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Special Olympics Southern California athletes Patricia and Pepe pause for a photo with Amy Walker, a Mattel® employee (red shirt), and her boyfriend, Ryan Gleason, who volunteered at the 2006 Special Olympics Southern California Winter Championships. In 2005 Mattel launched a partnership with Special Olympics that included the launch of Team Mattel, a stellar example of employee volunteerism — thousands of Mattel employees around the world dedicate their time and energy to ensuring local Special Olympic events are meaningful experiences. [Photo by Deborah Dicochea] |
On Sunday, 19 March 2006, athletes, coaches, family, friends and volunteers from across California (USA) joined together to participate in and celebrate the annual Special Olympics Southern California Winter Championships at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo. As a first-time volunteer, I was unsure of what to expect. I had never done something like this before, but I was curious to see what Special Olympics was all about. When I look back, I can say this experience has helped open my eyes to a simple, wholehearted way of life.
I helped out in the Special Olympics Village — an area where the athletes could participate in a number of fun activities, games or events prior to, or after, competing on the ice. The Special Olympics Village was joyful and stress-free. People were coming and going all day, getting to know one another and sharing this great time. There was a sense of happiness that was contagious. It was a sports arena full of so many people with the same goal in mind, to contribute to the goodness of all mankind.
When I spoke with the athletes and got to know them, I sensed a great amount of enthusiasm and spirit. This was something I had never witnessed before at any other competition or event in my life. These athletes were not there just to compete and beat out someone else and prove to the world that they were “number one.” They did not think about how they were going to impress the person next to them or how badly they wanted to win that medal. To them, taking home a third-place medal was just as good as taking home a first-place medal or no medal at all. They were at this competition to put in an honest effort, which in return happened to change the way I think about a lot of things. I realized that life isn't all that bad and happiness is really the first-place prize. These emotions were what touched my heart and mind with great magnitude. This made me realize how much time and energy I spend sweating the small stuff…like how I am going to tackle the workload ahead of me; what am I going to eat in the cafeteria; and where will I get the money to cover that bill. In these moments, I can feel stressed, overwhelmed or frustrated; but when you sit back and think about it, is it all that bad? No, it isn't, none of this means anything if you are not experiencing happiness every day, the happiness and gratitude that Special Olympics athletes experience.
This day, I had the pleasure of being surrounded by people who are happy with what they are given and enjoy each minute for what it is worth. They appreciate life and the person next to them. They enjoy complimenting one another and congratulating one another on just being themselves. This is what I admired most. I can only hope that I can be as strong and happy as they are one day. My first experience was a special one, providing a life-long impact. I do not think I could ever have met such a great group of people anywhere else. That day I, too, felt like an athlete and, yes, I brought home a gold medal.
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