Dear ASB Charleston friends and family,
THE SUN CAME OUT TODAY!!!!!!!!!
Today we started our day off waking up at 5:45 in the morning, more commonly know as the crack of dawn. After sleeping in chilly weather (47 degrees) we were quite sluggish at waking up, but we needed to get to work with the Area 6 Special Olympics Track Meet. After a hour and half trip across the City of Charleston, a stop at Dunkin’ Donuts, and a quick trip to Walmart, we were ready to work this event.
Upon arriving we met up with Suzie, our event coordinator , and made the course for the young athletes events. Young athletes included children between the ages of three and seven. We set up various obstacles such as a balance beam, soccer kick, bean bag toss, and more.
Before opening ceremony we talked with Suzie about the Special Olympics Program. The organization started in the 1960’s with the first track meet in Chicago with one thousand athletes. Today the Special Olympics is in multiple countries and has a whole lot more than a thousand athletes. What was really amazing about the Special Olympics is that it is more than just sports events; at Special Olympic events there are health screenings as well. Suzie told us that this has helped many athletes with problems that their parents were unaware of like needing glasses, proper footwear, and dental care. We found it amazing that the organization really focuses on the overall health of their athletes. One thing that really stuck out was that Suzie informed us that these athletes were to be referred to as people with an intellectual disability. She explained the reasoning behind this; these athletes do no want to be defined by the disabilities in which they are faced with everyday. After this discussion we started the games!
We attempted to coordinate ourselves in attempt to give 75 young athletes the best time we possibly could. After about an hour and a half or so of running the activities; we spent the rest of our time handing out lunches to other volunteers, sweating and dancing in Olympic Town with the athletes, and giving our contact information to strangers. Post-games we began our expedition back to the campsite in Edisto Beach.
Our first plan of action at camp was to acquire hygiene, considering most of us had not showered in a couple days. But before that, a few members of the gang decided swimming in the ocean would be a terrific idea. Upon entering the icy waters that have claimed many-a-sailor; many regrets were had.
After a quick stop at the local Piggly-Wiggly to grab groceries and fire wood, (all the wood on the ground is saturated) we then started our Iron Chef-esque preparing techniques of all the bell peppers, onions, and chicken noms that would end up in our bellies. A little improvising and a lot of burned digits later, we were fat and happy. But not nearly fat enough as the crew ventured out for frozen dairy delights.
Right now we are at the gas station where we just got ice cream. We are about to go back to the campsite to make friendship bracelets (because we’re a big happy family and we love one another!) and since we’re on spring break (aka not dieting) we’re making S’MORES! Tomorrow we are waking up super early and doing adaptive gardening as well as meeting up with some College of Charleston students. Stay tuned for more updates! :-)
Love,
The CharleSTUNNERS.
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