“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.” 

Wardlow, the daughter of two ministers, left a lasting impression.  Senator Burr’s response was that he would make sure they found the money!   North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan and the 13 members of the House of Representatives:  Sue Myrick -9th District, Heath Schuler – 11th District, Mel Watt -12th District, Howard Coble-6th District, Larry Kissell - 8th District, David Price -4h District, Walter Jones -3rd District, Virginia Foxx – 5th District, Mike McIntyre – 7th District, Brad Miller – 13th District, G.K. Butterfield -1st District, Bob Etheridge – 2nd District; were all very receptive to the SONC delegation and their request for support.
 
The SONC delegation was joined in its meeting with Congressman David Price  by Joe Jonas, international recording star (Jonas Brothers) who was there to show his support for Special Olympics.  Wednesday morning, Todd Bass, Keith Fishburne and Olivia Laney took part in a Fun Run with Jonas and 10-time Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis, who also attended to show his support.  Wardlow co-emceed a reception with Lewis on Wednesday night to wrap up Capitol Hill Day. 
“I feel like it was a very, very good trip,” said Wardlow.  “I know for certain NC accomplished what we wanted.”