AR State Special Olympics 2013

                 For those of you who do not know, my brother Joshua is as strong as an ox. 

                                                                    No, REALLY.

                My older brother Joshua participated in the Arkansas State Special Olympics on May 25th, 2013.  He has been competing for years but over the past handful of years, he has gotten really into powerlifting. A few years ago, he even got to travel to Ames, IA to compete in the National Special Olympics games as part of the Arkansas team.  They did a whole big thing for all of the athletes and the AR team got to fly there on private planes.  It was legit.  My family opted to drive....but that's a whole other story in itself.  

                                                                  Back to May 25th...

                Joshua competed in the bench press, dead-lift, and a combination category.  He weighed in at only 116 lbs (which is low, even for him) so I was nervous.  I knew my dad had been taking him to the gym and working with him on his weights, but usually Joshua weighs in the 120-range so I wasn't sure what to expect.  There were only two people in his weight group. Joshua successfully completed all of his presses and lifts.  It is amazing to watch all of those athletes compete.  By just looking at some of them, you might think, "Never in a million years could that person be athletic." but you would be SO WRONG.  Some can barely walk, some can barely see, some don't look like they have a clue where they are or what is going on, and some, like Joshua, are tiny. I think Joshua's final bench press was 155 lbs and his deadlift was 195 lbs.  AREYOUKIDDINGME?! One hundred and ninety five pounds.  Did I mention he weighed in at 116 lbs? 

all of the athletes competing in the powerlifting division

saw this awesome shirt! :)

LOOK AT THAT FACE!

completing his last lift of 195 lbs!

running start...

time for a....

CELEBRATORY LEAP!

Joshua with Coach Lee

Joshua with his other coach, our dad :)

with Miss AR and Miss Teen AR

with his girlfriend, Jenni

-Holly

Thankful Thursday: AR State Special Olympics

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday in a few weeks...

I'm slacking, I know!

Today I am Thankful for: 

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

My oldest brother has Down Syndrome. He has competed in Special Olympics since he was in elementary school. I am SO thankful that Special Olympics was created for people with special needs. There are events for EVERYONE, no matter what the handicap. 

We were blessed to be able to travel to Searcy this past weekend to watch Joshua compete in the State Special Olympics at Harding University.

Joshua used to do more running events, but over time he got hooked on power-lifting. 

My dad even got certified as his coach and they go to the gym just about every day.

Article in Bryant Daily

(that's my Dad spotting Joshua)

Joshua got to compete in the bench press and the dead lift. It is AMAZING to see people who are physically and/or mentally disabled get up there and perform. There was a man (who could BARELY walk, y'all!) that shuffled up behind the bar and then dead-lifted 300 lbs. THREE HUNDRED POUNDS! Isn't that insane?! I can't remember Joshua's final bench press weight, but his final dead lift was 205. TWO HUNDRED AND FIVE POUNDS. 

Did I mention that he is 5'0'' and about 125lbs? 

HE IS SO STRONG.

It is just amazing. 

It puts so much in perspective. If you ever have a chance to attend any type of Special Olympics event, you really should. It's life-changing. It shows you that you can do anything you put your mind to, no matter your physical or mental limitations. And if you aren't sure if you can, you must at least TRY.

There is no such thing as failure in Special Olympics. There are no losers. 

The motto for Special Olympics is:

"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be faithful in my attempt."

Pretty good advice for anyone, don't you think?

Here's some pictures...

my favorite picture. Look at that face!!

my 2nd favorite. He's smiling bc he knows he has it! :)

3 gold medals (Bench, Dead-lift, Combo)

Needless to say, we are super proud of him!

-Holly