Special Olympics West Hawaii

NOTE: This profile is part of a weekly series intended to show the hearts and guts of Special Olympics West Hawaii participants. It is also a chance to get to know each other better. Readers will hopefully gain a better appreciation and knowledge of what each athlete, coach, volunteer, family member, friend or supporter brings to the organization. Enjoy!

Name: Isaiah Wong
Age: 17
Hometown: Kailua-Kona

What sports and activities do you participate in with Special Olympics West Hawaii?
My first sport was bowling. This Spring, I’m training in two sports I’ve never tried before: powerlifting and track & field.

What activity do you like most and why?
Powerlifting because I am growing my muscles.

What have you learned through SOWH or gained from being part of a team?
That I can meet new people and make new friends.

Why did you join SOWH?
I joined because others told my parents that since I bowl for fun, I should join SOWH for the chance to compete.

How long have you been with SOWH?
I have been an SOWH athlete since 2003.

What is the best part about participating with Special Olympics?
I like competition. I get to be with friends every time I go to practice. It’s also a chance to meet regular people — people without disabilities who care enough to be with me.

Do you have any hobbies or activities that you like to do during your free time?
I like Disney movies, drawing and taking pictures. I love fishing from the shoreline or from the boat, swimming, cookouts and get-togethers.

Who is your favorite professional athlete or role model and why?
My uncle Kelvin because he is cool.

Share an accomplishment — something you’re proud of.
I am proud of working with the Honokohau National Park Rangers when I go out on CBI (Community Based Instruction) there.

What goal do you hope to accomplish in 2009?
I want to be able to make more friends.

Favorite pitch, swim stroke or sports technique/move? Why?
The “squat” in powerlifting. I just learned it and it’s fun.

Additional remarks from grandparents Warren and Eva Wong:
Isaiah is very serious about sports and is willing to put in the effort it takes for him to do his best. His father has a home gym and has been helping him learn to use weights, but now he is excited that he will get to compete. He went out for track this Spring also and discovered he is a fast runner. He likes the 50m sprint.

Notes from long-time SOWH volunteer Nikki Cleintuar:
In Special Olympics, an athlete must be at least 16 years of age to be eligible to train and compete in powerlifting. Isaiah has the potential to become an award winning lifter.
His SOWH coach, Denise Lindsey is herself a state record-holding competitive lifter. With her many years as a Special Olympics certified coach and extensive experience in training athletes with and without disabilities, Isaiah is receiving the first-rate mentoring he needs to excel in the sport.

Hawaii Preparatory Academy, in partnership with Special Olympics Hawaii, is hosting a Fun Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.

The event will be held at HPA’s Stanford W. Shutes Track, located at the school’s Upper Campus.

The Fun Day features events for every fitness level — from the serious athlete to beginners. Participants can register for the following events: 50m Dash, 100m Dash, 200m Dash, Softball Throw, Shot Put Throw, 100m Assisted Walk, Bocce Ball, Standing Long Jump, and Running Long Jump.

The Fun Day is open to pre-registered athletes, their families, and supporters. Athletes who would like to participate in the free event can register by contacting Dana Petteys at dpetteys@hpa.edu.

Most people don’t think of the word “retard” as hate speech, but that’s exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends. Using “retard” as a term of derision is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur.

Spread the Word to End the Word will raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the R-word and encourage people to pledge to stop using it. America will be asked to declare their support for more respectful and inclusive language, specifically that referring to those with intellectual disabilities.

Created by young people with and without intellectual disabilities, Spread the Word to End the Word is one element of Special Olympics’ vision of a world where everyone matters, where everyone is accepted and, most importantly, where everyone is valued. Leading the way in promoting acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics opposes prejudice and discrimination, continuously working to dispel the negative stereotypes associated with this population — the use of the R-word being one such stereotype. In a world that has worked to eliminate pejorative racial and ethnic language such as the “N word,” among others, the R-word is gaining popularity.

On March 31, young people across the country will lead local efforts to raise awareness and collect pledges on www.r-word.org from peers and the community to vow not to use the R-word. Actor and activist John C. McGinley, of the hit show “Scrubs,” is helping with this effort by making national media appearances on behalf of the campaign.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
— Send Special Olympics your plans to Spread the Word at r-word@specialolympics.org.
— Take the R-word pledge to not use the word “retard” as a put-down at www.r-word.org.

Commentary from a Spread the Word supporter:

Hi, I’m John C. McGinley. I’m an ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society, and today I’m teaming up with Special Olympics to bring you a message that’s important to me.

So many times in life you are asked to change … Change your clothes. Change lanes. Change jobs. Change the sheets. Change flights. Change your tune. Change horses midstream. Change your latitudes and your attitudes!

Change, and the ability to adapt, is to the human condition as air is to the lungs. We change, and in the doing, we thrive!

In fact, we just elected a president who promised, above all else, to “change.”

What if, on March 31, you elected to change the way you use the words “retard” and “retarded?”

Hardly seems like the largest of sacrifices. Not when you consider the changes in language that you have, so willingly, already elected to integrate into your vernacular. You no longer use the words nigger, or kike, or faggot, or jap, or kraut, or mick, or wop.

Why would you? Why on earth would you? Those are all words that hurt. Those are all racial and ethnic slurs and epithets that perpetuate negative stigmas. They are painful! And that is not okay. It is wrong to pain people with your language. Especially, when you have already been made aware of your oral transgression’s impact.

Make no mistake about it: WORDS DO HURT! And when you pepper your speak with “retard” and “retarded,” you are spreading hurt. So stop it. Stop saying “retard” and “retarded.” Those words suck! You are better than that and you definitely do not need to be “that guy.”

There is no longer any acceptable occasion to lace your dialogue with the words “retard” and “retarded.” Without fail, those words are the stuff of hurt. They, straight up, are. So, stop it! Stop using the “R-word.”

The 7 million people with intellectual disabilities (around the planet) who are on the receiving end of this hate speak are genetically designed to love unconditionally. These “retards” are NEVER going to return your vitriol. Ever! So what could possibly be the up-side of continuing to use the “R-word” in your daily discourse?

We love you. We do!

And, just in case you missed it and you need an extra hug? We love you!
You do not need to love us in any kind of reciprocal fashion. You don’t. (It’s not that kind of bargain.)

But, how about on March 31, you elect to change? A word? Two stinkin’ syllables?

Official statement issued March 20 from Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver regarding U.S. President Barack Obama’s comment on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno

“President Obama called last night and expressed his regret and he apologized. He said that he did not intend to humiliate Special Olympics athletes or people with intellectual disabilities. He was sincere and heartfelt, and said that he is a fan of our movement and is ready to work with our athletes to make the United States a more accepting and welcoming country for all people with special needs.

“Words hurt and words matter. Words can cause pain and result in stereotypes that are unfair and damaging to people with intellectual disabilities. And using ‘Special Olympics’ in a negative or derogatory context can be a humiliating put-down to people with special needs.

“This is a teachable moment for our country. We are asking young people, parents and leaders from all walks of life to engage in conversation and help dispel negative caricatures about people with intellectual disabilities. We believe that it’s only through open conversation and dialogue about how stereotypes can cause pain that we can begin to work together to create communities of acceptance and inclusion for all.

“Special Olympics is not a program, but a worldwide movement operating 30,000 events a year in more than 180 countries. Every one of them is a chance for people of all ages to get involved, to think differently about attitudes and perceptions they may have about people with intellectual disabilities, and to make a difference.

“And so we challenge people to join our ‘Spread the Word to End the Word’ campaign, a youth-led national awareness effort that will launch on March 31, where we are asking people to pledge their respect for people with special needs. We’re asking people to sign our ‘R-word’ pledge, to join in our Unified Sports programs, to volunteer, and to be fans of our athletes and our movement.

“Additionally, we challenge policy leaders at all levels to commit to improving the support and resources for people with intellectual disabilities in areas such as healthcare, education, housing and recreation.

“Finally, we invite the President to take the lead and consider hiring a Special Olympics athlete to work in the White House. In so doing, he could help end misperceptions about the talents and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities, and demonstrate their dignity and value to the world.”

NOTE: This profile is part of a weekly series intended to show the hearts and guts of Special Olympics West Hawaii participants. It is also a chance to get to know each other better. Readers will hopefully gain a better appreciation and knowledge of what each athlete, coach, volunteer, family member, friend or supporter brings to the organization. Enjoy!

Name: Quentin Wong
Age: 17
Hometown: Kailua-Kona

What sports and activities do you participate in with Special Olympics West Hawaii?
My winter sport is bowling. This Spring, I’m training in two sports I’ve never tried before: softball and track & field.

What activity do you like most and why?
Right now, I’m having fun learning to play softball. It’s not so easy. There is a lot to learn!

What have you learned through SOWH or gained from being part of a team?
I have learned that it’s a good place to make new friends. My family has always enjoyed bowling together and with unified bowling, we could still be a team! We practiced and competed with other West Hawaii teams and I made a lot of new friends.

Why did you join SOWH?
Other people thought I was a pretty good bowler and they encouraged me to join.

How long have you been with SOWH?
I have been an SOWH athlete since 2003.

What is the best part about participating with Special Olympics?
I like to be active and competitive. I always do my best. I especially enjoy doing sports with friends.

Do you have any hobbies or activities that you like to do during your free time?
I like Disney movies. Some favorites are Jungle Book and The Lion King. I like Jurassic Park too. I draw and trace characters from movies. I collect action figures. I love going to the beach, swimming, cookouts, getting together with family and friends.

Share an accomplishment — something you’re proud of.
In 2007, I was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. But it’s in remission now.

What goal do you hope to accomplish in 2009?
I want very much to become a good softball player.

Favorite pitch, swim stroke or sports technique/move? Why?
I am playing softball for the first time in my life. Right now I’m busy learning all the basics, but I do like batting a lot. I like slow pitches. I think I can be a really good hitter if I practice enough.

Additional remarks from family members:
Quentin is easy going and takes everything life throws at him in stride. His bout with cancer was very tough, but since he is better and able to get back out doing the things he enjoys. It almost seems he has forgotten about his illness. He is just busy living each day to the fullest.
Quentin and his twin brother Isaiah are first and foremost typical teenage boys that possessed of an amazing amount of energy and enthusiasm for life. They like to spend time with friends. They get bored when they get stuck waiting with nothing interesting to do. They are strong, athletic, very competitive (especially with one another) and love sports of all kinds.

Notes from long-time SOWH volunteer Nikki Cleintuar:
If you ask Quentin and Isaiah what it is like being twins, they might wonder: “Twins? As compared to what?” Being twins, along with all the joys and challenges that come with it, is simply a fact of life to them.
Having autism is another fact of life for these boys, but if it imposes any limitations upon their lives, they (with excellent support from their close knit, loving family) find alternative solutions and get on with the business of life.
For example, both boys are non-verbal but have good receptive language. They began learning sign language at an early age and communicate fluently with others who know how to sign, but for everyone else, they are good at writing notes or using assistive technology – a handheld computer that “speaks” messages they’ve typed on the keyboard. Their grandfather reports that they are becoming really fast typists!

The Hawaii Police Department and volunteers will carry the “Flame of Hope” through the streets of Kailua-Kona in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the athletes of Special Olympics West Hawaii. This event, known as the “Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics,” is a tradition in the law enforcement community around the world.

On Saturday, April 11, the officers and supporters will be in Kona for the West Hawaii Torch Run. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Old Kona Airport Park. The “Flame of Hope” will be carried from the park to Hale Halawai via Kuakini Highway, Palani Road and Alii Drive. At Hale Halawai, the torch runners will turn around and return to the park.

Police officers will be directing traffic at the intersections of Kuakini Highway/Palani Road and Kopiki Street/Palani Road.

The Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run is a coordinated project of the Hawaii Police Department and Special Olympics Hawaii. The Torch Run was created in 1981 by Chief Richard Lamunyon of Wichita, Kansas, who, along with a couple of deputies, ran the first torch run for Special Olympics. The torch is now carried by law enforcement officers — referred to as “Guardians of the Flame” — in every state and in more than 40 other countries. This International Torch Run, which lost money in 1981, raised more than $32 million world wide in 2008. In Hawaii, the torch run is named after fallen Honolulu Police Officer Troy Barboza, who volunteered as a Special Olympics coach and participated in the first Torch Run in Hawaii.

To participate in the Torch Run or make a donation to SOWH, call 326-4646. Ask for Detective Walter Ah Mow at extension 238, Detective Renee Morinaka at extension 301, or Sergeant Rollin Rabara at extension 315.

Those who make donations of $20 or more will receive a free commemorative 2009 Troy Barboza/First Hawaiian Bank Law Enforcement Torch Run T-shirt or tank top. (A $25 donation entitles the donor to a long-sleeved shirt or one in XXXL size).