(Courtesy graphic)
The opinions represented in this article do not necessarily represent those of the staff of CUIndependent.com nor any of its sponsors.
Anyone who says they are excited to run into a 37-degree lake in February is lying. Even though I wasn’t excited, I did it anyway.
On Saturday, I ran into Boulder Reservoir with a group of brave souls. We took part in the 2011 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Colorado and raised over $500 from those who pitied our soon-to-be freezing souls.
As I hit the water with my friends, I could hear them screaming and couldn’t help but join in—the water really was freezing. Despite the lack of the feeling in my limbs, I swam out to the flags for good measure, while cheers from the crowd washed into my ears. We all ran back out as fast as possible, and on my staggering run to the showers in the locker room the only part of my body I could feel was the smile across my face.
There are 10,000 athletes in the state of Colorado who participate in the Special Olympics each year. Athletes can start training when they are 3 years old and there is no other age limit. The Special Olympics count on raising about $5 million each year from private contributors because they do not receive any funding from the government.
This is why crazy fundraisers like the Polar Plunge are so vital to the existence of the Special Olympics, which allows intellectually disabled athletes to train and compete in Olympic-style games and events. These athletes deal with the challenges of day-to-day life and train to become Special Olympic athletes on top of it. They display courage, drive and a source of inspiration because despite their disabilities, they get out and do their best.
The Special Olympics have a special place in my heart because my aunt is mentally handicapped and participated when she was younger. I had never given my time or money to the Special Olympics in the past, but with the Polar Plunge opportunity I knew saying “yes” was my chance to finally get involved.
Although my aunt no longer participates, I know it helps people exactly like her—people with the same huge heart, the same happy smile and the same determination to be a winner. The smiles on the faces of some Special Olympics athletes at the Polar Plunge after-party reassured me that I had really done some good by freezing my butt off on a Saturday morning.
Getting involved with the Special Olympics doesn’t have to mean running into Boulder Res when it’s just above freezing. You can sign up to help at any of their multiple games that are on-going, or even get involved when the athletes train. Just like any nonprofit out there, they need any help they can get. Whether you’re athletically inclined or not, time and effort toward the Special Olympics in any capacity is invaluable.
As I thaw out, I know that what I did was meaningful, but it still isn’t enough. I plan on giving more of my time (perhaps freezing again, if I must) in order to help out.
I consider myself a tough girl for what I did, but it doesn’t hold a candle to what each Special Olympic athlete does on a daily basis.
Contact CU Independent Entertainment Editor Taylor Coughlin at Taylor.coughlin@colorado.edu.
