"Special Olympics provides an opportunity for the family to do things together, whether it's a victory dance, dinner, training session, competition or fundraiser."
— Frank Dashnaw, Sr.
"Looking back on this, I don't think any of us had a clue what we were getting into," says Frank Dashnaw, Sr., reflecting on his initial involvement in Special Olympics. That sentiment reflects the feelings of many Special Olympics supporters whose first experiences in the movement led to deeper, more fulfilling roles as volunteers. More than 35 years ago, Dashnaw embarked on a commitment to the movement that would touch his family in unexpected ways and would last the rest of his life.
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A Special Olympics family for more than 35 years: from left, Lance, Frank Sr. and Frank (Frankie) Dashnaw Jr. |
In 1967, when he was a high-school student in Washington, D.C., USA, Dashnaw was one of several young people who volunteered to help teach swimming to institutionalized people with mental retardation in the city. Why? "I was asked," Dashnaw recalls. "We all eagerly agreed, basically without question."
Dashnaw met Special Olympics Founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver at one of the swim sessions, and she invited him to help as a swimming coach at a day camp for people with mental retardation at her home (a precursor to Special Olympics).
Several years after Dashnaw began his volunteer career with Special Olympics, his son, Frank, Jr., was born with mental retardation. Having seen what people with mental disabilities were capable of doing, Dashnaw figured that he had a future Special Olympics star in the family.
Frank Dashnaw, Jr., now 28, has been training and competing in Special Olympics for more than 10 years. He has won gold medals in speed skating, softball, and swimming (including the gold medal for speed skating at the 1993 Special Olympics World Winter games in Austria), and says that his favorite Special Olympics moments are the ones he shares with his family.
"With my dad coaching and brothers Chris and Lance on the playing field it was more fun," says Dashnaw. "It doesn't matter if we win or lose but I get to spend time with my friends and family!" Dashnaw's brother, Lance, a Special Olympics Unified Sports® partner, credits Special Olympics with helping to strengthen family ties. "I enjoy training and competing alongside special people like my older brother Frank," he says.
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Frankie Dashnaw hard at work at Special Olympics headquarters |
Dashnaw, Sr. continues to volunteer with Special Olympics. "Special Olympics provides an opportunity for the family to do things together, whether it's a victory dance, dinner, training session, competition or fundraiser," he says.
Continuing his family's deep involvement with the movement, Dashnaw, Jr., now works in the Information Technology Department at Special Olympics headquarters. When he reminisces about the day he won the gold in 1993, he proudly says, "I was a part of history." When asked if Special Olympics has changed his life, with a smile he replies, "Of course."
The Dashnaw family has made a difference at Special Olympics and participating in the movement together has had a significant impact on the family as well. "We like team sports and competing together," says Dashnaw Jr. "We train together, win together, and sometimes lose together. But the important thing is, we're doing it together." |
