By: Devin Holcomb, Reporter
PAPILLION, Neb. – At the Papillion Landing Recreation Community Center, the Nebraska’s Special Olympics State Flag Football and Soccer event took place over this past weekend. Where athletes with disabilities competed to receive medals.
According to Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services, 11.6 % of people in Nebraska have some form of a disability, and in the entire United States there are 12.6% of people with some form of disability. The VP of program for Special Olympics Nebraska, Nate Parks, has been in this position for almost eight years now, and Parks says how important it is for their athletes.
“It’s important for them to have the option to stay fit, to stay active, to have a social outlet. It’s important for our communities to be able to come together, and after the pandemic, it’s been a great six months or so, just everybody returning to play. We have our state flag football competition, about 21 teams from all over the state, and there are about 250 athletes. Age ranges from probably middle school all the way up until athletes in their fifties.”
(Nate Parks, Vice President of Program for Special Olympics, Nebraska)
Special Olympics is a global organization consisting of 5.5 million athletes each who are unique and dedicated to what they do. Tencie Tonniges is a one of those Athletes. She has competed in a wide variety of sports, including; powerlifting, basketball, and bowling; just to name a few. Tonniges is grateful for the opportunity that Special Olympics provides her.
“I get to compete just like everybody else. And I get to have fun. So Special Olympics is like a big, huge family to me. So, since being involved for 22 years. Even when I went to national games. That was even fun to meet new people and experience new things. It was just really fun.”
(Tencie Tonniges, Special Olympics Athlete)
With all the help from volunteers and support from family members Special Olympics is a great place for individuals with disabilities to be included. Competing as the hard-working athletes that they are. To find out more information about events and even volunteering for Special Olympics, Nebraska. Head to their website at Special Olympics Nebraska (sone.org)
