作者：Elizabeth Hsu Raleigh Charter High 9年级学生
编者按：
3月8日，华裔女孩Elizabeth Hsu第一次为北卡特奥会（NC Special Olympia）做义工，工作4-5小时后深有感触，事后记下了这次难忘的经历和感受。
北卡特殊奥林匹克协会专为需要帮助（残障人士）的人举办体育运动会。运动会在全州各地举行。当天的游泳比赛在西凯瑞（West Cary）举行的。
特殊奥运会不仅仅是一场享受美食的盛会，更是一次与亲友在泳池边共度欢乐与团结的庆典。在这里，不同能力的人都可以参与趣味装扮比赛，也可以在社区警察念到名字时，勇敢跳入冰冷刺骨的泳池完成游泳挑战。你不仅能收获快乐，还能与家人朋友共同创造难忘的回忆。
清晨，人们相聚一堂享用新鲜早餐——想象一下，刚出炉的贝果和甜甜圈的香气混合着浓郁现煮咖啡的味道扑面而来。除了美食，大家还能参与抽奖活动，幸运者将获得礼品卡、水杯、背包或咖啡豆等奖励。这样的早晨，难道不令人向往吗？
最令人动容的是，每位特殊奥运会的运动员都面临着独特的挑战，但他们跃入冷水奋勇拼搏时展现的非凡勇气，恰恰诠释了真正的力量。在我看来，这些怀揣热情与决心的人，才是真正的强者。正因如此，特殊奥运会堪称一场非凡的盛会——它支持着那些热爱游泳、坚持提升技能的残障人士，并守护他们对运动的热爱之火永不熄灭。
By Elizabeth Hsu, a 9th grader at Raleigh Charter High School
The Special Olympics is not just an event to enjoy delicious food but also a celebration of fun and unity with friends and family at the pool, where individuals of all abilities can participate in a costume competition. It is also an event where participants jump into the cold, icy pool and swim over as the community police calls their names. Not only do you get to have fun, but you also get to create memories with your family and friends.
People would get involved with each other and have fresh breakfast in the morning. Imagine smelling fresh bagels and donuts first thing in the morning, alongside the intense scent of fresh coffee. Not only breakfast, but you also get to get involved with a raffle. People would get awards like gift cards, bottles, bags, and coffee beans out of luck. Wouldn’t that be a great morning to have one day?
What makes it truly inspiring is that every athlete in the Special Olympics faces unique challenges, yet they show remarkable courage as they dive into the cold water and compete. In my eyes, those who demonstrate such passion and determination embody true strength. The Special Olympics, therefore, is an incredible event that supports individuals with disabilities committed to nurturing their swimming skills and fueling their love for the sport.
