StettlerLocal.com on September 28, 2023 at 8:20 pm
Lyndsey Delwo believes all children deserve the chance to be an athlete.
Delwo, a local Realtor, is bringing the Special Olympics experience to Stettler.
"We are starting with bowling this fall," she says. "From there we would love to start swimming and/or softball."
The Canadian Special Olympics is a program that promotes an active and healthy lifestyle through sports.
"We continue to improve and expand the quality, opportunity and accessibility of sport to individuals with an intellectual disability," says the Special Olympics website. "Along with this, we strive to improve upon both the awareness and support of the community in regards to Special Olympics Canada and those involved with us."
Delwo and her husband, Jason, have been involved with the Special Olympics for several years.
"Our oldest son, Lonny, has Down Syndrome," she explains. "We started volunteering with Camrose Special Olympics about a year after he was born. Jason and I both joined the board where we held different positions over the years. From there we started the 'Active Start - Special Olympics' program that was geared towards the younger athletes."
The Special Olympics movement began in Chicago in the late 1960s, but it was University of Toronto sport scientist, Dr. Frank Hayden, who provided inspiration with his scientific research.
"Dr. Hayden’s research was nothing short of groundbreaking," says the Special Olympics website. "It challenged the prevailing mindset of the day – one that claimed that it was the disability itself that prevented children from fully participating in play and recreation... Dr. Hayden proved that it was simply a lack of opportunity to participate."
Delwo has seen firsthand the benefits of the program.
"The Special Olympics experience fills a critical need in the lives of people with disabilities by proving opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and the demonstration of competence to themselves, their families, and community," she says.
Delwo says it's a tremendous opportunity for families, as well as volunteers and donors, to become part of a unique and caring community.
If you'd like to get involved, you can contact Delwo through the Special Olympics Stettler Facebook page.
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