Connecting The World To Spread The Word of Inclusion

By Daniel Smrokowski, Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger- SO Illinois
Special Olympics North America Medium Blog, March 2021

This year’s Spread the Word Inclusion Day theme is Connection. To me, this means we must spread the word of inclusion to the world that those with and without intellectual disabilities share a common connection. That inclusion is one where we all want to be seen, heard and valued in society. That the common connection we all share focuses on mutual love, kindness, friendship, and joy towards one another.

Daniel and a youth leader standing side-by-side in front of a sign that reads Rally 4 Respect.

Inclusion affects all of us in that it’s a way of life. Whether we are in a mainstream school, workplace, or community, inclusion affects us as we talk and connect with our neighbors.

For me, inclusion changed my life in many ways. Most recently, inclusion affected me a year ago, March 2020, to be specific. On a special one-hour simulcast edition of the Special Chronicles and Lunch Table Talk Podcasts, I sat down with Jack Gorman, a student from Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Illinois. Recently, Maine South was recognized as a Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools National Banner school. We discussed two powerful stories from my years in high school of being bullied to encourage others to make a #PledgeToInclude. Jack shared how his school is encouraging their community to Spread The Word towards Inclusion. Subscribe to Listen here.

Daniel in his natural habitat: podcasting.

Another way most recently inclusion impacted my life is in my workplace at Special Olympics global partner United Airlines (longtime readers of this blog will recall my inclusive employment at United). You read (or can read) about my journey to unified employment on this previous blog piece I wrote in October 2020, celebrating one year at United.

Inclusion affects my life every day when I go to work at O’Hare International Airport (ORD). A year ago, March 3rd, to be specific, before the world shut down, United Airlines hosted their fourth Job Shadow event with United’s ORD Customer Service team and a select number of Special Olympics Illinois athletes and Unified Champion Schools students.

United’s Special Olympics Service Ambassadors, myself, Lauren, Zinyra, & Kyle, had the opportunity to co-mentor students alongside Customer Service Representatives. We interacted with travelers in the lobby and throughout the B and C concourses of United’s terminal. Previous United Airlines CEO (currently United Chairman) Oscar Munoz even surprised us during our lunch break and we took a powerful unified selfie in the elevator. On this exciting day, we showed the mainstream community how the world would be better if everyone were included. We literally showed people the power of inclusion and connection. Just as United Airlines connects the world through travel, our Spread The Word day connects a world of inclusion and togetherness.

Daniel and his colleagues pose for a picture to show what inclusion really means

The word connection means to me that we all share a mutual love, kindness, friendship, and joy towards one another. The two ideas of inclusion and connection go together. Inclusion is at the root of a vital need in our society to form connection. We need connection as a relationship between two individuals and as a shared strength developed between people.

Join us in our grassroots effort and make a connection with someone with disabilities. Spread The Word of Inclusion today and every day. Make your #PledgeToInclude at: spreadtheword.global/pledge