Metcalfe County launches its own Special Olympics group
Kim Satterwhite, vice president of Field and Outreach Services in Frankfort, Kentucky, spoke to those in attendance and answered questions. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor, The Herald-News
Metcalfe County now has its own Special Olympics Kentucky (SOKY) group, giving local athletes the opportunity to compete at local, regional, and national events. For many years, Metcalfe County athletes have competed through Barren County’s Special Olympics program.
The Metcalfe County group is open to athletes from Metcalfe, Adair, Cumberland, Monroe, and Green counties. Volunteers are also needed to help support the program.
Special Olympics provides opportunities for individuals who may be unable to participate in traditional athletic programs. Through sports, athletes can have fun, be part of a team, feel connected to something bigger than themselves, make friends, and enjoy the experience of competition.
The SOKY athletic oath reflects that spirit: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Through competition, athletes benefit physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. Families also have opportunities to meet others with similar experiences, while the community benefits from volunteering and attending competitions. Athletes flourish when they are treated with respect and acceptance.
The Metcalfe County Special Olympics group was organized by Jonathan and Shannon Key, whose children participate in the program. Jonathan, however, gives the credit to the athletes.
“It’s all the kids and all about the kids,” he said.
The group held its first meeting last Monday at the fairgrounds, with a sizable crowd in attendance. Members of the Edmonton-Metcalfe Chamber of Commerce were present for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Chamber board President Gina Gibson opened the ceremony and welcomed the group.
Mark Parke also attended and gave the invocation before the ribbon was cut.
Special guest Kim Satterwhite, vice president of Field and Outreach Services in Frankfort, Kentucky, welcomed the group and provided additional information about Special Olympics Kentucky.
Jonathan Key spoke about the athletes’ competitive spirit and how much they enjoy participating. Photo | PJ Martin
15 sports offered throughout the year
Special Olympics Kentucky offers 15 different sports for athletes, with seasons similar to those of school athletic programs.
The sports are scheduled as follows:
- Winter — November to March: skiing, basketball, cheerleading, and snowshoeing.
- Spring — February to June: bocce, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, and track and field.
- Summer — June to September: golf and softball.
- Fall — August to December: gymnastics, bowling, equestrian, and flag football.
Kentucky is divided into nine areas for individual competition and four regions for team competition. Metcalfe County is in Area 5 for individual competitions and Region 1 for team competitions.
Currently, 73 of Kentucky’s 120 counties participate in Special Olympics, with more than 6,733 athletes statewide.
The program uses a process called “divisioning” to group athletes by age, gender, and ability. This system gives athletes the opportunity to compete against others at a similar ability level. Each division includes no more than eight athletes or teams.
A program built on inclusion
Special Olympics began in 1968 and is an international program that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than 1 million children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.
The program is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can learn, enjoy, and benefit from participating in individual and team sports when provided with proper instruction and encouragement. Sports are adapted as necessary to accommodate participants’ mental and physical limitations.
To be eligible for Special Olympics, an athlete must be at least 8 years old and be identified by an agency, professional, or physician as having an intellectual disability, cognitive delay, or significant learning or vocational problems. There is no maximum age. Kentucky’s oldest athlete is an 82-year-old bowler.
Special Olympics also offers its Healthy Athletes Program, described as the largest public health program for people with intellectual disabilities, a population that frequently receives less or inadequate care.
The program includes Fit Feet, Healthy Hearing, Special Smiles, Strong Minds, Opening Eyes, and Med Fest. Through these programs, participating athletes can receive free glasses and hearing aids.
The Metcalfe County participants are beginning practice and training for basketball and are working to sign up additional athletes.
To register an athlete, visit the Special Olympics portal at https://portals.specialolympics.org/.
Those interested in becoming a coach can contact Jonathan or Shannon Key at 270-579-1406 or Wesley or Shelby Pace at 270-261-2039.
Anyone wishing to become a volunteer or coach must complete a background check, online training, and sign a Code of Conduct.
Anytime you have the opportunity to attend a Special Olympics event, participate by cheering for these amazing athletes.
The ribbon-cutting was held prior to the first meeting of the Metcalfe Special Olympics. Photo | PJ Martin
