Sometimes you are going to have to bang on the table. Sometimes you will not be very popular when you are trying to teach people in the community. People will get angry with you. But you have to work hard for what you want. — Vicki Oren, Israel Global Family Leaders Global Family Leaders, Inaugural Class Mohamed Abdouni, Special Olympics Lebanon Sandy Hembd, Special Olympics Colorado (USA) Patricia Hickey, Special Olympics Ireland Margaret Mbithi, Special Olympics Kenya Cecelia Britez de Olmedo, Special Olympics Paraguay Tan Ruyan, Special Olympics China Carolina Zuppa, Special Olympics Italy Global Family Leaders, 2005-2007 Class Vojka Cakici, Special Olympics Slovenia Hemant Goswami, Special Olympics Bharat (India) Bao Meiqin, Special Olympics China Reina Perez, Special Olympics Honduras Donna Willms, Special Olympics Canada Special Olympics Global Family Leaders are instrumental in making Special Olympics a success for everyone involved. Global Family Leaders promote, educate and inform families, Special Olympics Programs and the community about the mission, philosophy and benefits of the movement. Family members of a Special Olympics athlete are eligible to become Global Family Leaders. Simply participate in Special Olympics and share a commitment to the mission and philosophy of Special Olympics; enthusiasm for the movement; and dedication to the development of Global Family Initiatives. Special Olympics Global Family Leaders have summed up their commitment to the movement in the following declaration: The Global Family Leaders' Declaration to Change the World: As Special Olympics Global Family Leaders, WE BELIEVE that any society aspiring to be just must value the ideas, skills and contributions of all of its members, including people with intellectual disability. Intellectual disabilities transcend race, gender, religion, national origin, geography and political philosophy.      WE RECOGNIZE that through sports training and competition, people with intellectual disabilities are inspiring examples for hope, dignity and courage.      WE COMMIT to understand, respect and value all individuals, to improve attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities and to create real opportunities for and with them in friendship, education, employment, self-advocacy, health care and sports participation.      WE PLEDGE to focus our efforts on developing family support through our leadership and devotion to the belief that there will come a day when the families of those with intellectual disabilities can hold their heads high throughout their community, throughout their country and throughout the entire world.         • Download Adobe PDF (117K) version of Global Family Leaders' Declaration to Change the World to print or e-mail. The Inaugural Class of Global Family Leaders Mohammed Abdouni Mohammed Abdouni, Special Olympics Lebanon As the father of Special Olympics Lebanon athlete Hala Abdouni, General Mohammed Abdouni is not only active in his nation's Program, but also serves on the Regional Advisory Council and heads the Family Committee. With the help of the Lebanese army, Abdouni has helped to support the Program's facilities for more than 10 years. Through active involvement in his local and regional schools in Beirut, Abdouni would like to extend the Family Support Network and develop bridges between all people. Sandy Hembd Sandy Hembd, Special Olympics Colorado (USA) As the mother of twin Special Olympics athletes, Mike and Mark, Sandy Hembd has been involved at all levels of Special Olympics for over 28 years. She began in California where she developed California's Spirit Team. Hembd then went on to work at Special Olympics headquarters, where she helped write, produce, and launch Athletes for Outreach, which was the precursor to the International Global Messengers. Her current involvement is with Special Olympics Colorado, where she has served on the Program's Board and as coordinator for the Family Support Network. In addition to her many activities in support of Special Olympics, Hembd is also working to develop a residential community for adults with developmental disabilities. Patricia Hickey Patricia Hickey, Special Olympics Ireland Patricia Hickey first became involved with the Special Olympics in 1995 when she and her twin boys, Stephen and David, started a Special Olympics program on their own. In November of 2003 the club will celebrate its ninth birthday and now consists of fourteen athletes and their families. Hickey served as a member of the Board of Directors and National Families Committee for Special Olympics Ireland. As a Global Family Leader, Hickey worked to promote the Family Support Network and help the Special Olympics movement reach out to more families of children with mental disabilities. Hickey is involved in numerous other organizations in Ireland that help to facilitate awareness and support for people with mental disabilities. "Special Olympics has an important role to play in early intervention where a child has just been diagnosed with a learning disability," said Hickey. "The program can support the parents and child in a positive manner especially at a time when negativity seems to prevail." Margaret Mbithi Margaret Mbithi, Special Olympics Kenya For the past six years, Kenya's Margaret Mbithi has been involved with Special Olympics Kenya on behalf of her nephew, 25-year-old Salim Twalib, who competes in the 400m and 200m athletic events. Active in her community and readily addressing the topic of people with intellectual disabilities, Mbithi has served as a coach and an inspiring leader for Special Olympics athletes. In 2003 she became a Global Family Leader and attended the 2003 World Games in Dublin, Ireland. As a Global Family Leader, Mbithi spent time traveling around Africa talking with families about Special Olympics, working to change their attitudes about people with intellectual disabilities. Mbithi used the fact that her students won a gold and silver medal at the 2003 World Games, as a recruitment tool to bring more athletes into her program, and to increase awareness among families of the importance of supporting their athletes. Following her role as a Global Family Leader, Mbithi plans to continue coaching and participating in sports activities, as well as continuing her work of recruiting more families into Special Olympics. Cecelia Britez de Olmedo Cecelia Britez de Olmedo, Special Olympics Paraguay Cecilia Britez de Olmedo is the mother of Diego Olmedo, who has competed in cycling, roller-skating and currently tennis. She began her involvement with Special Olympics Paraguay in 1995. Olmedo has participated in many different organizations in Paraguay that advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. She is an active member in developing a family structure in Paraguay that will be able to reach out to the entire country. As a Global Family Leader, Olmedo uses Public Relations, information sharing, and education to promote the Family Support Network and bring more families to the Special Olympics movement. "Participation of families in the life of the athletes is critical," said Olmedo, "because they feel more safe knowing that they are in the company of their loved ones." Tan Ruyan Tan Ruyan, Special Olympics China China's Tan Ruyan, the father of athlete Tianzhe, has been involved with Special Olympics China since September 2002. He became a Global Family Leader in 2003 and attended World Games in Dublin, Ireland. In his two years as a Global Family Leader, Tan found that information about Special Olympics could best be spread by utilizing established support groups and organizations within the community. His efforts have resulted in greater awareness and enthusiasm throughout the country as China prepares for the 2007 World Summer Games. Through his service, Tan realized that Special Olympics China lacked a focus on adults with intellectual disabilities, and has made strides to reach out. As Tan's tenure as a Global Family Leader comes to a close, he plans to spend much of his time helping China prepare for 2007 World Games, and to continue foster support for the Special Olympics families. Carolina Zuppa Carolina Zuppa, Special Olympics Italy Zuppa and her family have been involved with Special Olympics since her brother, Fabio, joined Italy's program in 1984. Since 1995, Zuppa has served as Special Olympics Italy's Family Coordinator. In 2003 Carolina became a Global Family Leader and attended the 2003 World Games in Dublin, Ireland. Since becoming a Global Family Leader, Zuppa was instrumental in organizing the Europe/Eurasia Regional Family Forum. Throughout her term she continually worked to share the joy and pride inherent in being a Special Olympics family member. Zuppa's plans for the future include continued involvement in Special Olympics Italy, and further support for Special Olympics family programs around the world. The 2005-2007 Class of Global Family Leaders Vojka Cakici Vojka Cakici, Special Olympics Slovenia Vojka Cakici is the mother of Special Olympics Slovenia athlete Albert Cakici, who is 26 years old and competes in swimming. Cakici, her son, and her husband became involved with Special Olympics 13 years ago when Albert was 13 years old. Since that time, Cakici and her entire family have witnessed Albert grow into a determined and independent person. She and her husband both worked to start a Family Support Network in Slovenia and have both attended numerous regional trainings and forums. Cakici hopes to share the benefits of Special Olympics with other families throughout her region and the entire world. Hemant Goswami Hemant Goswami, Special Olympics Bharat Hemant Goswami is relatively new to Special Olympics but his experience with other family programs will prove to be a valuable asset to Special Olympics Bharat as they work to develop their family program. Goswami is the father of 18 year-old Special Olympics athlete Mohit Goswami. Goswami actively participates in the organization in India known as PARIVAAR - a support network for families of people with intellectual disabilities. After attending a Family Support Network training in 2004, Goswami became interested in developing a Family Support Network in India and his work shows great promise for the growth and development of Special Olympics Bharat. Bao Meiqin Bao Meiqin, Special Olympics China China's Bao Meiqin is the mother of Special Olympics Athlete Xu Chuang. Since 2002 Bao has provided critical support in the development the Family Support Network in China. She is currently the Leader of the East Asia, Shanghai Regional Family Support Network. Her efforts to spread the spirit of Special Olympics to other families has helped to foster greater understanding within the schools, communities, and other families. As a Global Family Leader, Bao hopes to teach families in China not to be ashamed of their children with intellectual disabilities and that Special Olympics offers growth and development of athletes as well as their families. Reina Perez Reina Perez, Special Olympics Honduras Reina Perez is the mother of 28 year-old athlete Milagro de Jesus Rojas Perez, who competes in bowling. Perez began volunteering for Special Olympics in 1980 and has since been involved as a parent, volunteer, and Regional Family Leader. Through those 24 years of experience, Perez came to realize the valuable role that families play in Special Olympics and has dedicated significant amounts of time and tireless energy to enhancing support for Special Olympics Families. Donna Willms Donna Willms, Special Olympics Canada Canada's Donna Willms is the mother of two Special Olympics Athletes, Kelsey Wyse and Ben Willms. Her involvement with Special Olympics began in 1997. Since that time, she has been active in areas such as competition organization, chaperoning, coaching, and other Special Olympics events in Canada. Willms has also made significant contributions to athlete recruitment through her various efforts to persuade other families of those with intellectual disabilities to become involved with Special Olympics. "Through Special Olympics, families with children with intellectual disabilities are empowered and supported to see that their children achieve all that they can be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually," said Willms.