Special Olympics Indiana

By: Kelly Ries

Tell us more about your organization?

Special Olympics Indiana is a nonprofit organization that is part of the global Special Olympics movement, using sport, health, education, and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities.

How does your organization support those in the special needs community?

Mission Statement – To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, offering 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.

The vision of Special Olympics Indiana is that sport will open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities and create inclusive communities across the state and throughout the world.

At the core, Special Olympics is a sports organization that uses the power of sport as a catalyst for social change. Through sport, we challenge society. By highlighting how the needs of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are not being met, we expose inequity and exclusion. By drawing attention to the gifts of people with ID, we break down misconceptions and tackle negative attitudes.

How can others get involved or support your organization?

Please contact our office at 317-328-2000 or at information@ soindiana.org if you would like to find out more about local programming in your county, or to get involved as a volunteer or sponsor.

Testimonials

“Today I have many good friends who seek me out and include me in activities inside and outside of school. I’ve become much healthier, earned varsity letters, and have built upon the confidence I gained from my peers to push forward making bigger goals beyond sports.” – Liam Price, Special Olympics Indiana athlete

Liam Price

“Being the parent of an athlete...I have watched many of the athletes grow through the years and I am inspired by them every time I volunteer for Special Olympics. I’m amazed at what they can and want to do and appreciate all they give me!” – Linda S. Boothe, Coordinator, Johnson County Special Olympics

Linda S. Boothe and Chelsea Davis

“As a parent of a person with disabilities I have as many concerns for his future as do parents of typically developing children but my concerns may be a bit different. For example, my son Sky needs more repetition of activities to gain certain skills. Teamwork is one of those skills. Special Olympics provides opportunities to gain those teamwork skills along with many others through participation in competitive sports. These are valuable skills sought by potential employers. The creation of lifelong friendships through Special Olympics [addresses] another concern of many parents. Unified Sports in the schools are making an impact in this regard. Students with and without disabilities are competing side by side and creating those friendships. One aspect of Special Olympics that I had never consciously considered is the opportunity to create networks and learn from other parents who have already navigated the ups and downs of raising children with disabilities. I can’t count how many calls I’ve made to parents I met through Special Olympics asking how to navigate one government system or another.” – Steve Simpson, Parent of Sky Simpson

Sky and Elizabeth

I don’t look at Special Olympics as receiving medals but going towards the next goal. – Hiawatha “H” Davis, athlete

Hiawatha “H” Davis

Do you run a non-profit? Would you like to be a part of the non-profit spotlight or nominate someone else to be in an upcoming issue of Special Needs Living? Email us at SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com.