Since I am already an insider, I feel as though I know what to expect when visiting the Special Olympics in Delaware County. However, I do hope to gain some new knowledge that I do not have now. For example, I hope to talk to the athletes about their personal experiences with the team and see how it has changed their lives. I also hope to find out about the origins of the group, especially in the county, and what the leaders feel are some of the problems within the larger organization.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Week 2
The culture/subculture that I picked is the Special Olympics. A potential fieldsite may be at Northview Middle School, the YMCA, or a local bowling alley. If the fieldsite is at Northview Middle School, it will be familiar to me, as I have already been there. The school is about a fifteen minute walk from my dorm. The grass is not fresh and green. Most of it is dying. The track is a bouncy black walking surface. The breeze feels refreshing in your hair and on your face, although I imagine that in the dead of winter, it would not feel so liberating. If it takes place in a bowling alley, I expect it to smell like feet and grease, be swelteringly hot, and like most of the other bowling alleys I have visited. However, the sports the athletes compete in vary with the season, so although it may be one of these locations, it could also be one that I am not informed about. Regardless of the fieldsite, I expect to enjoy immersing myself in the culture that I love.
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I would suggest visiting more then one special olympic team. Is there another team in your home town? Or could you visit another sport such as swimming or something of the sort? I am interested to hear what your sensory details of the spring or summer will be.
ReplyDelete-Chelsea Parker
Hi Jenna! I'm curious why you like the Special Olympics? What triggered your interest in the Special Olympics? Do you plan on majoring in special education or anything like that? I would find it extremely difficult to research this subculture because I would never want to offend the athletes by asking certain questions and such. I admire your will to research the Special Olympics :) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAshley Wilson
I think this is a great topic. I think that many dont think about special olypics but I think it should be something people should know more about. I think getting all the differnet perspectives from the coaches to the athletes will get the full spectrum of the sport.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is such a great topic for you to do!! A lot of people don't know much about the special olympics but it's a really neat program! The athletes will feel so happy that you're there not to mention, I can only think great things when you go to this event! We had them at my high school back home and the event was on the front page of the school newspaper. I really admire your research idea! : ] Good luck.
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