Unified

My youngest child has Down syndrome and plays on his middle school Special Olympics Unified basketball team. The games are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face by watching the enjoyment of the team–from the players and peer support to the coaches and refs.

Recently, one of the basketball games served as an assembly for the entire middle school. When my son’s team arrived in the gym, there were signs supporting them as well as the home team. The student body didn’t just cheer on the home team; they held signs and cheered on our team as well. The gym emanated joy, support, and unity beyond the bounds of competition. I wondered if all those students realized that in that hour, they were also fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for everyone. It’s moments like these that remind us of the power of kindness and the beauty of coming together as a community to celebrate each other’s differences and achievements.