Life lessons learned at the Special Olympics
A special privilege for the BRIO team
The BRIO team was fortunate enough to participate in the Special Olympics Spring event in Baton Rouge last weekend. While we were strictly there to volunteer, it was US who learned valuable life lessons from these exceptional athletes.
Valuable Life Lessons Learned:
1.) Don’t give up when it gets hard.
Life isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about giving your best effort and enjoying the ride. Some might say that these individuals have been dealt with a “tough hand”, but they don’t see it that way and neither should we. We can learn from these athletes who have to work harder for everything that they have. But they persevere through it all and they EARN their success and we should, too.
2.) Be grateful for your gifts.
It was truly awesome to watch these athletes, both children and adults, try their hardest regardless of the outcome. They weren’t concerned with winning, rather they enjoyed the competition and still “hugged it out” afterwards. No poor sports at this competition! It was so refreshing to see the positive attitudes and the larger-than-life smiles following each competition. They were truly grateful for their gifts.
3) Love others willingly and without reservation.
We witnessed genuine love and appreciation from this group. Their love is infectious and it does not discriminate. We should all strive to imitate their love for others and share their positive light.
It was amazing to watch these athletes find success in their effort, joy from the competition and cultivate friendships with other athletes from across Louisiana. But most importantly, they had fun and that is what it’s all about.
“Being a part of the Special Olympics event was truly a privilege for the BRIO team. It reminded us what is truly important in life,” said Rich Baudry.
A Special Kudos
Shout out to the BRIO team who volunteered their time to perform healthy athlete screens at the Special Olympics Spring event: Kevin Dessauer, Elliott Baudry (Rich’s son), Courtney Blanco (Rich’s niece), Eliza Miller (Jen’s daughter) and a team of physical therapists and therapy students. Kudos to the the event organizers: Brian Laird, Brock Banos, Katelyn Navarro, DPT, and Emilie Leslie, DPT.
About the Special Olympics Louisiana
The mission of Special Olympics Louisiana is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.If you are interested in donating to the Special Olympics, please CLICK HERE.