SPECIAL OLYMPICS 2012----JAMEKA GOLDEN

Since I was in elementary school I enjoyed to volunteer for the community. My dad works at a rehabilitation center so I would always go and volunteer when I did not have school. Being able to volunteer at a young age, I was able to partake in several experiences that has allowed me to humble myself and think outside the box when it comes to certain situations. 
In September of 2012, I had the privilege in volunteering for the Special Olympics in Mattoon, Illinois. The Special Olympics of Illinois mission is "Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities by giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community." This event always gives me great joy because it allows me to see the joy in other individuals. Some of the individuals that participated in the event were at a disadvantage because their disability did not allow them to partake in certain activities, but they were not discouraged at all. 
I was paired up with a man name Mikey who lives in the Coolidge home of CTF. Mikey showed to be in his late forties, early fifties. He could not articulate his words clearly but I understood when he needed to go to the bathroom or needed something to drink. Mikey was very active when it came to the activities. He was able to function on his own. Mikey showed to really enjoy himself, which I was happy about. At the end of the Olympics, every Olympian received a gold medal and when I put the medal around Mikey's neck, his eyes widened with excitement and then he jumped around and wanted to show his medal to everyone.
I really enjoyed volunteering at the Special Olympics. Not because it gave me several community service hours but because I was apart of several individuals life and was able to endure their excitement. Helping out with events like these allows me to get to know different people and know their stories. People with disabilities have so much life in them and I like to encourage them and let them know that they are like everyone else and they should not feel like they are less of a person because of their disability. Being able to participate in this experience has allowed me to understand other individuals story better. What I gained from this experience is to appreciate life no matter the struggles I am going through. I was not able to meet other professionals but with the experienced I was able to receive the knowledge of how to handle individuals with disabilities better. The experienced also allowed me to be around positive individuals.
The community service reflected how disabilities could take a toll on people. While volunteering with people who were disabled, also allowed me to see that if someone is unable to talk clearly, that does not mean they do not understand what you are saying. Their disability is just another part of them that does not define who they are as a person. The effect of this service activity allowed people of the community to know that there are individuals in their community that are willing to help them with special events as well as having positive people who are willing to uplift individuals, regardless of their background.