The Special Olympics

Today is the start of the Olympics. I’ll admit, I’m not really a fan of the Olympics, but if I find it on I’ll probably watch some of it. If anything though, I am on team USA. I have a question though. Has anyone heard of the Special Olympics? I’ll admit that I had no idea until I met a friend that has been in the Special Olympics. That was three years ago, now?

The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and Olympic-type sports for people with disabilities. It was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in the early 1960s. She had noticed how people with intellectual disabilities were treated unfairly and how many children with disabilities did not have a place to play. Therefore, she had decided to take action. It started as a summer camp in her backyard to discover what their strengths are and soon became globally known as the Special Olympics.

There are over 32 Olympic-style games. Some include games like: basketball, bowling, cycling, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, gymnastics, and more. Being active in sports plays a very important role for everyone, especially those with disabilities. Well, being active, period, plays an important role for everyone. I’ll say more on that at a later date.

Now, there are many events worldwide and there are many ways to get involved. Here is the link to the official website:

http://www.specialolympics.org/default.aspx

From there, you can see their mission and learn more about the Special Olympics. You can also donate and find out ways to get involved. You can also like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and subscribe to their channel on Youtube.

Here are the links.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympics

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpecialOlympics

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SpecialOlympicsHQ

Until next time, God Bless.
- MissNiChloe

Everyday Heroes

When you see or hear the word, heroes, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Superheroes, like Superman or Spiderman or the many other superheroes we look up to? Or do you think of the real heroes, the firefighters, police officers, and the guys in the military who risks their lives every day? What about everyday heroes, people like you and me? I think this is what a friend of mine has been trying to tell me, but I’m only just now getting it. An everyday hero is someone that goes out of their way to help someone out. No, I’m not talking about getting someone coffee or helping someone move in or anything like that, to be honest, I am not sure if that’s part of the meaning of an everyday hero.

In the midst of the tragedy that happened Friday, I found a few articles that talks about a couple of heroes. One was a teen who saved a mother and her two kids, getting shot in the process. One was also a teen who tried to save others. And there was a story about friends or boyfriends who jumped in front of others to save them while they escaped. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the victims and their families and friends.

Being an everyday hero doesn’t always mean risking your life for others… it can mean going above and beyond for complete strangers, as a random act of kindness. One such example is this:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/strangers-help-disabled-f_n_1677391.html

These two men held up a boy who was bound to a wheelchair in a Blake Shelton concert so the boy could see his idol. They held him up for about a half an hour. There are times where I’ve gone above and beyond for others. At my college, I helped someone get around when he was lost. That sentence alone hardly says I’ve done something above and beyond, I’ll admit that, but there’s more to that story, something I’d rather keep to myself, but I’ve done random acts of kindness. I don’t know if it qualifies me as being an everyday hero, but I always try to do the right thing and I hope to inspire others.

Until next time, God Bless.

- MissNiChloe

My thoughts on life…

First of all, I’d like to say that my thoughts and prayers go out to the families that were affected by what happened early Friday morning. This was just a senseless tragedy. So many innocent lives were taken away. I wish this did not have to happen. This kind of thing saddens me. I… I have no words for this, really. I’m just… deeply saddened that this kind of thing happens. Has the world gone mad?

This week alone had me thinking about life more than I ever had in my young life. Earlier this week, I had posted about a friend’s friend that decided to take his own life. Right before that, I had a conversation with one of my friends that made me think about life. It was then that I started thinking about life differently and all week, I was just deep in thought about this. So, I guess you could say this week has been kind of rough, but I don’t think it’s anywhere near what some of those families and friends are feeling.

We never know when our time is up and we never know when one of our friends or loved ones will be gone. We should appreciate the people in our lives while we can, because we don’t know what life will bring. We never know what tomorrow will bring. Be with people you love and who loves you. Forgive easily, so there are no regrets. Let your loved ones know how much you love them or how much they mean to you. Be thankful for the people in your life today, for they may be gone tomorrow.

Today, I’m thankful for the people that are still in my life. I’ve forgiven people that have done me wrong. There’s some that I’ve forgiven that are not in my life anymore, but sometimes, you just have to forgive and forget. I’ve apologized to the people who I’ve hurt, whether they forgive me or not, that’s their choice. I just focus on one day at a time.

Until next time, God Bless.

- MissNiChloe 

How to save a life…

Yeah, this title is a reference to the song, How to save a life by The Fray. Whenever I hear about a suicide, this song comes to mind. I never knew the person, but a friend did. Yesterday, when I came home from the library, I get on my Facebook and find out that someone decided to end their life. It saddens me to hear about those things; because I’m sure they had hopes and dreams. I’m sure they had goals they wanted to reach, but sometimes life gets too overwhelming. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends; I know he’ll be missed.

If you’re thinking about suicide, please don’t do it. There’s so many people that care, even if you don’t see it, there’s more people that care than you would think. Talk to someone you trust. If they’re not available, call a suicide hotline. I’ve included a link that lists some of the hotlines.

http://depression.about.com/od/suicidecrisis/Suicide_Hotlines.htm

If you know anyone that wants to commit suicide, there are ways to help them. I’ve included a link with some tips for helping someone who is suicidal, but the most important thing to know, is to get them some help.

http://depression.about.com/od/suicideprevent/a/howhelpsuicidal.htm

http://depression.about.com/od/suicideprevent/a/howhelpsuicidal_2.htm

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. For those of you who are thinking of suicide, know that there are ways to get help, and it’s okay to ask for help. For those who know someone that may be considering suicide, be there for them, get them some help, and you just might save their life.

Until next time, God Bless.

- MissNiChloe

A Beautiful Memory

Not too long ago, my friends have helped me re-discover my lost talent of writing. Recently, I was reminded of one memory back in 3^rd grade, when I first started writing. Since then, I have written a few things, but never thought I was a writer, but I always knew I was a writer at heart. I still remember that day like it was yesterday, and I cherish the memory everyday now.

I was in third grade... and I did not have my hearing aid yet therefore, I could not hear very much. My third grade teacher took us to the small hiking trail in the back of the school. She wanted us to use our hearing and sense of smell... that was difficult for me... not only could I not hear very well, I cannot smell, at all. So, instead, I tried to listen, but I could not hear much aside from the crunching of the leaves under my feet. Since I could not smell, I just ended up looking around at the trees, oh what a beautiful color they were. It was the middle of autumn and all I could think of was how pretty the leaves were, especially with the sun shining on them... and the warmth of the sun in contrast to the chilly breeze...

We got back to the classroom and I told the teacher I could not smell and I could not hear a thing... she then pointed out that I could hear the leaves crunching under my feet. And she was right, but I was still confused. She told me to at least give that a try... so I did. I went back to my desk, and as I thought back to that hike, the creativity, the words, just flowed right through me and I just started to write. It was... a word picture of sorts. I wrote about the crunch of the leaves, the warmth of the sun in contrast to the chilly breeze, the beautiful colors of the leaves, especially when the sun shined onto them. And what I had written was the best one out of the whole class; it was one of the three papers that was put up for display.

And when I think back to that day, I look at how far I've come, and I remember all the other writings I've ever done, but unfortunately, I have not saved... but I have the memories... it's a wonder how I've never thought I was a writer until now, but subconsciously, I've always said, I was a writer at heart. I think back to that day, and all I can do is smile. Anyone can write, but when you write from the heart, when you can feel the words flowing through you, that’s how you know you are a writer.

Until next time, God Bless.

- MissNiChloe