Sometimes, We Forget About Other People … The Lions Clubs International Never Forgets!
A personal account of the Lions Clubs International Annual Convention by Cynthia D. Bentley, Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete and International Global Messenger (Class of 2000-2002)
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Cindy Bentley, Special Olympics Wisconsin athlete and International Global Messenger (Class of 2000-2002). |
David Evangelista, from Special Olympics Inc. called and asked me if I would be willing to talk to Lions Clubs International members at their annual convention being held in July in Chicago, and thank them for being partners with Special Olympics in the Opening Eyes program. I was honored because I felt that they deserved to be thanked for all the time, effort, love and caring that they give to Special Olympics athletes all over the world. Without their help, many athletes who cannot afford an eye exam or glasses would not be able to see well enough to perform to the best of their abilities. In fact, in my own case, the exam provided by the Lions found that I had a condition with my eyes that we were able to correct because we caught it in time.
At breakfast the morning of my speech, I found out that I would be talking to 15,000 Lions Clubs members from all over the world. At first I was feeling very nervous!
When we got to the United Center where I was to give my speech, we met with more of the Lions Clubs volunteers who were going to help with the Opening Eyes screenings; I also had the opportunity to meet the Special Olympics Illinois (Chicago) staff and their athletes who were there to have their eyes checked. Then I gave a brief speech to open up the Opening Eyes screenings. While we waited around for the conference session to begin, I used that time to trade Opening Eyes pins with Lions Clubs members; I got a total of 55 of them from all over the world, and they're super! Then it was “Show Time!”
We were seated in the first row, reserved seating, and we listened to the President of Lions Clubs International [Jimmy Ross] who introduced Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver and gave him the Lions Clubs International Humanitarian of the Year award. Then I was asked to sit on the stage. When Tim started to talk about Special Olympics, I started to cry and got really nervous! But then I asked God to give me the strength to get up and give my speech to the Lions Clubs members who deserved the thank you because of their generosity and their kindness. I knew that I needed to do this speech and it could not come from Tim Shriver. It had to come from an athlete, and it had to come from my heart.
I got up, Tim Shriver introduced me, and I asked God to give me the strength to give me the right words and to do the best that I could, and God was with me the whole time that I gave my speech. I stood up straight and gave myself the confidence to do my best for the whole Special Olympics movement. Because I had never done a speech for 15,000 people, I felt honored, and I felt it was my duty as a Special Olympics athlete and a Global Messenger and a role model to other athletes, and because I took the oath of the Global Messenger, that I would do the best that I could do. Also, I remembered all my mentors, and also Mrs. Shriver, telling the athletes that we have the potential to do whatever we put our minds to do.
When I got up there and looked out at all the people, my stomach hurt, but I knew I had to give the speech. So I did the speech and received a standing ovation! I was happy to be off the stage when it was complete, and the first thing I did was to go to my chaperone Tom Pezzi; he gave me a high five and that made me feel good. I also thanked God for giving me the strength to give the speech. After the session, members of many Lions Clubs delegations wanted to get a picture of me, and some of them suggested that I join my local Lions Clubs organization. I think I'm going to do that!
I feel very honored that out of 2.5 million athletes, not only in Wisconsin (USA) but in the entire world, that I was chosen for this opportunity. In closing, I want to thank the Lions Clubs for all the caring, love and friendship they give Special Olympics athletes through the Opening Eyes program.
Editors Note:
As a member of the audience, I felt honored to be present as both Dr. Shriver and Cindy Bentley spoke. They both shared their stories from their hearts. As the audience listened, it was clear they understood what the partnership between Special Olympics and Lions Clubs really means.
Sandy Block
Return to Healthy Athletes Update, Summer 2007
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