But if I can not win,
Let me be brave in the attempt.
Special Olympics = one amazing experience. There is something about attending one of these events to be inspired about true sportsmanship. Everyone is a winner. Everyone is excited about their results. What an honor to be part of it.
Practice with the special Olympics group has not been going that well. It is a bit overwhelming with lots of athletes practicing, it is at 7pm on a Friday night and Owen still hasn't quite mastered the ability to get out of the pool quick enough to get to the bathroom (enough said there). Jason and Owen attempted about 4 practices with the team before deciding a more controlled environment would be ideal for now.
The day of his first "area meet" came, we did not know what to expect, did not know how he would handle everything and just hoped for the best. He was one of the last groups to swim so it was a 2 hour wait for his turn. It was a good thing grandpa was there and his iPad was available to keep him entertained otherwise we would have been in some serious trouble.
The team's leader was great about giving Owen pep talks. Walking him through what he would be doing and reminding him to just do his best.
When it was his turn to "race" he was excited and had no fear. He hopped right in the pool and started swimming. It was a good thing Jason was close by to remind him to come back to the start line and wait for the horn. He swam hard. He stopped a few times to turn to find Jason to give him a thumbs up and then pushed forward again. In all the "practice" he has done, he has never done so well as he did that day.
He came in third but one of the competitors was disqualified so Owen actually took 2nd.
Standing on the podium, he wanted the tallest one...
Standing on the podium, he wanted the tallest one...
The competition.
So proud of his ribbon.
Teach me to SOAR and I will.
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