Hopes & Goals For 2021
By: Renee Manfredi, Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger, SO Hawaii
2020 was a big year for all of us all over the world. When COVID-19 hit, everything changed for Special Olympics athletes. All of our regular activities were put on hold due to the pandemic to protect athletes' safety.
But that didn’t stop Special Olympics from trying to make sure we stayed active, even when we couldn’t be together in person. Special Olympics staff across the world put their heads together and came up with all kinds of virtual activities for us to do throughout this difficult time, including virtual dances, exercises, stress strategies and even the SONA Stride Challenge. These activities have made all the difference in the world for athletes and their families. For some, virtual Special Olympics was the only activity they had.
But 2020 has ended and 2021 has begun! Which means that this is a great opportunity for us to think about our New Year’s hopes and dreams.
One of my 2021 hopes is to get back into open play. While virtual activities are great and Zoom meetings have brought us together, I miss seeing my friends out on the field. I miss the smiles and cheering we do for each other. And while I am super thankful for all the new opportunities I’ve gotten to experience and learn from this past year, I cannot wait to see everyone face-to-face.
As an SSIGM and Health Messenger, I hope to be able to do more public speaking. Some very important issues have been brought to light during COVID.
“Currently, there is little data on COVID-19 and the health of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
‘This paucity (scarcity, shortage, lack) of data on COVID-19 trends among the IDD population further exposes the reality that there is no adequate surveillance structure in place to monitor COVID-19, or other public health outcomes, among the IDD population’, says the National Institute of Health.
What this means is people with (IDD) are a vulnerable health population that does not receive adequate attention within public health research and intervention/efforts.” *ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
This just demonstrates that there is still so much to be done so that persons with IDD are not left out of the equations that affect us all. I am super ready to get going, so I can continue to advocate for individuals with IDD, address their health concerns, and spread the message of inclusion even further.
I’m hoping for normal office hours: I was really loving going to my new job as the Athlete Leadership and Healthy Communities Assistant at Special Olympics Hawaii. After waiting 35 years for a wonderful job, it has been sad to not be able to go in person. Though I have done a million things virtually and learned a plethora of technology this year, I still miss being able to ‘go to work,’ and I was really looking forward to being with someone other than my mother!
On a personal note, I am so looking forward to traveling again. Not only as an SSIGM spreading the message of inclusion, but to be able to see family in Texas, Boston, and Rhode Island. Living in Hawai’i, we are super far from everyone. I am hoping to see be able to see them all this year but especially my baby brother Tony. It has only been 457 days since I have seen him. But who’s counting?!
During 2020 I was able to learn how to do stand-up paddleboard. I absolutely LOVE IT! My goal is to continue developing my skills as a stand-up paddleboarder. This is definitely a great physical activity that works your whole body and it really helps with my balance. But best of all, it’s just plain FUN.
It seems like 2020 was a long and full year that I will not soon forget.
I am always thankful for the past and looking to the future.
I’m going into 2021 with hope, dreams, and determination.
What are your hopes and dreams for 2021?
