Special Olympics

[Shoestring]

So.... I dont know if anyone on here knows but my little brother is mildly retarded and he competes in the WI special Olympics. Here in WI, Law Enforcement is a big supporter in the WI Special Olympics so it kinda is a cool deal for me to participate on both sides helping by volunteering and of course watching my little Brother.

So I was on their site tonight and this video is playing which I thought was awesome and thought I would share with my friends on here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdfPDuhrKQQ

[pgg]

Cool

[MacLean]

We do a special olympics fundraiser every year, and generate a ton of support.

I think LE in general is one of the special olympics biggest support bases.

[Retdetsgt]

We do a special olympics fundraiser every year, and generate a ton of support.

I think LE in general is one of the special olympics biggest support bases.

I think that's because most of our command are probably eligible to compete.....

Unfortunately, Oregon may not have one this year. Contributions are way down, probably due to the economy. It's a rotten shame if they have to cancel it.

[CTR man]

That almost sounds like Chris Burke. He played Corky Thatcher on the hit series "Life Goes On".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Burke_(actor)

Chris Burke featuring Joe &amp John DeMasi

Everyone deserves to feel special and important despite whatever problems that life has thrown at them.

My wife Kittylynn assists a disabled but beautiful young lady who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy in going to college. She is confined to an electric wheelchair and has very limited range of movement. About the only thing she can do is speak, think, and about 6" of movement in her hands. She wants to be a foreign language interpreter. Majoring in Chinese and a minor in Spanish. She is an A student. One of her Chinese teachers mentioned to the class that her best student wasn't of Asian descent. Never once have I heard of her complaining about her situation. The sweet spirit of this gentle angel certainly buoys me up when I am feeling down. I think we can all learn a lot from people with disabilities.

[Odd]

I think LE in general is one of the special olympics biggest support bases.

No doubt about that. The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the biggest fundraiser in addition to being a great pick-me-up for those who witness it. An idea started in Kansas in 1981 and adopted here in 85, it is supported by over 450 officers who volunteer their time to carry the torch on its 700 mile trek.

Very cool video, didn't see that end coming.

[srab]

Shoestring, a bunch of us participate in the Torch Run, and this year we're doing the Polar Bear plunge in Muskego. That's probably 1.5 hours drive from you. Our team name is Patyk's Heroes, on their website.

Stay Safe.

[ida40dj]

thanks for posting that. my son is autistic and loves it when he gets to go compete each year.

[Shoestring]

Shoestring, a bunch of us participate in the Torch Run, and this year we're doing the Polar Bear plunge in Muskego. That's probably 1.5 hours drive from you. Our team name is Patyk's Heroes, on their website.

Stay Safe.

I havent done that one yet, the one down here is a few days before I leave on my trip so I dont know if I will or will not yet.

I have volunteered a many events. The best one was a swim meet, I was in uniform handing out the metals. My uniform was completely soaked when finished because they like to hug when they are happy

Srab you ever work the softball throw at the State Games in Lacross in June? I couldnt this last year because my son was just born but I probably will be there this year

[Jenna]

Great surprise ending in the video! Good luck to your brother!

[Buttercup]

That is a great video, Shoestring!

I've been a volunteer with the Law Enforcement Torch Run segment of Special Olympics New Jersey for several years - at the Polar Bear Plunge (I do not plunge, I do other things ), the Games themselves, the Plane Pull, and the Lincoln Tunnel walk as well as other events throughout the year. There are a couple of NJ members here who have participated in some of those events as well.

Maclean is correct, law enforcement is a huge fundraising arm of the Special Olympics. The NJ group alone raised over 2 million dollars last year.

What sport does your brother compete in, Shoestring?

[Willowdared]

I used to volunteer for the Equestrian events when I lived in Houston.

[snuffy2202]

Awesome ending to the video. I was surprised, too. Good luck to your brother, Shoestring!

[2 Blue 4 U]

The Special Olympics is a great thing! Good luck to your little Brother, hope he does himself proud and of course the family too!

[Second Chance]

Good luck to your younger brother................of course like most departments we also have a Torch Run every year.

[Willowdared]

I just had ta post this one....it's a truck convoy for gosh sakes!

YouTube - World's Largest Truck Convoy for Special Olympics

I'm startin ta feel home sick, dontcha no!

[Shoestring]

Oh S.O. is cool. My brother competes in a whole lot of stuff. He has competed in Track n Field, Basket Ball, Power Lifting, Bowling. Now he mainly just does bowling and power lifting.

He has a lot of metals, does well, then he likes to brag to his big brother of how awesome he is and that the chicks dig him He is a hoot!

[srab]

Shoestring, I never did the softball throw. I'll make a point of it this year, and see if we can recruit some more guys for the trip. LaCrosse area is great. We started a small thing with the horses as well, the kids and adults love it. It's been hard to coordinate, but I hope we can get it set up again.

[Deputy Joe]

I organize the Cops vs. Athletes softball game each year with the local office. We play the Wisconsin state team. What a group of competitors. This last year we brought it to a field outside of Appleton and made a big deal out of it. It was on the nicest diamond I have seen. We had the press there and cops from about 10 different agencies. I can't wait for this year's game.

[srab]

Joe, that's awesome.