Disability and sports

~Week 15~  Disability and sports ~The Semester~      Looking back at the first day of classes I did not know much about this subject. I took this class because of that reason and was looking forward to learning about this topic. This semester, I have learned more than I thought I would. Starting at the beginning when we watched the ted talk by Stella Young "Im not Your Inspiration", there was so much I thought I didn't know. This ted talk opened my eyes to how to think about this topic and the people involved. I noticed I was one of those people that looked at others as inspiration, that's when I realized I had to change my mindset. I didn't realize what the athletes thought about the media representation that they receive. And how they do not get the same treatment as other sports. I soon realized how unfair the differences between the Olympics and Paralympics are. I never would have thought that athletes getting the same medals would have different values becaus

 Week 13  Organizations for Those with Visual Impairments  ~The Blind Sports Organization~       The Blind Sports Organization(BSO) located in Havertown PA, provides and advocates for sports, recreation, and fitness opportunities for the blind and visually impaired. The BSO is a non-profit that has been in existence since 1974. BSO athletes range from 7 to over 70 years old and also vary from totally blind to those who have a visual field of 20 degrees or less. Some participate in recreation and socialization, but others aim for world-class competition. Their volunteers are the organization's backbone, including sorority members, parents, friends, sports enthusiasts, PE students, and anyone wishing to help out. in 1974 Dr. Mae Davidow who was a blind teacher believed that the blind and visually impaired needed opportunities for physical fitness and social activities. She was nearly blind at age 10 as a result of spinal meningitis and mastoid surgery. She spent a lot of time organiz

~Special Olympics~ ~What are the Special Olympics?      The Special Olympics is a global organization that promotes inclusion, understanding, and acceptance among people with and without intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1968, the Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities opportunities to realize their potential and develop physical fitness. Everyone involved strives together for excellence, appreciation, joy, friendship, and courage. The Special Olympics' mission is to provide year-round training and athletic competition for a variety of Olympic-type sports for kids and adults who have intellectual disabilities.  To be eligible for the Special Olympics you must be at least eight years old and identified by a professional for intellectual visibility, cognitive delays, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay. There is also a Special Olympics young athletes program that is created for children with intellectual disabilities ages