Enrich civil rights lessons with the inspiring true story of one little girl whose strength and dignity during the racially charged 1960s helped change. Special Olympics 5 Inspiring Athletes From the Games. The Special Olympics World Games will draw thousands of athletes to Los Angeles this weekend, each one bringing a unique story about obstacles faced and overcome. The more than 7,0. Marva Collins born August 31, 1936 is an American educator who in 1975 started Westside Preparatory School in Garfield Park, an impoverished neighborhood. Down syndrome and fetal alcohol syndrome. They will face off in 2. The Special Olympics began in 1. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, John F. Kennedys sister. Shriver, whose sister Rosemary suffered from an intellectual disability, had fought for many years to increase recreational opportunities for those like her. Today, the Special Olympics provides competitions to over 4. Summer World Games every two years. Here are some of the most inspiring stories from those who have competed, from the four season athlete who hugged President Obama to the accomplished runner who has her own Disney movie. The swimmer who not only wins big, but teaches kids to swim. Kim Chandler, 3. 8, did not hesitate when a reporter asked about her victories at the Special Olympics 2. USA Games. I like to win, Chandler, who has Down syndrome, told NBC Bay Area shortly after returning home to California last year with three swimming medals, one of each color. But Chandler also likes to help other young athletes. In her hometown outside of San Francisco, Chandler volunteers at the Mill Valley Community Center, teaching kids to swim. Loretta Claiborne Story Movie' title='Loretta Claiborne Story Movie' />Despite grim projections from doctors as a child, Chandler is not just an accomplished competitor, but also a role model. The four season athlete who hugged President Obama. President Barack Obama receives a hug from Tim Harris during a celebration for the Special Olympics at the White House in Washington on July 3. Xbox Emulator For Mac. The Loretta Claiborne Story Movie Part 1' title='The Loretta Claiborne Story Movie Part 1' />Who Was Supposed To Play T. T. L Brandy R Kimberly Elise. Brandy had dreams of being a movie star, but she has said no to a few choice roles, most. Kathleen Doyle Kathy Bates Memphis, 28 giugno 1948 unattrice e regista statunitense. Premio Oscar, due Golden Globe, due Screen Actors. Archives and past articles from the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, and Philly. THE SISTERS ISSUE Olivia de Havilland and the Most Notorious Sibling Rivalry in Hollywood. Mandel NganAFPGetty Images. The highlight of Tim Harris Special Olympics athletic career came not on the court or field but at the White House. Harris, who has Down syndrome and is an accomplished basketball, volleyball, track and field and poly hockey player, was a guest at President Obamas star studded event to commemorate the anniversary of the Special Olympics last summer. Obama gave Harris a shout out during his speech, praising not only Harris athletic achievements but also his entrepreneurship in starting his own restaurant, Tims Place, in Albuquerque, N. M. After Harris heard his name mentioned, he walked up to the stage to give Obama a hug. Presidents need encouragement once in a while too, Obama said, according to Reuters. Thank you, Tim. The accomplished runner with her own Disney movie. Sports journalists and bloggers covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MMA, college football and basketball, NASCAR, fantasy sports and more. News, photos, mock drafts, game. Information about this successful Special Olympics athlete and motivational speaker, who has been subject of a Disney movie The Loretta Claiborne Story, Hall of. Goalie Loretta Claiborne, right, and her teammates on Pennsylvanias Traditional 5. V5 Division 3 Special Olympics soccer team celebrate their 4 1 victory over Michigan in Hamilton Township, N. J., on June 1. 9, 2. Loretta Claiborne Story Movie' title='Loretta Claiborne Story Movie' />Ed HilleThe Philadelphia InquirerAPLoretta Claiborne has competed in six Special Olympics world games, winning gold in the mile run, the 1. Claiborne, who is now in her 6. That didnt stop her. She has placed in the top 1. Boston Marathon twice, and received the 1. Arthur Ashe ESPY Courage Award, among other accolades. In 2. 00. 0, she was the inspiration for The Loretta Claiborne Story, a TV movie about her astonishing journey, and she still runs every day. If it werent for sports, I wouldnt be the person I am today, she said. I was very angry before and sports was the arena that turned that around for me. The runner who was a finalist to appear on the cover of Runners World magazine. Andrew Peterson, 2. Special Olympics games in New Jersey. Peterson competes in the 1. M, 3. 00. 0M and 5. M running events and said he hopes his ability to overcome obstacles inspires other athletes with special needs. I just like to help other athletes, like, to get better, he told local news channel WISH last summer. Peterson was also the runner up to appear on the cover of Runners World magazine during their annual cover contest last year. Although he lost the spot to Scott Spitz, a fellow Indianian and marathoner who was diagnosed with a rare form of abdominal cancer in 2. Indianapolis and now train together. The national champion gymnast who was virtually immobile as a child. When Chelsea Werner was a child, she had low muscle tone and trouble moving, a symptom of her Down syndrome. She began doing gymnastics as a way of building her strength, and now, at age 2. Werner was enthusiastic about gymnastics from the very beginning, even though in her earliest competitions she usually placed last, her coach Dawn Pombo told TODAY last year. Then there came a time when she did understand what the lower score meant, Pombo said. That began a whole new journey of training her to understand if this is what you want to do, then you have to work harder if you want to get a medal. The road was rocky at times. In 2. 00. 6, the Special Olympics committee of Northern California, where Pombo is from, got rid of its gymnastics program. She had to train on her own from that point on, and her father formed a nonprofit called Chelseas Quest, to help pay for training and travel costs. She began training for 1. Special Olympics events, and even appeared as a special guest in the 2. NCAA womens gymnastics championships.