Words can be destructive weapons or affirming gifts by George Srour Ryan Atkinson (left) raises an issue at a question-and-answer session with former South African President Nelson Mandela (seated, right) at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland. For more Special Olympics athlete profiles, please visit Meet our Athletes. When Nelson Mandela takes time out of his schedule to meet with you and offer some words of wisdom, "you'd better listen up," says Special Olympics Alaska (USA) athlete Ryan Atkinson. Atkinson had the chance to do just that, meeting Mandela and Quincy Jones in a televised forum during the 2003 Global Youth Summit. Sitting alongside Special Olympics athletes from all over the world, Atkinson poignantly remembers Mandela's charge to the Summit attendees. "He [Mandela] told us that we could change ourselves," Atkinson recalls. "After I came back to Alaska, I made a way bigger change in my life." "People at school know that I'm different...but now I'm helping people realize that they can learn something from me too.      "I hear people telling me, 'you're changing attitudes,' and that's better than anything I can imagine. I want people all around the world to know that it's not OK to tease people." Ryan Atkinson, Special Olympics Alaska athlete That change came on the heels of what Atkinson describes as the unhappiest years of his life. Frequently the brunt of jokes and negative stereotypes issued by peers, Atkinson developed a number of tactics to dodge harassment, ultimately leading to less time in the classroom. "I would play sick sometimes because I'd be worried about being made fun of. They'd [other students] come around calling me 'fish lips,' and other names. I just used to cry because I was so worried about what people would say to me." That's when Atkinson gave Special Olympics a try. In 2000, Atkinson won the gold medal in his first-ever bowling competition. The "shocker" of medaling in his first competition gave him some motivation not only to become more involved in local Special Olympics events, but to get others involved too. "Special Olympics helped change my outlook," Atkinson admits. "It started to help me build friendships with people who respected me." Ryan Atkinson, second from right (next to former U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige) is pictured with his Youth Summit partner Angela Wegscheider (left) at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The purpose of a Youth Summit is to bring together 10-20 youth pairs, ranging from ages 12 to 17. Each pair is composed of one Special Olympics athlete and one partner without an intellectual disabilities who, together, serve as delegates representing their school, community, state/province or nation.      In 2004 Wegscheider won a President's Volunteer Service Award. At the time she attended Robert Service High School in Anchorage, Alaska, USA, and due to her efforts, her school's Partner Club also won the award. Through those friendships grew a self-confidence that has helped make Atkinson a rather well-known figure in his community. Atkinson has delivered a number of speeches to schools and local community groups. Seldom do teachers or students walk by without acknowledging "the guy they've seen talking about Special Olympics." "I go around, I give speeches, and now some of my friends have gotten involved in Special Olympics," Atkinson maintains. "I've been blessed by Special Olympics, and it has helped me do things for other people too." While Atkinson relishes the opportunity to share his experiences with fellow students and teachers, he also enjoys imparting a perspective central to the challenge he received from Mandela. "People at school know that I'm different...but now I'm helping people realize that they can learn something from me too." When Atkinson isn't out in the community competing or speaking on behalf of Special Olympics, he can be found tweaking his remote control motor car or out on the slopes enjoying a ski run. While both are a fun escape amid schoolwork and the busy schedule he keeps, a few words from a stranger have the power to make his day more so than any pastime. "I hear people telling me, 'you're changing attitudes,' and that's better than anything I can imagine," Atkinson explained. "I want people all around the world to know that it's not OK to tease people." With "those bad days" well behind him, Atkinson's message will continue to be heard, both near and far. Return to main Celebrating Growth page   George Srour, a Special Olympics volunteer, is a senior at William and Mary College in Virginia, USA.