How Community Lives

from 2007 Special Olympics in SC

"A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the hundred-yard dash.

"At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.

"The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked over their shoulders. Then they all turned around and went back.

"Every one of them.

"One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed the fallen boy and said, 'This will make it better.' Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.

"Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes."

Gafni, Marc. Soul Prints: Your Path to Fulfillment. NY: Simon and Schuster, 2001. 129-130.