Page 59 - ABILITY Magazine - Avril Lavigne Issue

Left: Mati and his mother with Tim Shriver; above: The love of family
to four times a week with masters and triathlon swim- mers, and with SO Israel’s open-water team, which invites us to all its meets.
Two years ago, he realized another dream when he became a licensed lifeguard. He’s on duty in the summer after his regular work hours, as well as on weekends.
SO makes the world a better place, one athlete and one family at a time. We are thankful as well for Global Family Leaders, SO Israel, and the amazing coaches who’ve given service over the years. These experiences have enriched our son—along with tens of thousands of athletes and their families from around the world. I can’t imagine who Mati would be without this organization. For him, it is the game of life!
Having a son involved in SO year after year pulled me in closer as well. I became Israel’s Family Coordinator and a Global Family Leader for SO Europe Eurasia, helping to facilitate Family Support Network Seminars in our region, as well as sending family delegations to events where our teams participated throughout the region and the world.
It’s a beautiful opportunity for families to connect, despite language differences. And over the years, I’ve had the privilege to meet the most amazing people, including Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of SO. I feel blessed to carry on her dream!
by Vicki Orena
Every two years, thousands of Special Olympics athletes worldwide come together to showcase their athletic skills and celebrate the spirit of Special Olympics in alternating World Summer and World Winter Games. The first Special Olympics World Games took place in 1968 and since then have evolved into a world-class sporting event, attracting a wide range of sponsors, supporters and media. Special Olympics World Games bring public attention to the talents and capabilities of people with intellectual. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 4.4 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volun- teers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 81,000 games and competitions throughout the year.
Mati is creating his own legacy with the backing of his brothers, and now their wives and children. He’s always had the support of our kibbutz village, our regional coun- cil, his school, and later his job. For more than a decade, he’s worked in our kibbutz plastics factory, and now lives independently in his own apartment on the kibbutz.
Though he was not called to army service as most Israelis are, he proudly represents his country as a Spe- cial Olympian, and garners the respect of the wider community. Now 20 years in, he continues to train three
Vicki Orena lives in Kibbutz Ginegar in Israel.
ABILITY 59