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| Tuesday, February 9, 2010 |
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Joe Jonas (l), Congressman David Price and Jennifer Wardlow (r) at the 2010 Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day.
“I just did my best to get my point across, “said Special Olympics NC athlete and Board Member Jennifer Wardlow of her meeting with US Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) .
And her message was heard loud and clear.
Wardlow, of Winston-Salem, was a part of the NC delegation to attend Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, Jan. 27. The delegation which consisted of Wardlow and athlete Kerry Hagner of Chapel Hill, athlete Todd Bass of Charlotte, SONC President/CEO Keith L. Fishburne, Sr. VP of Finance & Resource Development Olivia Laney, and SONC Board Member and Cabarrus County Local Coordinator Kelli Embler spent the day meeting with the 15 members of the NC Congressional Delegation to advocate for the passage of the 2010 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act.
The legislation will continue the legacy of the Special Olympics founder, by authorizing funds for specific programs supporting persons with intellectual disabilities in health, education and global program initiatives.
During Wardlow’s meeting with Senator Burr, he triggered a passionate response from her when he mentioned times are tough and money is not always easy to come by.
“I remembered Tim Shriver’s (Special Olympics Chairman) words of advice the night before, “ Wardlow said. “He said to remember, nobody knows tough like we do. So that’s what I told Senator Burr. People don’t understand how hard it is to live with an intellectual disability. You’re singled out in school and in society.
You don’t even always understand why you’re different. When I found Special Olympics, I finally understood and I found my purpose in life. Everyone has a disability of some sort.
So we don’t think as fast as you, we shouldn’t be treated any differently. We need to help society understand this. Special Olympics helps us tremendously both in sports and socially. I told him, we don’t have a choice regarding our disability but with this decision about funding you do have a choice.”
More...
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Special Olympics North Carolina is one of the largest volunteer
organizations in the state with more than 20,000 charity volunteers. Involving
more than 38,000 athletes who have intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics
North Carolina is one of the largest programs in the world. Special Olympics North Carolina offers training and competition
in 20 sports, including everything from Alpine skiing to volleyball. The Special
Olympics goal is to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities
through sport, by empowering them both on and off the field of play and bringing
them into the larger society where they are respected and accepted. Special Olympics
NC is a volunteer-driven organization. Whether you're interested in coaching athletes,
helping in fund raising, coordinating events, or just helping out in our office,
we have volunteer opportunities for just about everything. Special Olympics athletes
in North Carolina are never charged a fee to compete. All of their expenses, including
training, uniforms and other related costs, are paid for through generous donations
from individuals and businesses. Support Special Olympics North Carolina by making
a gift to one of our vital fundraising programs. North Carolina donations can
also be made online through our secure site.
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