Supporting real heroes

After jumping into a pool of ice water during the Polar Plunge Saturday, someone gave me a hug and told me I'm their hero for doing it. More like crazy, was my response, but the truth of the matter is: I'm not a hero ; Special Olympics athletes and every other person with developmental disabilities are the heroes. Yes, the water was cold — think cubes of ice falling out of your britches — but the knowledge that the athletes will be given the chance to participate in different sports year-round was plenty warming. The health benefits alone of par t i c ipat i on in Spe c ial Olympics for the athletes who struggle with major health issues the entirety of their lives are worth every penny supporters gave. The games also give the athletes something more important in the form of a community. It's not just any community, but a community of people who understand what they're going through and people who coach them to success. Earlier Saturday, my sister c omp e t e d i n a S p e c i a l Olympics riding event in Virginia. She was so excited that she called me to tell me, again, what she was doing. Having Down syndrome, she struggles each day with the intrinsic knowledge that she is not as good as her peers at many things, but when she is c omp e t i n g wi t h S p e c i a l Olympics, she is achieving. Her endless energy in the face of endless struggles makes me admire her. That she struggles each day and is still the kindest, most giving person I know, makes her my hero. I f jumping into ice water once a year means that she and others will have an opportuni ty to feel as proud of themselves as I am, count me in forever. (Alice Campbell is a Havre Daily News staff writer. She can be reached at acampbell@ havredailynews.com.)