WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vt. Special Athletes Respond to President's Gaffe
Member Center:
Pomfret, Vermont - March 22, 2009
Abby Laframboise crossed the finish line on the cross-country ski trail at Suicide Six exhausted, but happy.
The 26-year-old athlete from Middlebury has been competing in Special Olympics for 18 years.
"Oh, believe me, it is fun, and I love Special Olympics!" she said. "It is my life."
She's one of 346 athletes competing in this year's Vermont Winter Games. Organizers said participation is up 30 percent over last year.
"These are medals that I got, first place and then second," said Joshua Beaupre of Burlington, showing off the hardware around his neck.
"I had a blast," Tammy Mashteare of Middlebury said.
Organizers attribute the popularity to outreach and increasing awareness of the Games. But they got some unexpected publicity Thursday night, when President Obama told Jay Leno his weak bowling skills were "like the Special Olympics or something."
"Of course, he didn't mean what he said, and unfortunately, that's what happens when people use words that are hurtful," said Nicole Dyhrman, director of marketing and development for Special Olympics Vermont. "They don't realize they are being hurtful to some people. And we're going to use it as a learning experience to teach everybody that words can hurt."
Special Olympics Vermont says these Games are not about disability -- but the ability to compete and achieve goals. And they counter a misperception many people hold.
"It makes us feel proud and respected. We're never respected usually in the community," Laframboise said. "I feel like sometimes we are, sometimes we aren't."
Dyhrman said the president's words suggest there is still more work to do. But Special Olympics is taking his comments as an opportunity for outreach.
"They're real people," she said. "You and I don't always interact directly with these athletes, and once you do, you realize they have heart and pride and joy and courage, everything you and I do in life, and it's wonderful to experience that."
"Treat us with respect and dignity, and treat us the way you would like to be treated," Laframboise said, moments before stepping to the podium to receive her award. She is proving to people she's got talents, and doesn't need a medal to have respect.
Kate Duffy - WCAX News
