10 reasons why you should vote for a Special Olympian on Tuesday - Lexington courts | Examiner.com

Our country would be better off today with people of 'special needs' in political positions than the choices we have today. Special Olympians have all of the qualities that original politicians, then called Statesman possessed. I realize some of you won't take this article seriously and will consider that maybe I'm writing this as satire. However, as I prepared to write the article, I realized that it was entirely true. You see I have 30 years of experience to base my opinion on.

I have a little brother named Brandon. Well, he's not so little, he's 30 years old and an imposing, strong 210 pounds. However, he'll always be my little brother. Brandon has defied odds all of his life, has been close to death and has even legally died three times. Brandon has Down syndrome. When Brandon was born he needed a full blood transplant. The hospital administration formed a panel and brought my mother into a room. There she was told that Brandon was a 'Mongoloid' and wouldn't have a life worth living. The solution? The hospital would give him morphine so he wouldn't be in pain and then would stop feeding him.

Challenges continued throughout his life. The school system didn't want to bother to teach him to read and write. He now reads for hours a day and remembers everything he reads. He opens novels and political books and copies them word for word, inserting his name for the hero in the story, in notebooks. He's not only capable of taking care of himself but he's constantly helping out others and looks out for my mother when other family members are not around. I have tried to be a good brother but must admit that he's better at it than I.

It is through him that I have met hundreds of Special Olympians throughout Kentucky. Whether it's basketball, softball, bowling, winter sports or track and field I began to notice the similarities to my brother. Some of the players around the state will only see me at the regional tournament once a year. Yet, somehow, they still remember my name and details about me. Here's a list of the qualities that are exaggerated among those with 'special needs' or disabilities that our politicians could learn from.

1. Special Olympians never hold back their emotions. When they're excited they show it. When they're happy they show it. When they're sad, that's right, they show it. Best of all, they never let you forget that they love you and care about your well being.

2. Special Olympians understand struggle. They fight and compete but not to win. No, they just want to be brave in the effort, to give it an honest try.

3. Special Olympians would give you the shirt off of their back. Believe me, I've had to hand them back many times. They would never take anything from you without giving you something in return, even if all they have to give is a hug and an "I love you".

4. Special Olympians play fair. The Special Olympics organization emphasizes fairness and sportsmanship. Special Olympians take this to a level that would put the Red, the Blue and the Tea to shame.

5. Special Olympians don't read teleprompters. They don't need to. They tell you exactly what's on their mind.

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