Special Olympian of the Week – Sarah
By Dan Samaria
Publisher/GCC
Nov. 14, 2009
Editor’s Note: There are a lot of God’s special children in this world that you need your help. After reading this article, it doesn’t make you want to get involved we don’t know what would.
We hope you will enjoy the story below:
We would like to know what you think. dan@younghronicle.com
By Special Olympics/PIO
Sarah is exuberant when she talks about Special Olympics. Born with Down
syndrome, Sarah has been in Special Olympics for four years. “My coaches have worked really hard. They have taught me how to start off, how to breathe, how to pace myself and how to blast through at the end of the race. I want to work harder to run faster. I want them to be proud of me.”
Sarah’s mother, Sue, was a lifeguard for Special Olympics when she was a university student. Little did she know how important that experience would become. “With Down syndrome, Sarah’s biggest challenge is that it sometimes takes her longer to process information.” Sue adds, “So Sarah keeps working to improve. She is very conscientious about being organized and finishing whatever she starts.”
A Closer Look
Sarah is in 7th grade at a middle school in Michigan. She plays the clarinet in the band and practices every day. Adam, her Jack Russell terrier, cries sometimes when she plays but she pretends he is singing. With Special Olympics, Sarah has competed and won medals in track, and this year she will learn bocce. When in training for track, she works with a Special Olympics coach three times a week and runs a mile every day in her neighborhood.
She tells us, “I push myself harder at Special Olympics and I have more fun. I am a runner! I want to do the best I can.”
As Sue Itoh tells us, “We have met so many wonderful people, coaches and athletes through Special Olympics. The best part is being with everyone.” Sarah adds, “I like people to cheer me on and to be proud of me. I smile a lot at Special Olympics.”
It feels good to run hard,” says Special Olympics athlete Sarah Itoh. “I never ran races before going to Special Olympics.”
Ready Set Go! “I push myself harder at Special Olympics and I have more fun,” says Special Olympics athlete Sarah Itoh.
Source: Special Olympics