Special Olympics Florida has a mission. The group wants to give people with mental or intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in society and help them experience joy in building friendships and connections. Lee County has two teams going to Orlando May 18th for track and tennis.
David Johnson is one of the participants. The 34-year old Down's Syndrome athlete is the team captain of his tennis team. He says, "I love to be active and make it work related. It's just being who I am." David says his parents are his heroes. They are the ones who taught him how to play tennis. By the time David was 14 years old, he realized he loved the sport. Ever since, he's practiced at Ruttenberg Park in Fort Myers every Tuesday night. "It helps with new people, peers and friends and new young athletes as well."
Special Olympics volunteer, Joyce Johnson, says, "There are basically no requirements. A mental or intellectual disability is really all that it takes." Joyce says people just need to show up. She adds, "There's all different levels of capabilities so everything is adapted to the athlete's needs." "
Special Olympics in Southwest Florida has grown over the years. Over 1,300 athletes represent Lee County in nine sports at no cost to the athlete or their parents, thanks to donations from the community. If you want to make a donation, click here.
