We are also so grateful for over 12,000 volunteers like Sam, whose dedication to the health and well-being of Special Olympics athletes is truly changing the world for people with and without intellectual disabilities.  Thank you Sam, thank you Patriots, and thank you to the Kraft family for contributing so positively to all of New England.

First, for each consumer who redeems a coupon from P&G’s January brandSAVER, the company’s monthly coupon book, the company will make a donation to Special Olympics. 

The money-saving coupon booklet will be distributed in newspapers to more than 55 million U.S. households on one day only – January 1, 2012 – and will offer $95 in savings on some of P&G’s most popular brands including Olay®, Crest®, Pantene®, Tide®, Pampers® and Duracell®. The goal of the brandSAVER is to increase awareness and donations for Special Olympics.

Also, P&G has also announced a consumer Facebook initiative to augment their donation. For every new “like,” P&G receives on its Thank You Mom Facebook page (facebook.com/thankyoumom) through February 28, 2012, the company will donate one dollar to Special Olympics, up to $100,000.

So grab this Sunday’s newspaper and hop on over to Facebook and help our athletes become happier and healthier in 2012!

Beyond the numbers – the more than 13,000 athletes, 120 competitions and 10,000 volunteers – are the stories that shaped what we accomplished together in 2011.

We met a young athlete fromMartha’s Vineyardat the Cape Cod School Day Games who told us “this is the best day of my life!”  We watched as fiveMassachusettsathletes trained for months to prepare for the 2011 World Summer Games inAthens,Greece, and then delivered medal winning performances that made us all very proud.  We witnessed hundreds of athletes screened by our Healthy Athletes program, many taking vision or hearing exams for the first time, and seeing the dramatic impact it had on their lives.

Thanks to you and the thousands of others who support our organization, we are truly making a difference in the lives of our athletes.  Through better physical fitness and healthcare, increased self-confidence and self-esteem, and continuing opportunities to achieve what was once thought impossible, our athletes are looking forward to a future with a greatly improved quality of life.

There is still much work to do, however, if we are to achieve equity for people with intellectual disabilities in our society.  There is still a healthcare system that is not equipped to treat our population, and there is still a world with discrimination and cruelty.  Thanks to the hard work of many, including you, we are up to the challenge.  Thank you again for a tremendous year and all you do for Special Olympics Massachusetts.

Happy Holidays and the best to you for a great 2012!

PS: You can make a last minute year-end gift by clicking on the picture above.

Heading to the State Tournament, the Plouffe Academy Unified^® Volleyball team, a team which combines individuals with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team as equal teammates, looked forward to a weekend of competition and camaraderie with the Wolverines. As the competition grew nearer, West struggled to meet the required number of athletes needed for the competition. Plouffe Academy coach Jim Hatch thought of a solution to the dilemma and rallied additional coaches Sally Morrill and Jim Dinitto to discuss asking one of their own players to play for the West team. If a Plouffe player would acquiesce to this idea it would allow all players on both teams to participate; but the coaches knew they needed to ask a talented and selfless player to play on the West team. They player they chose to ask was Cesar Romero.

The coaches decided Cesar was polite, outgoing and dedicated to accomplishing his goals. Although Cesar was hesitant at first, he soon agreed. During the competition, Cesar played for the Wolverines acting as a friendly and valuable member of their team, he also became a bridge between the two teams who enabled all players to experience a weekend they will remember for the rest of their lives. When the Plouffe team was eliminated from gold medal contention, Cesar served as a key player in helping the West Wolverines achieve their gold medal. Players from both teams were happy and all coaches were very proud of Cesar for his sacrifice, cooperation and incredible sportsmanship. The Brockton Program was grateful to Cesar and nominated the 7^th grader for the Liberty Mutual, “Most Responsible Sports Moment” contest which recognizes 10 extraordinary sportsmen out of over 100 nominations. A judging panel for Liberty Mutual comprised of representatives from Responsible Sports partner organizations selected Cesar as one of their top 10 winners and awarded Plouffe Academy $1,000 to support the development and needs of youth sports due to Cesar’s valiant efforts.

Cesar is a shining example of the Special Olympics’ mission and simply a great sport. This holiday season let his passion and spirit inspire you. Click below to support program like these.

Before 2010, Kevin had not played a team sport in decades and was reluctant to join Special Olympics. After a few times on the soccer field and basketball court, Kevin was able to see ‘he still had it’ and become determined to fine-tune his athletic skills. Time and practice dribbling down the court as well as running and kicking the soccer ball helped Kevin see dramatic results in his waist line and his self confidence. His enthusiasm in athletics has also taken him to the Special Olympics Massachusetts’ State Games in both soccer and basketball where he has competed with hundreds of athletes from all across the Commonwealth. In a short time, Kevin has modified his physical and mental self to transform into a healthy, fit athlete who has earned the right to be very proud.

Working out and good nutrition have enabled Kevin to participate in several 5K road races including the Jolly Jaunt; a fundraising event to raise money for Special Olympics. When Kevin is not training or competing he pursues his is a movie and history buff as well as a major sports fan. Kevin is grateful for Special Olympics and for the positive changes it has helped him experience in his life. He appreciates his experiences with the organization and looks forward to a bright future on and off the court.

This holiday season let Kevin’s dedication and spirit inspire you. Click below make a year-end gift and help those with intellectual disabilities live a more fulfilling and healthy life.

In 2010, Amanda’s hard work and dedication as an athlete paid off and when she earned a place on the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games Basketball Team. She was one of nearly 60 athletes who represented the Commonwealth in Lincoln, Nebraska with over 3,000 of her peers selected for their superior abilities. Amanda was an important member of the team and her agility on the court contributed to winning the bronze medal. Showcasing her abilities in basketball was only one highlight of Amanda’s trip; she also enjoyed traveling to a new place and the chance to have an overnight trip.

The opportunities for Amanda to experience success and a healthier way of life through athletics with Special Olympics have increased her confidence and success outside the gym. When she is not training or competing, Amanda is a wonderful cook and is pursuing her passion in the kitchen by working at a local restaurant. She also enjoys finding ways to contribute to Special Olympics Massachusetts by raising money through fundraisers. Amanda has run several road races but greatly enjoys the organization’s annual Jolly Jaunt which raises money for her favorite cause.

This holiday season let Amanda’s passion and spirit inspire you to make a difference. Click below to provide a better way of life for those with intellectual disabilities.

Don Sheldon and Kathy Keith: Don and Kathy have been long time volunteers and leaders of the Special Olympics Movement in theMerrimackValley. Don has run a soccer program inAndover for over ten years and Kathy has run a basketball program inNorth Andover for five years while also annually organizing the North Andover School Day games. Together, Don and Kathy have provided inclusive athletic and health-improvement opportunities for over a thousand young people with and without disabilities in theMerrimackValley. Because of the vision and leadership of Don and Kathy, the entireMerrimackValley is a more inclusive, accepting community for individuals with and without intellectual disabilities.

Nancy Armstrong and Andrew Kingsley: Nancy and Andrew are both affiliated with theBrooklineParks and Rec. basketball program.Nancy has been a coach for seven years,  and demonstrates a genuine caring for Special Olympics athletes and infectious enthusiasm for the Special Olympics Movement. Andrew, a high school senior at Roxbury Latin is a coach and Unified Partner. Andrew is is a natural leader, respected by athletes and coaches alike, and is the personification of the ideal Special Olympic Coach. 

Ruthie Chiasson:  Ruthie is a founding member of the “Red, White, and Bid” fundraising event committee. For 8 years, she has provided the leadership and expertise that has kept this event going.  Because of her efforts, this event has raised over $200,000 and made many new friends forSpecial Olympics Massachusetts.

These are just five of the thousands of individuals who constitute the Special Olympics Massachusetts family. Please consider making a year-end donation in honor of the great heroes who go above and beyond to create happier, healthier lives for Special Olympics athletes.

Mary Beth recognizes coaching as being more than teaching sports skills to athletes. She is an integral part of her athlete’s lives and works every day to take steps that contribute to improving their quality of life. She has arranged social events, gone to Red Sox games and event traveled to Disneyworld with her athletes. In 1999 she organized an opportunity for athletes to travel abroad as part of an exchange program through a Global Partnership with Special Olympics Ireland. Since she began coaching, there has not been a National or International Games where her athletes have not been nominated or selected. She has traveled half way around the world, many times at her own expense, to support and cheer on her athletes. She tries to be an example to her athletes through exemplary behavior like being a stickler for the rules; even when it does not work to the advantage of her athletes.

Mary Beth’s hard work and perseverance over the years have garnered a huge amount of respect among Special Olympics Massachusetts athletes, parents, volunteers and staff who look to her for advice and support. She is a valuable resource and recognized expert in the field of intellectual disabilities due to her experience and knowledge. Her guide on ‘Teaching the SO Athlete’ is a valuable tool for many in the organization and is comprised of effective methods, teaching strategies, behavior management techniques and behavior expectations. Mary Beth’s guidelines have paved a road to a better way of life, increased courage and opportunities to grow for athletes.

This holiday season let Mary Beth’s passion and spirit inspire you. Click below to provide a better way of life for those with intellectual disabilities.

Today we officially dedicated the lobby as the Samantha Marci Stevens Atrium Lobby in her honor. Samantha and her family visited the building back in June of this year to attend a Young Athletes event. From there, the family was hooked and realized that Special Olympics would certainly be a part of Samantha’s life from here on in.

“We have already seen how Special Olympics programs will change Samantha’s life and we want to ensure these vital programs are here for not only Samantha but many others for many years to come,” stated Brian Stevens.

Samantha has already participated in various Special Olympics programs and has received highly specialized medical care as a direct result of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative.  The Stevens family is showing their gratitude with this special gift.

Many staff members as well as Marlborough city and state officials were on hand to thanks the Stevens family for their generosity.