The pitcher shuffles his right foot just before he launches the ball across the field to first base, but the batter slams it right back, sending it soaring towards the outfield; both sides of the crowd cheer for her amazing hit and by the time the ball reenters the infield, the batter has rounded the bases for an in-the-park home run. Softball is one of the 14 sports Huron Valley Special Olympics (HVSO) includes and is only one representation of its fantastic communities. Although many individuals confuse Special Olympics with the Paralympics, they are vastly different organizations. The Paralympics is based on individuals who have a physical disability who are participating in one enormous competition, while the Special Olympics is for those with an intellectual disability and includes many sports year round. The Huron Valley Special Olympics has been around since around 1968 and has been an essential part of the special needs community. It accepts individuals of all ages, allowing them to join an environment that they are welcomed and encouraged in which they may have not had before.
In HVSO, there are around 137 athletes who are registered in these free sports; the program is a federally mandated, non-pay to play organization. All the funding they receive is raised through fundraisers and all the people who help around—such as the coaches—are volunteers. “Every bit of it is fundraisers,” explained Bear Hall, a coach of 24 years and a member of Team Huron Valley (THV) who fundraise for HVSO. “None of our athletes pay to go to any events, they don’t pay for uniforms, they pay for nothing…every bit of it is volunteers.” This grants athletes that would otherwise not get the opportunity to play in team sports that are often pay-to-play a chance to participate in these events.
To add onto this astounding achievement, the Huron Valley Special Olympics team has enhanced an abundance of individuals’ lives with its social aspects. When it comes to interacting in society, people who are on the spectrum tend to struggle, leading many of these individuals to be excluded from normalized experiences. Tommy Goike, who is 30 years old and has played for HVSO since he was 6 years old, tells how he enjoys “trying new things, trying new sports, and seeing new friends.” His experience in HVSO has allowed him to be a part of his own community and create lifelong friendships. Huron Valley Special Olympics is much more than the sports alone, it’s about the experiences made and the communities that are built. Nathan Barrsis, a Milford High School freshman who bowls for HVSO, excitedly remarked on how “I threw it (the ball) down the lane and the pins went down! It’s fun.” Through his sports, Barrsis is able to participate in a community of his own, opening up limitless opportunities for him.
HVSO is inclusive to all ages and is open to all types of people, even those just willing to volunteer and foster joy. If someone were to be interested in being involved in this community, they can visit somi.org, connected to the QR code below, where individuals can sign up to volunteer or donate. Whether it be contributing monetarily or lending a hand in person, those who offer their help forge incredible experiences for these overlooked individuals.
