Baltimore, Md.—Men and women who live at Charlestown in Catonsville, Md., and Oak Crest in Parkville, Md., recently helped create a special day in the annals of Maryland Special Olympics. For the first time, older adults paired with people with disabilities in a Special Olympics Unified Sports competition. Bocce was the game of choice for the tournament.

According to Mike Bovino of Special Olympics Adult Program Initiatives, “Special Olympics Unified Sports combines Special Olympics athletes with athletes without disabilities on teams for training and competition. The initiative has been around since the mid-1980s, but this is the first time we are trying it in Maryland.”

Bovino said the program helps adults with disabilities to overcome their social isolation when it comes to sports. (Jane Powell)