Program Chair DAVID SHOEMAKER, and President ROBIN PARKER, welcome LAUREN OTTERBEIN, SCOTT OTTERBEIN, and DAVE MILLER from the Montgomery County Special Olympics organization.
The Special Olympics offer youth with mental disabilities, the chance to participate in local, regional, and world wide athletic competitions. The Montgomery County chapter, of which SCOTT is the Program Manager, is one of 56 Pa state chapters, offering 20 different sports ranging from bowling, floor hickey, volleyball, flag football, through to equestrian events. Montco is the largest chapter in Pennsylvania with over 1200 participants. Scott pointed out that 5% of the population suffers from some sort of intellectual disability such as autism and Downs Syndrome, which often go undiagnosed and there is great need for activities like the special Olympics to serve these people. Next year will be the 50th for Special Olympics. He stated that both Glenside and Springfield ROTARY clubs have contributed to the Special Olympics Montgomery activities.
SCOTT with participants DAVID MILLER and his daughter LAUREN OTTERBEIN
DAVID MILLER, who has competed at a very high level since 2010, spoke on what the organization has meant to him: building his self confidence and pushing him to always be the best he can be.
LAUREN , Scott's daughter, and DAVE show some of the medals that are awarded to participants in the many events that competitors participate in at the competitions.