Diocese sponsors Special Olympics Clinic
By Renee Webb, Globe diocesan news editor
Posted March 14, 2002

About 250 children and young adults from the Siouxland area with special needs, both physical and mental disabilities, participated in a Special Olympics Clinic held March 5 on the opening day of the Women's NAIA Division II Basketball Tournament in Sioux City.

According to Jim Wharton, director of communications, the Diocese of Sioux City sponsored the event. Basketball players from colleges across the country helped the special athletes with a variety of tasks such as working on passing and shooting skills. The Special Olympians also participated in relay races.

He pointed out that the diocese has sponsored this event in conjunction with the basketball tournament for several years.

Also on hand for the event was Father Dennis Meinen, homebound contact person for the Diocesan Coalition for Ministry with Persons Having Disabilities.

"This was another way to make contact with persons with disabilities," he said. "It was a wonderful opportunity and experience to take part in."

Father Meinen described the event as a very prayerful experience.

"The players were really enthusiastic in their work with the kids," he said.

The priest acknowledged that the kids were so absorbed in and obsessed with the activities, that he didn't have the chance for traditional ministry he would do in another setting such as hospital. Cruising the auditorium in his scooter, Father Meinen's main role in the clinic was to be a witness to the faith and set the example that "when you don't have much to go on, you have the Lord to get you through." He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the late 1980s.

In some cases, the women's athletes pushed children and young adults who were in wheelchairs during the relay races. Some of the players made hoops with their arms so the Special Olympians had a closer shot. Others showed the special athletes warm up exercises.

"All of the kids were lined up and they were going through the motions," described Father Meinen. "The basketball players made them feel like they were part of a team."

The Special Olympians, he added, appeared to achieve greater confidence and a more positive self-image through the activities.

He noted that the special athletes held true to the oath of the Special Olympics that is, "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

The priest said that the diocesan sponsorship of the clinic tied in well with the church's mission to have a preferential option for the poor. The poor, he noted, included persons with disabilities and assorted afflictions.

"It was a real learning experience for me," said Father Meinen.