Athletics and Intellectually Disabled

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that participating in athletics has proven to be beneficial to the intellectually disabled community in many ways. The writer notes that various organizations throughout the world encourage and promote the involvement of this population in such events. The athletes gain so much from their experiences and the community acknowledges their capabilities. The writer points out that mainstreaming of the disabled into the rest of society promotes the desire for understanding those that are different. The writer notes that there are many organizations that are striving to help the disabled community and are making advancements in society as a whole through their works with the intellectually disabled. The writer concludes that the athletes are obviously benefiting in many ways when they participate in these organizations.

From the Paper:

"Prior to the 1960s, intellectually disabled individuals were institutionalized and told that physical activity was damaging to them. That changed when President John F. Kennedy funded a program that tested the physical ability of the intellectually disabled. He was an advocate for this shift in belief because his own sister was of special needs and enjoyed sports. His other sister, Eunice, started having intellectually disabled individuals meet at her home to participate in sports and ever since then, it has become an ongoing belief that sports benefit the intellectually disabled community."
"Often times, the disabled can become isolated within society. People do not understand those with disabilities and often neglect to include them in on activities out of fearing the unknown. Through organizations, such as Special Olympics or Disability Challengers, the intellectually disabled are encouraged to participate in athletic and recreational activities. This helps boost the athletes self esteem and self-worth."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Disability Challengers. Challenger's Approach. Online 30 Nov 2007. http://www.disability-challengers.org/html/main.html
• Gaul, T.J. Is Special Olympics Right For You? Online 26 Nov 2007. www.sonh.org/news/gaul_project.pdf
• Pastorfield, Courtney Health Promotion Pilot Programs Evaluation: Improving Athletes' Health. 12 Dec 2005. Online. 27 Nov 2007. <www.specialolympics.org>.
• Sangden, C, et al. The effect of Special Olympics on school aged children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. 2001. Online. 27 Nov 2007. <http://www.ausport.gov.au/fulltext/2001/acsms/papers/SAND.pdf.>.
• Siperstein, Gary N. Changing Lives Through Sport - A Report Card on the Impact of Special Olympics. 2005. Online. 29 Nov 2007. www.specialolympics.org

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