This is the ever so lovely "Leopard Cow" from Cow Parade (New York City,2001.) She gets to be the cow-of-the-day because she reminds me of the Special Olympics Annual Awards Banquet we went to Monday night. We were celebrating 40 years of Special Olympics in Florida. 
The banquet was held at the Ramada Resort. The grounds around the hotel are very tropical, so I wanted a picture with my handsome husband Bob. I, as you can see, had decided to wear my beautiful jungle animal print dress.
This led me to remember a print I bought at a Special Olympics Auction several years ago. The young artist is Dylan Scott Pierce, and besides being very talented, he is also autistic. (I took the close up of the picture off the web. I didn't want to undo my framing and the glass reflected too much.) Here is a photo of my beautiful framed print entitled "Jasmine and Friends." I think it looks wonderful on my wall. I have provided a link on Dylan's name if you want to find out more about him. He is a very interesting young man and a fine artist. I feel lucky to have this print signed by him.
Now let us get back to the Awards Ceremony. My son Lawrence is a previous winner of the Special Olympian of the Year Award. He has earned medals in skating, downhill skiing, track and field, swimming, and gymnastics. I can safely say, "Special Olympics is his life!" In these pictures he is helping his father (my first husband) present the awards for this year. His dad and his sweet wife, Nancy, are very active in Special Olympics, especially the fund raising part. (God Bless Them) The young lady in the picture is this year's winner, Kathy. 
Here are Lawrence's medals. They are beautifully displayed over his bed. He is so proud of them. He shows them off to everyone who visits. He has so many because he's been in Special Olympics since he was about ten years old, and he is 31 now.
You can probably tell I have a passion for Special Olympics. If you ever feel the urge to become involved with Special Olympics, go for it. I know I'm glad I did.
16 comments:
What a great Show & Tell! Thanks for sharing your special pictures...Kathy
I really enjoyed your Show & Tell. My husband and daughter are volunteers for the Special Olympics and they have really enjoyed meeting and working with the competitors.
What a unique way to display your son's medals. He's a champion!
My grandson has Down Syndrome, and he's been in the Special Olympics now for about 12 years! It's amazing to see the magnitude of their striving and succeeding...Each year, it never ceases to astound me. I wish more humans were like those with special needs.....the world would be a lovelier place.
Awesome show n tell.
Love your print dress too!!!!!
My Show n Tell this week is entitled 'BEE CAREFUL'....stop by if you can find time. And, have a glorious weekend.
A wonderful Show & Tell of a great work. The picture is fabulous. Your son's ribbons are awesome.
Susan
What a wonderful Show and Tell. We've a friend that goes to the Special Olympics too. He loves it. Thank you for sharing your son's adventures and medals.
Gina
Wow he has lots of medals! I enjoyed your Show & Tell!
Manuela
Great post! Congrats to your son for all his awards! I have a customer and friend that is a Special Olympics skater that has won lots of awards. Wonderful organization! Jean
Love your dress, Its really great you have such a passion for the Special Olympics.
Great show and tell post! Thanks for sharing.
Oh how wonderful! And what an accomplishment for your son! I know that he had to work hard and stay focus to achieve all of those medals.
My cousin has worked with Special Olympics. I believe as a volunteer. She has worked with the physically and mentally challenged all of her college and working career. She is a VP with Easter Seals.
Congratulations to Lawrence on all of his wins and medals. What a inspiring show and tell you have this week.
My grandson is not in the Special Olympics but does have Asperger's Syndrome.
I have attended Special Olympics and the athletes are awesome. They are determined to succeed - a lesson to all of us.
Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend.
Mary
Those medals are very impressive, and I love the way they are displayed.
I also like the cow and "leopard" print! We saw a cow parade in Chicago in 1999, do you know if it was it the same as the one in NY?
Katherine
What a wonderful show and tell! Congratulations to your son!
~Kelli
Thank you for sharing about the Special Olympics. I once volunteered as a "Hugger" at the end the finish line of runners racing. It was a wonderful experience.
Kathi
Wonderful show and tell.Easy to see why you are so proud of your son - his medals collection look wonderful displayed like that.
Thanks for visiting.
Here is another conkers link
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/how_to_play_conkers.htm
I've really appreciated being around Special Olympics for my whole life. I look forward to my girls having the same experience. He certainly has won more medals than me.
Post a Comment