Special Olympics Season

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Created on Tuesday, 30 April 2013 15:10
Written by Mario Viola

ellenLYNDON- The Special Olympics is a way for children with special needs to take part in team sports. Ellen Hinman is the Program Coordinator for the Special Olympics in Caledonia County.

Hinman has been coordinator for 2 years now and has been involved in the Special Olympics for over 15 years. It all started when her brother Bill, who has Down Syndrome, wanted to compete and she felt as though she needed to be involved. "This has sort of turned into my main focus only because there is so much to do" The Responsibilities of the Program Coordinator are endless, it involves brining athletes to games and practices, getting the gym times, calling coachs to make sure they know what time to show up, the list goes on and on. Even with all of these responsabilities the coordiantor position is still only volunteer work, Hinman still finds time to actually pays the bills. With all this work for simply a volunteer position Hinman says its ll worth it "Oh just how much fiun they all have, when they go to competitions you know they are just so into it and thats what really makes this worht my time" Hinman said. The passion she has for the position as a vounteer has brought her and her athletes to the corners of the world to compete. Countries of the special olympic world games include Switzerland, Georgia, and even Korea. Wtih all of this in her life Hinman is struggling to even walk, due to Athritis " I have to have another hip replacment, I had (my other hip done) 2 years ago and now I need to get this one done, and its never a good time but it has to be done or I wont be able to do anything."