The Special Ones

The Macau Special Olympics team recently participated in the World Games that took place in Los Angeles.
In the past, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of the Macau Special Olympics Golf Masters organised by the Charity Association of Macau Business Readers with the great co-ordination of Mr. Stefan Kuehn. In those events, I can assure readers that human beings that are said to be ‘normal’ most certainly got lessons from the so-called special ones.
The Macau LA delegation picked up a fistful of gold, silver and bronze medals. It is quite common to have stories of special people hidden from society; in events like these, they are exposed to their limitations and try to go beyond them. They meet people like themselves and have great experiences. It is good to understand that the limitations are indeed surpassed and that they are winners just for being present in an event like the World Games.
Some 6,500 athletes from 165 countries competed in 25 sports. For the good. But especially to make others understand that the most important thing in our short time on Earth is to take care of others. To inspire and set an example to our counterparts and to those whom we stupidly sometimes label rivals.
The feeling of inclusion was present; and it shall be present at all times. With almost half a million spectators, 2,000 coaches and 30,000 volunteers, I’m sure these World Games were a success.
The disabilities give way to the abilities of gifted people. People that do not see the world as others do but that are nevertheless happy. It is the second largest sporting event, after the Olympic Games. But in terms of feelings of the heart surely superior to those Mr. Coubertin has created.
The Macau athletes can show to the responsible persons of this Region that they are capable and that they must be supported. Not only for the events, but also in their daily lives, creating schools and demolishing the architectural barriers that they face across the city. With the support of the families and Associations that host them in different fields.
The 78 Macau athletes – and those that are not athletes but have such disabilities – shall receive continuous incentives from our government in order to reward their efforts for a better life. As persons such as Paul Pun, the head of the delegation, shall see, their associations give more than financial support to assist the real special ones who compete for the joy of being alive without receiving millions of dollars in return.