SILVER SPRING, MD – On May 18, several Riderwood residents and staff volunteered to help with the annual Special Olympics Challenge Day at the James E. Duckworth School – a learning center for students with multiple disabilities who range in age from five to 21.

Some of the students have very fragile medical problems, in addition to their disability. As a result, many Duckworth students are unable to compete in traditional Special Olympics. However, Special Olympics International has developed events collectively called the Motor Activities Training Program to emphasize training and preparation rather than head-to-head competition.

Challenge Day, which attracted hundreds of school staff, family members, and volunteers, afforded students the opportunity to celebrate their “personal best” in a specific motor skill – after training for 8 weeks with a peer coach from a neighboring school. Some events included badminton, for striking, and lacrosse, for throwing and catching. 

During the opening ceremony, Prince George’s County school officials provided special thanks to Riderwood for contributing bottled water, soda and chips, as well as videotaping and photographing the event. 

In addition, Riderwood’s Volunteer Program Coordinator Nancy Piness accepted a special plaque in recognition of Riderwood’s sponsorship of the Special Olympics Challenge Day.  The plaque read, “Thank you for making a difference for our kids. You have made a difference supporting what they do. You will have made a difference throughout their whole life too.”  

At the end of Challenge Day, each student’s achievement was recognized and celebrated in an awards presentation. Every student also received an official Special Olympics medal to commemorate their weeks of training and hard work. (Dan Dunne)

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