Let the light of Special Olympics illuminate more "special families"

On October 23, Special Olympics athlete Qiang Xudong (first from left) from Shanxi participated in a Special Olympics youth integration exchange event with his fusion partner Liu Yangmingrui.

"I like to come to Shaanxi to participate in events. Before, I didn't dare to talk to people, but this time I recited "Man Jiang Hong" to everyone, and I memorized it for more than a month! Qiang Xudong, from Shanxi, is 16 years old and is an intellectually disabled person. Liu Yangmingrui, his integration partner, was invited to Shaanxi to participate in the Special Olympics Youth Integration and Exchange Activity, which made Qiang Xudong, who has always been shy, feel particularly excited and curious.

On October 24, representatives of intellectually disabled youth from all over the country and their integration partners took the stage at the Special Olympics Youth Integration And Exchange Event. Poetry recitations, solos, hip-hop performances... The bright smiles on the faces of these children with intellectual disabilities are as warm as the sunshine, and the efforts and self-confidence they show on the stage are deeply more deeply moved by everyone on the scene.

Wei Wei, a 22-year-old special education teacher in Liuzhou, Guangxi Province, accompanied 12-year-old Yang Zhenyu to Shaanxi as an integration partner to participate in the Special Olympics Youth Integration Exchange Activity. "Being able to go out of the house and see the wider world is important for children with intellectual disabilities like Yang Zhenyu." In the past five or six days in Shaanxi, he has made several new friends from all over the country. His happiness is written on his face. Looking at Yang Zhenyu, who was performing street dance to his friends, Wei Wei also smiled very happily.

Special Olympics Parent Exchange Activities and Special Olympics Youth Integration Activities have attracted much attention during previous Special Olympics Programs. From October 21st to 24th, while the Special Olympics Youth Integration and Exchange Activities were being held at the Special Olympics, Special Olympics parent leaders from all over the country also gathered in Baoji to share Special Olympics stories, exchange successful experiences in participating in Special Olympics, contribute to the future development of Special Olympics, popularize special Olympics sports, and promote the spirit of Special Olympics.

Ms. Liu Yan from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is an admirable Special Olympics parent. Her daughter Wang Mengting is a "Tang Baby". In 2002, at the age of 11, Wang Mengting won a gold medal in her first Special Olympics, which greatly encouraged the children.

Healthier, more confident, more sunny, more willing to socialize... Seeing the positive changes that have taken place in her daughter, Liu Yan has since embarked on the road of accompanying her daughter to participate in the Special Olympics movement. This walk is 19 years.

"At first, I just wanted her to participate in exercise and improve her physical fitness, but I didn't expect that Special Olympics gave me a bigger surprise and even changed the fate of our family." Liu Yan said, "For those of us who are special families, the most feared thing is that there is no hope. And Special Olympics is the light that can lead us to hope. Because of Special Olympics, my daughter is healthy now, and our family's happiness index is also very high. I am extremely proud of my status as 'Dream Mother'. ”

A Special Olympics parent told the story of their and their children's participation in the Special Olympics Movement with their true feelings, sharing their mental journey and successful experience along the way. The atmosphere is warm, sunny and full of positive energy. "In this parent exchange activity, I gained a lot, and also used the book to write down a lot of good ways and tips for correctly communicating with children, helping children grow, and guiding children to integrate into social life." In the future, I would also like to share these experiences with other Special Olympics parents who were not able to attend the event. Ms. Zhou Li, a local Special Olympics parent in Baoji City, said with deep feelings.

Yao Baohua, a staff member of the China Sports Management Center for the Disabled, said: "Getting out of the house and trying bravely is crucial for people with intellectual disabilities. The reason why Special Olympics is vigorously promoted around the world is not only because it has a significant effect on improving the physical fitness and intellectual level of the intellectually disabled, but also helps the intellectually disabled to gain understanding, recognition and respect, form the spiritual qualities of self-esteem, self-reliance and self-improvement, so as to better integrate into social life. We hope that more and more people with intellectual disabilities will go out of their homes and participate in the Special Olympics movement. (Reporter Zhang Jiangzhouwen/Photo)