Scituate Special Olympics finds magic
When speaking of the Special Olympics, Jeff Nothnagle, a long-time supporter of the program, says there is a “magic” to the events.
“Things happen that don’t just happen,” he said. Things such as people in wheelchairs racing on a track, and people with developmental disabilities – who often do not get to play on athletic teams at all – competing in a variety of sports ranging from the equestrian to volleyball.
At Sunday morning’s event at Scituate High School’s track, there were plenty of such magical happenings as 26 athletes competed in about 10 events. The event, held by the Special Olympics of Scituate, was organized as a make-up event for last month’s southeast regional meet, which was rained out.
The athletes – who ranged in age from 6 to 71 – were competing only against themselves, not against each other, organizers said. For those who will take part in the annual state Special Olympics event later this month, Sunday’s competition gave them a way to measure progress.
“The idea of today’s meet is to see where they’re at and prepare for the state meet,” said Betsy Callanan, also a long-time volunteer and organizer.
But for Leeann O’Donoghue, the idea of the event, attended by about 75 spectators, was to have fun and be with her friends. As she’s periodically interrupted by a friend who wants a hug goodbye, O’Donoghue, 44, said she’s been participating in the Special Olympics “ever since [she] was little.” On Sunday, she took part in the 100-meter speed walk and softball throw event -- she reports that she hurled the ball 46 feet, 8 inches.
Wearing pink shorts, a Twilight “New Moon” movie t-shirt, a baseball cap advertising Halifax, Nova Scotia, and white sneakers, O’Donoghue explains that she used to compete in running events until her knees “got tired.” But the Scituate resident who works in Pembroke wouldn’t miss her weekly Special Olympics practices.
“It keeps me fit,” she says.
Established about 35 years ago, Special Olympics of Scituate is one of the largest and oldest such organizations in the state, its volunteers say, and works with about 100 people with intellectual disabilities from about ten South Shore communities, including Hingham, Norwell, and Milton.
They offer include alpine skiing, power lifting, sailing, tennis, equestrian, volleyball, and bowling.
“The goal is to build confidence,” Callanan said.
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