New Avenue for Support in Myanmar Family members watch raptly as the Special Olympics video, Life in the Shadows, was shown during the first-ever Special Olympics Family Support Network Orientation Seminar. Special Olympics Myanmar (Burma) in Southeast Asia was eager to grow. But because the country has a limited number of special schools and a limited number of potential athletes from institutions, the question was how? The answer was families. In November 2004, 115 family members flocked to the first-ever Special Olympics Family Support Network Orientation Seminar in Yangon. When the Special Olympics video, Life in the Shadows, was shown, families sat spellbound, even though the video was in English and only 25 percent of those watching understood that language. The mere sight of individuals with intellectual disabilities cut across the highly conservative and restrictive Burmese culture. A show of hands revealed that 70 percent of parents did not have their children enrolled in special schools. Parents were eager to talk to one another and during the day’s workshop began networking with one another and sharing information with people from their own neighborhoods and different villages and towns. "There are only two small special schools in the entire city of Yangon, the nation's capital," said Troy Greisen, Acting Managing Director, Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Office, "and they are small, full and have massive waiting lists." Special Olympics Myanmar holds its first Sports Day with 150 athletes competing in athletics (50- and 100-meter dash, softball throw and standing long jump). The Sports Day took place at the Aung San Memorial stadium in Yangon. More than 50 volunteers and 150 parents supported this unprecedented event. One parent learned that a neighbor had a child with intellectual disability, something she didn’t know in all the time they were living close to each other. Another parent never imagined that the room would be filled with other parents with the same situation. A father saw a ray of hope from the video presentation despite the very little English he could understand. Emotions were stirred; handkerchiefs were drawn, underscoring how the orientation had affected parents’ outlook and attitude toward their children. The group was keen for follow-up action and nominated eight family leaders to meet with the Department of Social Welfare to recommend establishment of a Special Olympics Family Support Network and plan for future social activities. The Founding Committee of Special Olympics Myanmar also explored the possibility of a weekly training session at a local stadiumwhere children not attending special schools can practice athletics and bocce. In short order "Special Olympics Myanmar is no longer just exploring the possibility of providing training at the stadium, but now actually is," said Greisen, welcome news for Myanmar, where — as in many other countries worldwide — Special Olympics is often the only opportunity for activity, learning and friendship children and adults with intellectual disablities have. For more information on resources for family members and how your family can get involved, contact your local Special Olympics Program. To find a Program near you, use our Program Locator.