Kadena Air Base. The feedback was, across the board, warm and heartening as this special event builds a relationship not just within a community but a great opportune bonding experience between Japanese locals and Americans, of mostly military personnel.
More importantly, it is a day that showcases the wide abilities of special need people. They all did whatever sports they were set out to particate in. They all did it with so much enthusiasm, willingness and lively presence. Supporters, volunteers and motivators couldn’t help but be gladdened by their smiles and positive spirits.
I now introduce to you, #577, Ryutaro.
He’s a stubby 7-year old kid who has no problem reaching for my hand so I can show him around.
We saw creative arts made by special-need children.
We watched cultural performances by both Japanese and Americans.
Marine Expeditionary Force Band playing the National Anthem.
Special-need boys playing taiko drums.
The variety of performances is a true fusion of two countries meshing together their differences and likeness.
American students, Firebird Drummers, performing Eisa. They also got everyone involved to try the drum and dance with them.
We saw people danced while they’re in the wheelchair.
I actually think that the shows and the rapport made are the “special” parts, and not the participating olympians.
Clearly, these special-need group of individuals needed no special attention at all. I’m completely amazed by them. Us, “huggers”, needed no patience in taking care of them. They were obedient, orderly, and certainly capable.
Look! Ryutaro is so happy. Those smiles can definitely turn the world around.
-My special kid is better than yours. Darn right, he’s better than yours. I can teach you but I have to charge. 🙂 –
At times, I didn’t feel like they are special people at all. They are just incredibly friendly. The way they answer to their parents is so impressive. They walk with you. They play with you. No problem at all. Ryutaro even helped me fold the mat that we were sitting on without asking him. To emphasize, they really are very obedient. We all thoroughly enjoyed the day at each other’s companies.
This event tugs my heart deeply.
“Disability”, i confidently can tell you that I didn’t see any that day.
[All images are taken with my cellphone, Samsung S3.]
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Featured Blog
Here’s to a blogger who does excellent “phoneography” alongside her Canon pictures. When I met AngelineM, I was easy to befriend her. She’s an all around blogger, prolific and very approachable. Go and check out her phoneography tag and be impressed by her snapping abilities.
Wow, you made a difference in somebody’s life. Great Job, Rommel! This post thugs my heart.
This event and this post is truly close to my heart. It hit me to the bone.
This is such a joyful post, Rommel. Wonderful pics of people enjoying themselves. So heart-warming. 🙂 I’m so glad you could be there to lend a helping hand. Bless you.
We all did. We all did. Some of them thought it’d be awkward taking care of other people’s special-need family members, but it was not the case at all. They were completely jovial.
Thank you so much for featuring my blog! This post of yours tugs at my heart strings as well. Thanks for introducing us to Ryutaro! This looks like it was a fantastic day for everyone.
It was only a matter of time, and timing, that I feature your blog. I asked around. I don’t think they answered with BS. I really think everyone had a great time.
What a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed all of the pictures. (Good quality for a phone!) 🙂
I know right! I get to freeze the runners, and the performers in mid air!!! I can definitely bring my phone over my big camera and be confident that I’ll be able to take decent shots.
Great to know that the Special Olympics has a wonderful place in this culture, also. What a rewarding day for you and all who took part! Lots of beautiful smiles:)
I volunteered to help others, and in turn, I got the benefit from it.
I used to work with people with special needs Rommel, the organisation was called Seeability – perfect eh?
I surely saw it. It was very evident.
What an amazing friendships. There aren’t any barriers among us.
That is true, cocomino. I’m so glad to know the Japanese locals in this way.
What a heart-warming post, Rommel! Love Ryutaro’s smile. Such is a meaningful and fun way to spend a day 🙂 Thank you for sharing the event and photos with us!
His smile was infectious. 🙂
wow – great phone camera shots, Rommel! how adorable is Ryutaro – oo, just want to run over and hug him! sometimes i think these people are normal and we are the disabled folks. really. thank you for sharing this moment and Angeline’s blog. ♥
We are the disable folks. You do not want to run over him. You’ll just bounce back and regret what you did. 😀 I kid, Sunshine. He is a very cuddly kid.
Great Job Rommel!
Thanks! As you know, we were lucky that the day was clear after having rains days before the event,
Very true!
What a wonderful event! I looooove the taiko drum, and even took a few years of lessons on it back in Canada. Fantastic that the kids were able to perform for everyone!
How cool that you know how to play taiko drums. I play the arcade version. 😀 I love love Eisa performance. Probably what I consider the best thing here in Okinawa.
Haha, well, I wouldn’t really call what I do, “playing” them. 😉
Good for them! I have a neice that will probably enter Special Olympics (she is quite a swimmer)
Swimming, eh. They didn’t have swimming. They had running, wheel chair races, golf, frisbee, baseball and basketball. Swimming would be nice to witness. Goodluck for your niece. I’m sure she’ll have a great time and will pride for what she can do.
Thank you very much, Rommel.
My nephew and niece are special needs, but I don’t call them that. I call them Exceptionally Exceptional. Because they truly are. Rommel, this piece warmed my heart (and it’s cold here!). I love the smiles of these beautiful children and the loved ones too. I got to be part of a Downs Syndrome Buddy Walk a few weeks ago. This reminds me of that. A very incredible experience. And humbling too…
This is the first time I experienced something with Exceptionally exceptional. Glad to have done it.
Beautiful post, Rommel. You made my day.
That’s my blog-job, day-maker. Hehehe 😀
I worked with Special Needs preschoolers at one time and you’ve brought that time back to me. You really captured the joy of the day, Rommel. So nice to see. 🙂
Glad to know. With your personality, I’m sure you are fit for their attention.
Beautiful and heartwarming Rommel. As memorable a day for you as for them I imagine 🙂
The families sure appreciate the attention that the event focused on them.
This post was near and dear to my heart Rommel, as this was my field of study in school and the field in which I worked for several years before getting into corporate life. Working in special ed was the most rewarding job I ever had. I spent many years volunteering at Special Olympic games. It does not surprise me one iota that this event tugged at your heartstrings. I knew from the first time I visited your site that you were a special young man and you confirmed that when I met you. 🙂
Thanks for the share of your past. I can easily imagine you with these kids and do good job supporting, encouraging and helping them. And thank you for the kind word. I especially like ‘young man’ from the comment. ahihihi 😀
Enjoy this time while it lasts my friend! 😉
I love events like these.