Week 8

There is a current theme that I see not only in my field site, but in my research as well. The theme seems to be that organized activities, such as the Special Olympics, are positive community activities for those with special needs to be involved with. Through spending their time at these organizations, participants seem to have a higher self esteem, better health, and a more positive outlook on their personal situation. Talking this idea through with some of the athletes at the Special Olympics has not been easy. Many of the athletes are unable to understand the questions, and I feel as though interviewing them and using their answers as part of my research could be ethically immoral. However, the parents and families of the athletes have agreed with the idea that the Special Olympics has been a positive way to keep their family member physically active, involved within the community and interacting with their peers, both disabled and non-disabled. My place in my subculture has not changed in many ways. However, in some ways, it has. When I first began my fieldwork, I was an insider in the subculture of the Special Olympics. I volunteered regularly and had fostered some relationships with the athletes. Because I now volunteer also as part of this assignment, I have become more observant and gained insight into the community. Before I viewed the Special Olympics as something to enhance my resumé  and a good way for me to gain hands-on knowledge of my major. Now I realize that the Special Olympics has given me much more than I could ever give back to it. The Special Olympics has taught me to look in each person and seek their strengths, instead of their weaknesses. It has also helped me to view those with disabilities as people just like me. Their disabilities stop them from doing nothing; instead it only alters the way in which they do certain activities. I have grown in my relationships with the athletes and been able to access their emotions more than I had in the past. By talking with them, I have come to realize what they value, how they think and what they believe in. Eight weeks ago I was a volunteer at the Special Olympics. Now, I am a friend, a mentor, an athlete, and an advocate for people with disabilities.