Hundreds Participate in Special Olympics Rally
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Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — Hundreds of students, athletes, and parents joined the Special Olympics rally at the State House Tuesday morning to take a stand against the R-word. “It’s a hateful word that destroys the dignity and humanity of our most innocent population, individuals with intellectual disabilities,” said Logan Leask. With lots of dancing, music, and banners people in the crowd took a pledge to support the elimination of the R-word and advocate for respect. The schools at Tuesday’s rally are part of Project Unify, a Special Olympics initiative aimed at bringing kids of all abilities together. “We bring students of general education and special education together through sports but they also do that through the ability to be leaders and they’re really learning how to work and thrive in a diverse environment,” said Barbara Oswald, Director of Youth Initiatives. For speakers Kourtney King and Ashley Workman, Project Unify is a message of acceptance and friendship. “With regular education and special education students, I think we’re all the same, it’s all about equality and I just think that we should just be one and be together,” said Kourtney King. “It was pretty incredible to see all these people and children here, just supporting us and helping out the special needs kids,” said Ashley Workman. And together they will continue to rise up and roar to end the R-word. Special Olympics will hold their State Basketball Tournament Saturday, April 11th and the State Summer Games, May 1-3 at Fort Jackson.
