Susie Enos

Susie told the following story to more than 200 guests at Special Olympics 2010 Celebrity Winterfest.

When I was born, my mom and dad were so happy.  They had two sons and were so glad to have a baby girl.  But their happiness was short-lived when they found out that I had Down syndrome.  Forty one years ago when I was born, people did not talk much about such things, and it never occurred to my mom and dad that they would not have a perfect baby like everyone else. 

It was not uncommon for people like me to be placed in institutions to live out their lives.  My mom and dad did not know much about Down Syndrome, and they were scared of what lay ahead.  But the one thing they knew for sure was that they would take me home and do the best they could for me. 

It was not long before my mom and dad realized that their fear had turned to love and that I was perfect just the way I was.  Now they say that I am the best thing that ever happened to them and they are very proud of me!

One of the best things that ever happened in my life was getting involved in Special Olympics.  It is so important to me.  I have been involved for so many years, it seems like I have been in Special Olympics all my life.  When I was young there were not many activities for special needs kids.  I did not have many friends of my own and spent most of my time with my family.  I saw other kids with friends and wanted to have friends too. 

The minute I joined Special Olympics, my whole world changed.  For the first time, I was accepted just the way I was! Nobody made fun of me.  Nobody called me "stupid" or "retard".  Now people called me Champion, Athlete, Hero and Friend. The coaches made me feel welcome and part of a team.  I’ve met so many wonderful people, and now I have wonderful friends of my own.

People think that Special Olympics is a one-day track meet.  In fact, until this weekend, some of you in this room may have been one of those people.  But it is so much more.  Special Olympics is not about who can ski the fastest or hit the ball the farthest.  It is about having the chance to do your best and for respecting each other’s efforts.  Special Olympics is training for life. 

Special Olympics has taught me to always do my best and be a good team player.  I have learned to encourage others and always show good sportsmanship.  I have learned to never doubt myself, even when others may.  All these lessons have made me a good athlete but more importantly they have helped me to be a good employee and a valuable member of the community.

Special Olympics has proven to be the Civil Rights movement for people like me.  As Eunice Kennedy Shriver said, we have earned the right to play on any playing field, we have earned the right to go to any school, we have earned the right to hold a job and we have earned the right to be your neighbor. 

Now the next time you see me or one of my friends sitting alone, you will sit down beside us when no one else will.  Now the next time you see me standing in line at a store you will not look away and pretend I am not there, but will say “Hi!”   You will not be afraid to be my friend.  Now the next time you hear the word retard, you will remember me.  The next time you hear the R-word you will think of us and know that when we hear that word, we hear it differently. 

Some of you who are here this weekend probably did not know a thing about Special Olympics.  But now you do.  Now you know that we enjoy the same things you do, we like to go out with friends, we like going to movies and watching sports but most importantly we want to be respected and accepted just the way we are.  We hope we have changed your life like Special Olympics has changed ours.   As you have heard many times, Special Olympics does all of this for FREE.   No one does anything for FREE anymore but Special Olympics is still determined to be free to all and never turn an athlete away. 

Being an athlete is a very big and important part of our lives.  We couldn’t do it without your support.  I am so proud to call you my friends.  When you go home after this wonderful weekend, please remember the words of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and be the next generation of champions for people like me.  On behalf of Special Olympics athletes from Northern California and Nevada – thank you for caring and making such a difference in our lives!