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Mrs. Sarah Brown, spouse of UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, met with athletes and Unified Sports partners at Special Olympics headquarters, including (left-right) Viltis Palubinskas and Natalie Mills from Paul VI Catholic School, Fairfax, Virgnia, and Shaima Almofadhi from George Marshall High School, Fairfax, Virginia. (All photos courtesy Ryan Eades) |
Between a visit to the White House and meetings with the U.S. Presidential candidates, Mrs. Sarah Brown, wife of United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown, made time for Special Olympics, a movement that she feels is important. Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver welcomed Mrs. Brown to its headquarters in Washington D.C., on 17 April for a special briefing on the movement's international education and awareness initiatives that are sweeping the globe.
Mrs. Brown participated in a lively discussion with educators and youth, both with and without intellectual disabilities, about the challenges they face in today's society and the progress they are making in changing attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities in their respective communities. With a specific interest in helping the Special Olympics program in the United Kingdom, Mrs. Brown challenged the students to educate her about tactics and programs that work in their own schools to bring people with and without intellectual disabilities together for Special Olympics activities.
Sierra Seaborne, Youth Leader and Unified Sports® Partner from John Marshall High School in Richmond, Virginia, started the conversation by pointing out, “It starts with one person. Just me helping my partner. Then, it's spreading the word and telling my friends about it.”
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Special Olympics athlete and headquarters employee Terrel Limerick (right), presents a commemorative gift to Mrs. Sarah Brown during her visit to Special Olympics headquarters. Looking on are Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver (blue tie) and Special Olympics athlete and headquarters employee Ben Collins. |
Carin Collins, parent of Special Olympics athlete Lucy Collins, continued, “There is often fear at the beginning, which is the hardest part. But when the disabled and non-disabled students finally get together, it's the non-disabled partners that end up having the most fun and keep coming back.”
Shriver invited Mrs. Brown to help advise Special Olympics on a strategy to take these youth-driven initiatives to countries throughout Europe as well as how to build Special Olympics in her nation. There are an estimated 1.2 million people with intellectual disabilities in Great Britain.
Mrs. Brown attended the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, which had a profound impact on her. “I was struck by how inspiring the Opening Ceremony was. Not only for those taking part, but also for their families and caregivers, who got to see so many people who at first glance might not appear destined for glory being brave enough to give it a go, and bringing a real sense of achievement both to themselves and to everyone associated with their efforts.”
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Mrs. Sarah Brown met with educators and youth, both with and without intellectual disabilities, to discuss the challenges they face and the progress they are making in changing attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities in their respective communities. |
Brown is one of many prominent supporters of the Special Olympics movement from Great Britain. They include Olympic Champions Darren Campbell and Katharine Merry; England women's football coach Hope Powell; tennis legend Mark Cox; NBA superstar John Amaechi; and England basketball team captain Delme Herriman.
Special Olympics Great Britain Ambassador and England's Premier League goalkeeper David James thrilled athletes at London's Heathrow Airport last October at a farewell party for the 159 athletes—the largest delegation ever from Great Britain—competing at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.
In 2008, Special Olympics Great Britain celebrates its 30th anniversary. The Program provides training and competition in over 20 sports for more than 8,000 athletes.
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