Special offer

SPECIAL OLYMPICS ~ IN THEIR WORDS ~ TO INSPIRE GREATNESS

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, Homes for Everyone 780403182

 

SPECIAL OLYMPICS ~ IN THEIR WORDS ~ TO INSPIRE GREATNESS

 

What a great thought "To Inspire Greatness""The mission of Special Olympics Oregon is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community."  Taken from their website.

Grazi

 

 

My third grandson Grazianno has Down Syndrome, or is it UP Syndrome.  He just turned 7 and is the greatest kid.  Of course I would say that, he is my grandson, but he is.  When he was 18 months they found he had leukemia and was hospitalized for 6 months, I should say he and his mother (my daughter) were.  He was in Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

 

 

 GraziDoernbecher Children's Hospital is the greatest children's hospital ever in my mind and I was there a lot as well.  Every day for the 6 months and sometimes overnight to relieve my daughter and give her a chance to go home to other family.  She has twin boys and a girl as well.  The kind of leukemia Grazi had was the good kind for Down children, but if he had not been a Down child it could be fatal and is in most children.  There are many blessings. He is now in remission.

Grazi is getting to the age where Special Olympics can play an important part in his life and there are many activities that they attend and a large "family" of people with Special Needs children. They have to be careful with him as his immune system is non-existent pretty much, and he is small.  He loves to kick the soccer ball and is good at it so I know when the time comes, God willing, he will be playing in the Special Olympics and be Inspired to Greatness.

Grazi

 

 

 

 

Posted by

 

                                 Linkedin     

 

 

Visit new website for my Art Work at www.Artofmarystewart.com

 

 

 

       


  2011, 2012 , 2014 and 2015 FIVE STAR REAL ESTATE AGENT
for OVERALL SATISFACTION

 

HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC  
Licensed in the State of Oregon           

 

Disclaimer - As an Independant Contractor of HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, the views of my blog are my own and not of HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC

Comments (8)

Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

That's really nice information - great cause. . . thank you for your dedication.  Best wishes to your continued success.

May 23, 2011 11:45 AM
Mary Stewart
HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, Homes for Everyone - Wilsonville, OR
Wilsonville and Surrounding Portland Metro Areas

Hi Joy, it is such a great cause, Special needs kids, adults are just the best, so much love in their hearts that is pure.  Thank you for your comments.

May 23, 2011 11:50 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

At the Special Olympics events I have attended.  I have always been amazed at the enthusiasm and sportsmanship the athletes exhibit.  I have a close friend with a child, who often competes.

May 23, 2011 12:39 PM
Mary Stewart
HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, Homes for Everyone - Wilsonville, OR
Wilsonville and Surrounding Portland Metro Areas

Hi Myrl, They are really "Special" and the enthusiasm is always high.  Grazi is so excited for anything like that, he jumps up and down when the school bus arrives and he gets on it, looks out the window and waves goodbye with the largest smile ever. Priceless!

May 23, 2011 01:03 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Mary,

Being a grandmother of Grazianno has to be one of the finest accomplishments in your life. That little guy and his mom, your daughter have been through so much, and your loving heart is imprinted upon their souls. They are part of you forever and your support for Special Olympics is to be applauded.

Mary, your post about your grandson and what your family has experienced has touched my heart and moved me beyond words. What your family continues to go through is incomprehensible to those like me, who have never experienced it. There has to be literally millions of children just like Grazianno, and I have to wonder, what would life be for them, if it wasn't for people like you and Special Olympics?

After reading your post, I have no doubt, that Grazianno is a descendant from a long line of strong, noble, kind, generous and loving women. I clicked suggest in the hopes that the powers that be from AR see this and agree, that your story should be featured for the benefit of children and Special Olympics.

Blessings to you and your family always,

Patricia

May 24, 2011 12:09 PM
Mary Stewart
HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, Homes for Everyone - Wilsonville, OR
Wilsonville and Surrounding Portland Metro Areas

Patricia,

I am the lucky recipient of being in Grazianno's life and of my daughter's life as well. They have been through a lot and actually the whole family has.  He has very loving brothers and a loving sister, who now lives just outside of Dallas, Texas.  There are millions of children like Grazianno and others who have special needs as well.  I read a lot about Down Children right after Grazi was born and was amazed at what I found.  He is so smart and can do so many things, he just does not think as we do, but he certainly does understand.  He gets very frustrated as well when he cannot communicate what he wants to but does use some sign language so that helps.  They live in the State of Washington and the State has great programs for disabled children beginning at a very young age.  They started working with him when he was 3 or 4 months old.  It was a beautiful thing. 

Special Olympics does help so many children, teens and adults who have special needs, it is a very special program and community.  Thank you for suggesting, the more the words get out the more help there is for organizations like this.  I want you to know, Patricia, I really appreciate you and your thoughts, one never knows what is going to be handed to them, but I do know that Grazi has given me more than I could ever give to him, and he gives the BEST hugs ever.  Thank you again.

Mary

May 24, 2011 12:44 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Mary, Special Olympics are so inspiring to those who participate. Thanks for highlighting Grazi.

May 24, 2011 03:02 PM
Mary Stewart
HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, Homes for Everyone - Wilsonville, OR
Wilsonville and Surrounding Portland Metro Areas

Hi Gary, thank you for commenting, you are right Special Olympics really is inspiring, as is my Grazianno.

May 25, 2011 08:21 AM