I just witnessed the most awesome thing...

[cherokeeprogressive]

Last night my city played host to a couple busloads of Special Olympians. This morning when they were leaving they were escorted by every vehicle in the valley that had lights and a siren. Traffic was at a standstill and motorists were standing outside their cars and waving.

It was loud and it was Special. As I stood next to my truck I realized someone nearby must have been slicing onions. Thank goodness the lady standing next to me had tissues.

Sometimes the world doesn't suck. It totally set the tone for the rest of my day.

[tularetom]

1. Special Olympics is the best thing ever!!

If you really want to feel good about humanity, attend one of their events. I have a close relative who has devoted almost every spare moment for the past 15 years to coaching and mentoring Special Olympians and he has talked me into coming out and watching some of their games/tournaments:thumbsup

There's none of the bickering, parental involvement, and prima donna treatment that's come to be associated with kid's sports. Just young people who are overjoyed at the opportunity to participate. Even the parents are way cooler.

There are so many worthy charities with their hand out anymore and I can't print enough money for all of them. But in spite of my meager resources I always try to find a few bucks for Special Olympics.

[antiquie]

2. Thank goodness. The debacle in LA was very sad.

Last edited Fri Jul 24, 2015, 02:44 PM - Edit history (1)

A transportation nightmare left more than a thousand Special Olympic athletes and coaches stranded and sleeping on a basketball court at a college campus Tuesday night, a disappointing welcome to the U.S. for people who had traveled thousands of miles to compete in the games.

As a result, more than 1,500 delegates were forced to sleep on the floor of Gersten Pavilion at Loyola Marymount University.

The athletes' luggage was dropped off in a parking lot across campus, leaving some athletes without their baggage, medicine, or food. story

[jtuck004]

8. "Athletes from 165 countries" < Later, in an international security discussion, the U.S. ambassador

talks about the strength and security we bring to the table, and has no clue why the people in that country begins laughing into their hands, or suddenly act like they no longer trust us.

Shortsighted.

[dhill926]

3. Very cool…

[lpbk2713]

4. Outstanding.

That made it really special and something they will remember always.

[brer cat]

5. Those kids work hard

and they deserve the special send-off.

[Raster]

6. BRAVO!

[sufrommich]

7. That is very awesome. nt

[jtuck004]

9. Thank you for sharing that. n/t

[DeeDeeNY]

10. Thanks for sharing

My special son has participated in many Special Olympics and it is always a beautiful event.

[mmonk]

11. Thanks for that. One of my sons was in special olympics when he was a child.

[Cracklin Charlie]

12. I used to volunteer at Special Olympic events...

Those were some of the most joyful hours that I ever spent.

Thanks for sharing your special moment!

[pnwmom]

13. I'm smiling now, too, just thinking about that. Thanks for sharing!

[cherokeeprogressive]

15. I talked to a couple Fire Fighters and a Deputy this afternoon about it.

After the athletes had breakfast this morning, they were kept inside while the emergency vehicles were staging. When everything was in place the athletes came outside to board the buses. I'm told their reaction was priceless and there were very few dry eyes, even among the Sheriff's Deputies.

One young girl was having a bad day from the very beginning, and wasn't impressed with the escort at all. I guess she was cranky from the moment she woke up and was pretty agitated. One of the Fire Fighters gave her his fireman's hardhat and heavy yellow jacket. Gave them to her. Then one of the guys in the city's biggest firetruck took her on his lap and let her have the PA microphone as they were going out of town. She started singing.

The guy who gave the little girl his gear is a "paid call firefighter" which is to say he's not a regular employee but is on-call and trying to get on with Cal Fire. Word was going around among those who participated in the impromptu parade that he's going to be surprised with a full-time position soon as payback for his gesture. How cool is that?

The best part for me... the Deputy could hardly get through a sentence without getting a hitch in his breath and laughing because he was embarrassed his emotions were getting the better of him.

[pnwmom]

16. What a story, cherokeeprogressive. Thanks for sharing it.

I think you should add it to your OP.

[cherokeeprogressive]

17. LOL no it was mine. n/t

[pnwmom]

18. Yeah I don't know what I was doing there. Better go eat some dinner!

[artislife]

14. wonderful. ...nt

[LiberalElite]

19. Special Olympics is today's Google Doodle -

http://observer.com/2015/07/todays-google-doodle-celebrates-the-special-olympics-world-games/

[Novara]

20. This just made my day too!