I was in the favourite car thread and somebody said "street racing is like the special olympics even if you win"
The comment got me thinking about something my brother said to me along time ago.

He asked me "What do you think of the special olympics for the mentally handicapped people?"

I replied " It is really good for them to show us their abilities (they are amazing) and they seem to have fun doing it and enjoy the attention and fuss and all have a fun time".

He then replied "What are you talking about, all they are is a comedy show for bigots and smart asses and rick fu**ers.. It is just completely patronizing them,
people roaring and applauding them lifting something in their mouth and dropping it in a basket.I was in a pub one night and it was on tv and there was a heap of assholes watching it busting their sides laughing. Its wrong. Its patronization in the extreme".

I did not know what to reply.Maybe my brother is right.

What is your view?

I am a financial supporter of the special olympics and I agree with YOU. IT gives them a venue and a way to feel special and competitive. I think it is a very good thing!

Well it's certainly not funny to me. I've volunteered at these events - not meant for anyones amusement or cheap chuckles - but that's just my opinion.

I think the special olympics are very good...not everyone laughs at them, just those that have to build up their egos at the expense of others. I have a co-worker that is in them every year and I am always there to cheer him on...he does more than I can do and Im proud of him

Sounds to me like those guys were a couple of asses who had too much beer and have never had the wonderful experience of havin a disabled person in their lives. How tragic for them.

I think your brother might be over-thinking it a bit. I have a friend whose daughter participates in the SO. She receives so much joy being involved and has so much pride in her abilities. It's a great boost to their self esteem and allows them a venue to be involved in sports at their level. I don't see that as patronizing, but rather a selfless act of love on the part of the folks who make it possible.

I am truly thankful they have the special olympics for them. It allows them live their dream! They may be less fortunate then most, but they can surely outdo most of US, I know they can myself!! They should stand PROUD!! It's a GREAT accomplishment!

my cousin is in that ! and i will hurt any one that makes fun of him ! he enjoys doing those game's , and he so happy when every one cheer's him on ! it make's him feel normal ,

And why shouldn't they compete if they have the ability to?

I have also volunteered coaching and helping with the Events and it's downright wrong of someone to laugh at them when they are working so hard and training to compete. There are always going to be people out there that are going to look at making themselves feel better by putting others down. I have a cousin with Down Syndrome that participates and it means the world to her, and they bring a whole new level of what good sportsmanship and being a team means to sports.

I worked with mentally and physically challenged for 13 years....and if you could see the pride these people have while training!! while competing!! and when they win!!! and even when they lose!!! you'd not question it at all.. yes they are amazing... and noone is patronizing them... we are proud of thier accomplishments

I am also a financial supporter, Auburn! I have a friend who was in the Special Olympics and there is not a nicer person around than him. Always a smile on his face.

Forget the A--holes. They are the ones with a mental problem. Helping the children to enjoy life is what it'sw all about. They probibly could care less about someone laughing at them as long as they are enjoying themselves.

your a good person man ! some people are just small minded!....

There is more camaraderie and true sportsmanship in the SO, I was present at such an event when two little ones(who were clearly friends) were in a sprint, they were neck and neck with each other,one tripped and the other stopped,turned around and helped his friend to his feet, of course the other children in the race gained on them and flew past.They got the biggest cheer, there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd.To the first boy winning was not so important, helping his friend along was ! Do you see that in an able bodied competition?

I'm picky about where I put my money..but I do agree with you. I believe in this one!

I was a freelancer doing a story for a disability rag and I covered one of those in Maryland bout 15 years ago.

Anyone who can sit and make fun of the great time those athletes are having need to walk or wheel a mile in their shoes.

Some of those kids wait all year for this event, many don't get out much. If people could see the pride and joy that swells inside those kids when they get their medals, you'd have to be a cold, unfeeling mf'er not to shed a tear!

This post of ReddBeans sums it all up as far as I am concerned!! Kudos to you reddbeans.
Thank you to all who posted in their views. I think we all agree it is a positive and not a negative.

PLEASE NOTE.
My brother is a real good guy, he was just showing the other side of the coin. He cares about the mentally handicapped, enough so, that by seen peole laughing, it angered him to that response!!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

To all the females
Beers for the boy's

I agree with YOU but unfortunately I do believe also that their are many(insert choice of bad words here) that feel like your brother stated which is sad :(

I agree...I had a nephew in a wheelchair with cerabral palsy, also a mentially handicapped sister. They enjoy such events as anyone else and their triumphs are just as important and challenger if not MORE so than any other athlete!