Special Olympics Великобритания спортшы көшбасшы, Niall Guite ол - табысты суретші, кәсіпкер, қорғаушы және велошабандоз, ал оның TCS London Marathon-дағы соңғы жеңісін айтпағанның өзінде! Алғашқы Special Olympics Еуропалық отбасылар апталығы, supported by Lions Clubs International Foundation және Samuel Family Foundation, Michelle Guite, Niall’s mother және lifelong supporter, reflects on the transformative journey that Niall және олардың family have been on in recent years. Through Niall’s determination және his involvement in Special Olympics, he has demonstrated және nurtured hidden skills, capabilities және interests, on және off the sports track. This has brought about a profound change in perspective және new realisations, not only for Niall, but for his family, longtime friends және wider community.
How has Special Olympics impacted you as a parent, және your wider family?
I think that Special Olympics made me focus on being brave және encouraging Niall to do the same. At the beginning, Niall was very reluctant to try anything new. Having something to work towards, like a competition, which meant travelling without us және staying away from home, for me, was a really positive thing. It meant that I challenged Niall to practise his sport және meet new people. I realised that in doing so it helped reduce his anxieties in other areas of his life too. It helped that he already knew his жаттықтырушы және felt comfortable. Jazz [Niall’s жаттықтырушы] was confident, energetic және fun but crucially was keen to get the support right for each athlete.
Отбасы ретінде біз оның қабілетті екенін және өзгеріс болуы үшін оны ынталандыру қажет екенін түсіне бастадық деп ойлаймын. Найалл өзінің шынайы қабілеттерін көрсете бастағанда, оны өмір бойы білетін достары оның дағдылары мен қабілеттеріне шын жүректен таңғалды және оның мұншалықты қабілетті екенін білмегендерін айтты. Бұл олардың бәріне деген көзқарасын қайта қарауына әсер еткенін білемін: ешкім қоғамнан тыс қалмауы керек, бәріміз көрінуге және қадір-құрметпен қаралуға лайықпыз.
Біздің тәжірибеміз және Найаллдың талпыныстары көптеген отбасыларға үміт пен өз адамының неге қызығатынын табуға жол ашты. Іс-шараларда бейтаныс адамдардың келіп, Найалл олардың баласының болашағына үміт бергенін тікелей айтуы - таңғаларлық нәрсе.
In your opinion, what are the challenges that Special Olympics can or currently does help families to address?
Special Olympics helps to support athletes to cope with so many things, the development of skills in sport are just the tip of the iceberg. Niall’s life has improved immeasurably in my opinion due to his involvement. He will always find communication difficult but his attitude towards the challenge is so different, he now sees the opportunities және works hard to overcome his difficulties in order to be heard және sees himself in such a positive light now.
Physical challenges can be daunting but if they are wrapped up in fun, sport және meeting people, then they don't seem so bad. Niall has learned that practise makes everything easier және that spills out into so many aspects of his life, his cooking, writing. Trying anything үшін first time, he knows will mean some failures but ultimately if he gets something right then things will improve with time және effort. The sense of community және friendship is such a gift to us all және means that he is no longer isolated in his community but also means that he tries to make friends in other areas of his life, which I don't think would have happened before. He now has something to say about himself; people are interested in his story, және he is proud of his achievements. Special Olympics is good at amplifying athletes' voices және increasing awareness of learning disability және creating a positive narrative for society to see және hear.
How important is the involvement of families in Special Olympics, alongside athletes?
Family involvement in Special Olympics can feel difficult, particularly with a busy family және often extra appointments that may come along for a child with a disability. However I have only ever found community, support және opportunity whilst engaging with others to have better life experiences for our children.
Although life can be hectic, I would recommend that everyone gets involved where they can, whatever that looks like, from the obvious one of жаттықтыру, to keeping the accounts, social media, secretary, safeguarding, helping to fundraise, hall booking, putting kit away. They are all essential elements in making a club successful және gives back so much more to you және your family. Being around other family members is also a great support network, және you learn so much from other people, their challenges және олардың successes. Ultimately, you get a ringside seat to seeing so much joy және improvement in people's lives және that is such a privilege және humbling to see. We support one another және cheer on all the athletes in everything that they go on to do.
