May 2014 Community News
~By: Jocelyn Adams, Communications & Special Projects Assistant
"A rewarding life is filled with challenge. So do not pity me, give me a chance,"
-Ryan Johnson, Special Olympics Athlete
Start changing lives, including your own. Jocelyn LeBlanc, a second year physiotherapy student and former player of the Dalhousie Women’s Hockey Team, explains the benefits of getting involved with the Nova Scotia Special Olympics Community.
As a volunteer, it’s easy to want to go back every week. After volunteering 20 hours for an undergraduate class, LeBlanc brought along six of her teammates and has remained a volunteer with the Floor Hockey Team for three seasons. “There were probably around six of us that did the program every Tuesday but I just kept up with it throughout my physiotherapy degree, said LeBlanc.
The Special Olympics Community enriches lives through sport. "You walk into the gym and the athletes are so excited to see you. They’re so appreciative of the little time you put in every week and always want to know how you’re doing in school; it just kept us going back,” said LeBlanc.
Volunteering enhances many skills applicable to physiotherapy. “ The program does foster an active lifestyle and encourages people to participate in sports. It’s also important to recognize that the program can improve your communication skills. Interacting with athletes who have intellectual disabilities is completely different than for someone who has a physical disability,” said LeBlanc.
LeBlanc plans to continue her journey with the Special Olympics. “After graduation I plan on continuing with the program. This summer I’ll be doing my final placement in Halifax and transitioning with the athletes from floor hockey in the gym to playing softball outside,” said LeBlanc.
Volunteers play a huge role in the success of the Special Olympics. The provincial body of the Special Olympics is composed of full time staff and over 500 volunteers. Becoming a coach or volunteer is easy. If you’re interested in getting involved, please fill visit the Special Olympics website, select a province and fill out the volunteer application form and the volunteer training course. The program runs every Tuesday from 6-7:00 p.m. and 7-8:00 p.m.
If you’re interested to discover what it’s like to be a volunteer, please contact Jocelyn LeBlanc. “Once you go to one session, the athletes love you.”