People with intellectual disabilities, such as Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral palsy, Epilepsy and many more make up this organization. Through sports the organization raises awareness about intellectual disabilities, but most importantly it gives these individuals the opportunity to do something amazing.
They discover their strengths, abilities, skills and success. Plus they find joy, confidence and fulfillment because sports push them to be motivated and work towards a skill they didn’t know they had.
The organization puts these games together for these athletes, which is open to all ages from 8 year olds to adulthood. They are able to participate in a variety of 30 Olympic-style sports competitions and the money raised during the Polar Plunge makes this happen.
This weekend’s Polar plunge raised over $1.5 million for Special Olympics Chicago.