John Bradford met his best friend in a most unusual way. They competed in the same swim meet (swam breast stroke side by side) and came in one second apart. They shook hands, hugged and have been best friends ever since.

Not everyone makes friends within the competition and not everyone works so hard to make other people feel good. But John Bradford is not like everyone else. You see, John is a 47-year-old with cerebral palsy who has close to one hundred Special Olympics medals in swimming and bowling. He says, “Special Olympics is all about helping people and feeling good about yourself.”

It’s hard to believe that when John was born, he could not hold up his head or crawl. His mother, Birdie, says, “I didn’t know what was wrong at first. The doctors told me that I should give him up.” She went on, “He cried for eighteen months. After treatments, he got better each day. He started to hold his head up and laugh. At three and a half years old, he could stand up and walk.”

Today, thanks to his loving family and Special Olympics, John is an active adult with many athletic and life accomplishments. John began swimming at a public pool every day to build his strength. The doctors said he needed to exercise. His mother said he needed something to keep from getting bored. A friend of his was a coach and recruited him to Special Olympics because they needed swimmers. In season, John swims every morning from 6:30 to 9 to prepare for three weekends of competition. And he gets to practice with his swim team every Tuesday.

His mother used to be a coach and his sister Sally coaches today. They get a firsthand look at the power of Special Olympics. His mother tells us, “They gain a lot of confidence in themselves. If they don’t belong somewhere, they’re not learning. In Special Olympics, they learn how to get along with others.”

John Bradford and his sister have something else in common: music. He plays the drums and other percussion instruments, he plays the organ in church and has sung the national anthem at several ceremonies.

Wanting to play in his school’s marching band, he was told he couldn’t keep up. He kept practicing and trying out, until finally in high school they said yes. And for over six years, John has worked at Kroger Markets stocking shelves, bagging groceries and helping customers to their cars. “I just want people to know that because you have a disability doesn’t mean you can’t do it. You just put your mind to it.”

That’s really what Special Olympics is all about. We inspire adults and children with intellectual disabilities to develop the perseverance, spirit and skills to tackle life and realize their dreams.

Thanks to our loyal supporters, Special Olympics can help John and so many others to achieve greatness. Through a financial gift of support, you will make it possible for our coaches to mentor our athletes, building their self-confidence and self-esteem, and empowering them to do more every day.

Your generosity also opens the hearts and minds of the thousands of friends and neighbors who see Special Olympics athletes as strong, agile and able … holding down jobs and living active lives as members of the community.

So your online donation (hyper to charityweb) to Special Olympics South Carolina today will be gratefully appreciated, and put to work right away. And if you would like to do even more, please attend a local competition. (hyper to events page). Your cheers really help.

John’s mother says, “We look forward to the meets. We just scream our heads off. It’s about sharing. It’s wonderful.” John adds, “It’s awesome. When they cheer for you, you feel really good about yourself.”