The following is an excerpt from Leader for a Lifetime, published by Namibia Economist.
Something a lot of people don’t know is that people with ID are proud of who we are, and rightly so. I don’t feel like there’s anything to hide or be ashamed of, rather there is much about me and others with ID to celebrate. It hurt when I was called “bewitched” people thought ID is taboo. It’s simply the way I was made! I am a; Special Olympics Athlete Leader, community contact, mentor, public speaker and facilitator of family health forums, national and regional games, Healthy Athletes (Special Olympics International’s health-driven initiative) and youth innovation. While I do many things for the movement and have been involved with it for more than four years, something I’m most proud of is the seat I hold on the Special Olympics Namibia Board.
Despite hanging up my running shoes, I still go the distance, literally. I’m known to walk innumerable kilometres to be a part of Special Olympics programming. I’ve come to think of Special Olympics as a family, and what can I say? I don’t like to miss family events!
That dedication, enthusiasm and engagement were infectious and this is how I motivate others and how I ended up in a leadership role. It’s also how I rebuilt my confidence, I repurposed my history of being bullied. It’s become an indicator of my acute ability to persevere. I’m tenacious, and I believe all Special Olympics athletes have the capacity to be so as well, hence my passion for mentoring.
