"I'm writing a book and if it's successful, I'll make a video," says Ms Rita Lawlor. "It's about my life and about disability and why the words mental handicap should not be used." Rita is a former special Olympian who now teaches gymnastics at Bayside gym club in Dublin on Saturday mornings as well as working in the Gresham Hotel. Rita explained the personal advantages and benefits of the Special Olympics programme at the launch of the "Each One Reach One" campaign by Special Olympics Ireland to encourage families and individual athletes with learning disabilities to get involved in and start clubs in their area.
"It has helped me to learn new skills and to meet people and trust them and to travel on my own," says Rita. "I used not to be able to keep rhythm in music and gymnastics has helped me. . ."
There are up to 24,000 people in Ireland with learning disabilities capable of participating in Special Olympics but so far only about 7,000 take part. Yesterday, the Minister for Sport, Dr McDaid, announced details of a week-long campaign, sponsored by Telecom Eireann, involving sports clinics and demonstrations in UCD, UCG, UCC and at the Antrim Forum. The campaign runs from September 13th.
At Meeting House Square in Temple Bar, the Minister promised Government backing for Ireland's bid to host the Special Olympics in 2003.
Among those in attendance were a number of parents, including Mr Fergus Finlay, and his wife, Frieda. The special adviser to the former Tanaiste, Mr Spring, pointed out that his daughter, Mandy (24), "is the only one of our children to have represented her country". She participated in the World Games in 1995. Ms Frieda Finlay describes Special Olympics as "the only real sport that's left". "They are not sick people, they are healthy young people who should have the same opportunities as everybody else."
During "Each One Reach One" week there is a special freephone number to contact Special Olympics: 1800-827827.
