Everything Under The Sun: Special Olympic Maryland Challenges Athletes And Volunteers

Maryland Special Olympics even has programs for the youngest athletes.

Just about everyone has heard of Special Olympics and may even be familiar with the world games and the national games. But Special Olympics also goes down to the State and local levels, bringing the good feelings, for those with intellectual challenges and their families, right down to the communities where they reside. Not only that, but various events occur throughout the year to help raise funds and offer opportunities for participation.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MARYLAND fulfills the role of bringing Special Olympics to Marylanders. That creates opportunities for a lot of participation. Two of Maryland's special athletes, Candace and Elaina, were highlighted for weight loss by utilizing a healthier lifestyle.

Candace chose a naturopathic diet, which is based on eating foods that are close to their natural states, and she has lost 23 pounds. She does admit that following the diet wasn't easy, since she was mainly eating salads, without any meat. In the long run, though, it may have been worth the effort, as she proclaimed, "That was hard, but at the same time I was happy with the results."

Elaina used the Weight Watchers system, along with exercising every day, and she has lost a total of 55 pounds. She pointed out, "I was at a point that I was happy, but I just wasn't that happy about how I felt about my body image." Not only was it about how she felt, but she also set a goal of being able to run a half marathon.

She also admitted that she was looking for a long term change, rather than a quick weight loss. In fact, Elaina also has recommendations for others who are trying to lose weight, "For any woman who is thinking undergoing a diet and wants good foods to eat and an exercise routine, don't listen to all those commercials because you never know - a lot of them tend to be a 'quick fix' or are more dangerous to you than they are good for you." It certainly looks like this young woman did her research with her health in mind. Candace also added her advice, for those attracted to extreme dieting or struggling with an eating disorder, "Stop dieting. Stop whatever you are doing to harm yourself and just live your life. Live your life to the fullest."

A young volunteer, Annie Dolan, had signed up to help with Over The Edge, an event in which volunteers and athletes rappel down the side of a 16-story building in Bethesda. She was given the assignment of belay, holding the ropes tense so that climbers who slip won't fall very far. It's an important assignment that keeps the event safe for participants. She was given safety training before the climbers started and learned how to clip the line caribiners to the ground and then clear them when the climber arrived on the ground.

Elaina (left), Candace (right), two young women who lost weight the healthy way.

Ms. Dolan was still surprised that she was given so much responsibility, but she drew on her experiences as a leader in her school career. She said, "As a leader that day I had to encourage the athletes to be brave and step off the edge and do what they had been taught while descending." But then the tables were turned when she was encouraged to take the descent herself. The same things that she had been doing for the athletes were done to keep her safe and secure. And when she got back on the ground, she received the same reception as she completed the activity, following the motto of the Special Olympics, "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."