#57 He Supports SONJ

My brother, Jonathan, is one of the most incredible people I know.  Every year he participates in the Special Olympics of New Jersey's summer events.  It is a weekend filled with a variety of competitions quite unlike that seen in most sports arenas across America.

Maybe it's because they all hold true to the following creed:

"Let me win.  But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."  ~Special Olympics NJ

It began on Friday, June 8th, with Opening Ceremonies held at The College of New Jersey.

This is what the football field looked like when we got there:

After a little waiting, it transformed to this:

To help you better understand what waiting in the stands (on one of the hottest evenings so far this summer) looked like, I have a progression of three photos:

I love my family.

So, after wasting a lot of disc space taking wacky photos, the fun soon began.  The athletes were led in by the Pipes and Drums of the NJ DOC and the Port Authority Police.

Who were then followed by streams of officers.

Over 2,000 athletes then filled the field grouped according to their county.  This group in neon yellow is my particular favorite.  My little cutie is near the end of the line.

Take a close look.  I think he may have heard me screaming for him.

I had to get a shot of this group though.  The girl to the bottom right depicts the attitude of every athlete who competes in the summer games.

Then the torch bearers came.

And the cauldron was lit.

As great as they are, these pictures can't truly convey the overall feeling of the weekend.

The Special Olympics gives us all a chance to be the best version of ourselves that we possibly can be.

At the Special Olympics you are surrounded by those who do this daily: the athletes.  While the world might label them "intellectually disabled", these children and adults are happier and kinder than anyone I've ever met who is labeled "normal".

During the two days I spent at the Special Olympics, I found myself waiting a little more patiently.  I walked a little prouder.  I smiled a little more frequently.  I cheered a little louder.  I hugged those whose names I didn't even know and was more pleased with life than anywhere I've ever been on earth.

#49 He Does Something Extra

I can't believe I missed this, but it's better late than never.

March 21st was World Down Syndrome Day. This is the first year that the United Nations is recognizing this date. For me, for many, that is super exciting news.

My youngest brother, Jonathan, has Down syndrome. He is one of the best parts of my life, hands down. In fact, I might even say the best part of my life, but I don't want the other best parts of my life to get jealous.

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The National Down Syndrome Society is looking to raise awareness and support of individuals with Down syndrome. It's taken me some time, but I'm pretty sure this might also be part of my life calling. As I was growing up, my mom would tell me I should work with children with special needs. Upon such a notion I would instantly say no, explaining that it would simply be too emotional for me.

Maybe sometimes we need to grasp things that cause us to be emotional, rather than run away from them.

I'm a firm believer that God puts specific things in our lives for reasons unique to who we are as individuals. Jonathan is in my life because I needed him. In fact, I need him a lot more than he needs me.

Everyday I marvel at who he is becoming. As I try to mother him, I get smacked in the face with the realization of how independent he is learning to be. Each day I learn more and more about the way he thinks, I see how his brain works, and recognize that he has so much to say and give to the world if the world would only give him a chance.

When I introduce Jonathan to someone or talk about him to someone who does not know him, I recognize how limited the world's knowledge on individuals with Down syndrome is. One of the first questions people will ask is, "Does he talk?". A legitimate question indeed, considering there are those who cannot, but an unfair question due to the amount of individuals with Down syndrome who can. Yes, he can talk. He can talk a lot. But, you have to be patient and selfless in order to get the answers you want.

And when that happens, I realize that his abilities have the possibility to soar to amazing heights that I once thought unreachable.

And perhaps, in all this, my part is to spread the word. To make others aware of how awesome someone with Down syndrome can be, if you allow them to be.

(Jonathan at his Special Olympics swimming competition, March 2012.)