It Starts with Special

How do you define special? Do you look at the word positively or negatively? Why is it that we use words to hurt and minimalize people? As you may know, Special Olympics campaigned against the “R” word several years ago as people with intellectual disabilities spoke out about how the word had been used to bully, abuse, and hurt people.

Special Olympics has launched a campaign to help people redefine how they look at the word special. So how does Special Olympics define the word Special? “Exceptionally great. Important. Unique. Special is something to strive for. The ultimate compliment. A word we can all hope to be called. Not the things we cannot do. But all the things that we can do.”

Would you say Sidney Crosby has special skills? How about Babe Ruth? Terry Bradshaw? How about Madison “Maddog” Madory? You may not be familiar with her name but she is 4 feet 6 inches of power. She has trained as a powerlifter. She can deadlift 1.5 times her body weight, bench press eighty pounds, and squat eighty-eight pounds. She has taken on a leadership role in Special Olympics. How about Joshua Olds? He has been in Special Olympics for 7 years and has completed seventeen triathlons.

Special should not be seen as less than. Special speaks of being amazing. We should all strive to be special. What are you working towards or striving for today that you or others see as special? If you are not currently doing anything to feel exceptional, today I challenge you to find your special.

For more information about the Special Olympics campaign, visit https://www.imspecial.org/.

All Photos Courtesy of Special Olympics