General Media Highlights From Around the World
-- Omaha World-Herald (US), 13 September -- Punches fly in annual boxing match
It was for charity, good fun and an old-fashioned rivalry, yet the punches were flying Saturday night as police and firefighters slugged it out at the Mid-America Center. That’s just the way the estimated 2,500 fans liked it at the Omaha Guns & Hoses Boxing Challenge, a competition between Omaha and Lincoln-area police and firefighters. Proceeds from the event were to benefit a variety of charities and community groups, including Special Olympics. Read more
-- Nieuws Bank (Netherlands), 12 September -- Police Force Brings the Flame or Hope to Regional Special Olympics
The Regional Police Force in Groningen will bring the Olympic Flame on Saturday 12 September to the sport hall of the ACLO on the university complex in Groningen. Lighting the flame is the peak of the opening ceremony and the start signal of the regional Special Olympics. Read more (Please note: complete text available only in Dutch.)
-- Lansing State Journal (US), 12 September -- Autumn Classic benefits Special Olympics
East Lansing residents Krista Suess, 13, and 18-year-old Kierin Kerbawy spent part of Labor Day checking out the course for the 2009 Autumn Classic, set for Sunday, Sept. 20 at Lake Lansing Park North. The accomplished Special Olympians will compete in the race, and all proceeds from the Playmakers-sponsored event will go to Special Olympics Michigan-Area 8. Read more
-- Kilkenny Advertiser (Belgium), 11 September -- Aylward launches Special Olympics
EU exhibition Fianna Fáil MEP Liam Aylward officially launched the Special Olympics European Parliament Exhibition in Brussels this week. The exhibition, entitled Changing Lives in Europe, highlights the impact of Special Olympics on the lives of people with an intellectual disability in Europe. “This exhibition highlights the important role that the European Special Olympics play in our society,” Mr Aylward said. “This is an organisation that gives serious fulfillment and happiness to millions of people, which includes participants, their families, and the tens of thousands of volunteers who continue to ensure that this organisation is such a great success. At the core of the mission statement of the European Special Olympics is a need to break down stereotypes about disabled people.” Read more
-- Whitehorse Daily Star (Canada), 11 September -- Special Olympic athletes to meet with Senator
Senator Jim Munson is stopping in Whitehorse tonight to catch a Special Olympics Yukon soccer game at the Canada Games Centre. Senator Munson is in the Yukon spreading awareness for the Special Olympics and to meet with members of Autism Yukon. Read more
-- The Telluride Watch (US), 10 September -- Special Olympics Athletes Photos on Display
The kids who participate in Special Olympics aren’t just amazing athletes – they can also be as creative as anyone. That was the idea behind a project started by Darby Jones, a Montrose High grad who gave cameras to the athletes to take with them to the Colorado State Special Olympic Games this summer in Greeley, with instructions to take pictures of the competition from their own points of view.. Read more
-- Des Moines Register (US), 10 September -- Special Olympics equestrian competition set
Approximately 75 Special Olympics Iowa athletes will compete Saturday in the organization’s annual state equestrian competition. Read more
-- KHNL channel 8 (US), 9 September -- Special Olympics programs in jeopardy because of slow economy
Hawaii's largest non-profit organization for people with intellectual disabilities needs your help. Because of the economic slowdown, Special Olympics Hawaii has fallen short of its fundraising efforts. Unless something changes, this puts upcoming events in jeopardy. This is the sad reality of what's happening to non profits in a slow economy. The Special Olympics "Holiday Classic" is coming up in December. But unless donations increase considerably, it could be scaled back or canceled all together. Read more
R word Campaign
-- NPR "All Things Considered" (US), 8 September --Rethinking 'Retarded': Should It Leave The Lexicon?
"Retarded" used to be a garden-variety insult, but it may be the next candidate for prime-time bleeping. E. Duff Wrobbel never gave the word much thought — until his daughter was born with Down syndrome. When she was just a baby, Wrobbel was driving with her when another car cut them off. "And I actually said that word," says Wrobbel, who is a professor of speech communications. "And then I stopped my car and got teary. And I thought, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe I just said that.' " Read more