The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Green Room in the Flin Flon Community Hall was recently taken over by Special Olympics Manitoba in an attempt to attract new volunteers to help with the Special Olympics in the area. Kelly Quigley, with Special Olympics Manitoba, was in Flin Flon not only to attract new people, but also connect with the ones who are already giving their time. ÒWe do the orientations,Ó says Quigley, Òto get people interested, but also general interest of what the Special Olympics are about.Ó The organization travels throughout the province and has stopped in Flin Flon a number of times now. And it seems to be working as there are a few volunteers in the area. ÒWe come here to see how we can help the volunteers,Ó says Quigley, noting that it is the volunteers who run the Special Olympics in Flin Flon. As for Quigley, she says itÕs the inspiration that keeps her involved with Special Olympics. ÒItÕs very inspiring to look around (and see) a group of people who give their time,Ó she says. ÒItÕs motivating to work with those who make (this) happen.Ó In Flin Flon, the special athletes are eligible to swim, bowl and curl. In an orientation video, which the volunteers watch, Special Olympics Manitoba says they are Òenriching the lives of Manitobans with an intellectual disability through active participation in sport.Ó Currently, there are 1,800 athletes in the province who take part in the Special Olympics, 30 of whom come from Flin Flon. A number of athletes were asked why they liked being a part of the Special Olympics and many said because without it, they would be sitting on the couch at home. Having the events for the athletes to participate in helps with good development, the video promoted. ÒAthletes participate to a level of choice,Ó it said. An athlete can bowl once a week, or they can choose to bowl in every tournament there is. It is up to the athlete. Special Olympics bring together intellectually disabled athletes, including some who are also physically disabled. ÒThere are some who have both,Ó says Quigley. ÒIÕm not an expert...but there are about 1,000 different diagnoses.Ó The Special Olympics are controversial to some people who wonder whether segregation of those with a disability is the right move. ÒWith an integrated sport, the athletes can experience the sport where many could not otherwise,Ó says Quigley. ÒWe encourage...athletes to games that are not special, like the Manitoba Games. ÒEven just to experience it,Óshe adds. ÒPeople with intellectual disabilities can be part of society. We want to encourage that involvement with the community.Ó
