Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Bruce Paternack (second left), President and CEO of the Special Olympics Movement and Sports Minister Portia Simpson Miller (right), sign the National Partnership Agreement at Jamaica House yesterday. Looking on is Lorna Bell, Director of Special Olympics Jamaica and Special Olympian Johnathan Lowe (left). -CONTRIBUTED
THE GOVERNMENT of Jamaica signed a National Partnership Agreement with Special Olympics Jamaica at Jamaica House yesterday.
The aim of the partnership is to empower athletes who are mentally challenged to become physically fit, productive and respected members of the society through sports training and athletic competition.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson said "the fact that the signing ceremony has been staged at Jamaica House in my presence is testimony to the importance that we've attached to the Special Olympics Movement".
He added: "Today marks the beginning of a brighter future between the Government of Jamaica, Special Olympics and our very Special Olympians who we encourage to represent their country with patriotism," Patterson continued.
"We will always give special attention to the aged, those who are mentally and physically challenged, the very young and of course the poor, which encompasses all of the above categories," he added.
Bruce Pasternack, the recently elected President and Chief Executive Officer of the world Special Olympics Movement, said the partnership agreement will serve as a catalyst for uniting and mobilising CARICOM member countries to further the growth of Special Olympics in the Caribbean.
"Jamaica is a part of a global Special Olympics family. With more than 150 countries and nearly two million athletes, your island nation is part of a Movement that helps the largest disability population in the world, persons with intellectual disabilities," said Pasternack, who was elected to the Movement's top position in June this year.
Pasternack thanked Jamaica for its continued support of Special Olympics and welcoming attitude toward people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
In attendance were two of Jamaica's star performers at the last Special Olympics, immediately after the summer Olympics in Athens last year. The two were Jerusha Gooden and Jonathan Lowe, who displayed their medals.
Special Olympics has approximately 1.7 million athletes globally, over 200 Special Olympics programmes in more than 150 countries. Over 500,000 volunteers, more than 140,000 coaches and more than 20,000 competitions around the world each year.
According to the definition by the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR), an individual is considered to have intellectual disabilities based on the following criteria:
1. Intellectual functioning level (IQ) is below 70-75;
2. Significant limitations exist in two or more adaptive skill areas and;
3. The condition manifests itself before the age of 18.
