Be a fan of Community

“Special Olympics gives me a renewed sense of awe and wonder,” says Special Olympics Virginia coach Richard Koch. He’s learned a lot from his son Jonathan, a Special Olympics athlete who was the inspiration for his involvement.

For athlete Jonathan Koch, Special Olympics provides much more than just an opportunity to compete. It has also given him the confidence to be an active member of his community.

“I've learned through my son's eyes that when you expect the best of people, you are often rewarded with them exceeding your expectations. If you expect people to be honorable, they will be principled; when you expect them to be good sports, they will be gracious; when you expect them to be forthright, they will be plain-spoken.”

An Optimistic Attitude Change
Koch explains that Special Olympics has made a tremendous difference in his family and Jonathan’s lives. “Participating in Special Olympics causes an optimistic, forward-looking attitude change. These changes may occur suddenly, as when you realize your child can complete a task that you thought was not possible, or it may occur gradually as you see your child mature, gain confidence and take on challenges that you thought best to shelter them from.”

For instance, during high school, Jonathan was awarded a varsity letter for his participation in track, basketball and baseball. He also helped out with the football team. Today, Jonathan competes in six Special Olympics sports. “Prior to Special Olympics, we didn't see how he would be involved in any recreation as an adult. Perhaps he would participate as an equipment manager, but it was unlikely that he would actually play a position in any organized team. It's clear to us that without Special Olympics, none of those opportunities would exist,” said Koch. He also points out that Special Olympics involvement has increased Jonathan’s self-confidence and broadened his outlook. “He not only wants to compete athletically, but he also wants to be a better citizen. He expects to work, to pay taxes, to vote. He expects to be treated with respect and to give respect in return.”

A Sense of Community
For Koch, one of the most satisfying aspects of Special Olympics is the sense of community it provides. “Some of the saddest times for a parent with a special needs child is to see that they don't often have the simple pleasure of an age appropriate playmate. No parent wants to create more frustration in their children's lives. Special Olympics creates a community that includes the families of special needs children, and there is a general acceptance among parents, siblings and the athletes themselves that they are involved in a safe environment where competition is fair, effort is recognized and achievement is rewarded." Learn more about Special Olympics families.

"We begin to trust our children with someone other than ourselves and their specially trained teachers. We see that there are volunteers who want to help, for no other reason than to help. We find a community of like-minded parents who've either been through this before or are asking us how we survived the growing up process. We share experiences. We share solutions. We share the wonder of a world that we didn't think existed. We see our children lose their timidity and grow courage. We see our young family survive. We see special needs adults coping with the world and know there is a future and opportunity.”

Koch, director of accounting operations for UPS Freight, was recognized for his 12-year commitment to Special Olympics with one of the company’s most prestigious global awards, the 2008 Jim Casey Community Service Award.