Special Olympics Missouri empowers people with intellectual disabilities and their families through inclusive sports and lasting community.

Society has come a long way toward becoming aware of and advocating for people in the community with special needs. However, many families still lack either the knowledge or the resources to secure a future for their children.

“There’s a gap there,” says Larry Linthacum, president and CEO of Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO). “And we’re trying to bridge that gap from school age into adulthood. We’re a part of Special Olympics Incorporated world-wide, the world’s largest sports organization with over 6 million athletes in 172 countries. Here in the U.S., each state has Special Olympics. Here in Missouri, we have six area offices, our headquarters being here in Jefferson City.”

Special Olympics is best known for sports, but their services extend far beyond physical competitions, including health screenings and various classes for health education for those with special needs.

“We have doctors who volunteer their time across the state to assess where they are and what their needs are— whether it’s their eyesight, dental, hearing, or some other chronic need or disease,” Larry explains.

In addition, Special Olympics Missouri helps those with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain confidence by teaching them leadership skills that will help them learn a trade.

“We want to help them become productive citizens and have a good quality of life,” Larry shares. “In 2011, there was research that indicated that 86% of high-school students with a disability expected to be working when they turned 30. Only 19% of those with intellectual disabilities across the nation are employed, but if they’re participating in Special Olympics, that number jumps to 52%. Our feedback is that our athletes are reliable, genuine, and authentic. They serve with a smile.”

“They learn a lot of basic life skills,” Zach Paul, director of marketing and communications at SOMO, adds. “We offer communications classes. Some are really good at taking photographs or shooting videos. We teach them how to do it better, how to use some basic editing programs. If they’re interested in governance or leadership, we give them the skills to sit on a board of various organizations, like ALPs, Athlete Leadership Program.”

On the sports side, SOMO offers athletes basic coaching classes on understanding the game and how to lead a team. There are a wide variety of sports for athletes to try, from flag football to dance to bocce ball. SOMO also has an input council, where coaches and athletes can share what they think would be best for athletes as a whole.

“We want to teach them to be their own voice and not have to listen to or rely on somebody else to be a voice for them,” Zach says.

While athletes must be at least 8 years old to participate fully, SOMO runs a young athletes program to get younger children active and introduce them to Special Olympics.

“Every Missourian deserves to reach their fullest potential.”

Larry Linthacum

SOMO is also striving to expand opportunities for athletes by integrating Special Olympics into MSHSAA, the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

“We have schools that will bring their students here, both those with disabilities and those without,” Larry says. “A big part of our mission is our Unified Sports.”

Research indicates that schools that have students without disabilities participating with those who do have increased graduation rates, increased achievement scores, increased attendance, and decreased bullying.

“Every Missourian deserves to reach their fullest potential,” Larry says. “Everyone wants to be a part of a community, whether that’s their church community, neighborhood, knitting clubs, cooking clubs, or exercising at the gym.”

While SOMO focuses on the athletes, they are not the only ones to benefit. Families get to witness their loved ones with special needs becoming productive and independent, the community as a whole benefits from their unique contributions, and the staff and volunteers at SOMO love being a part of something so special.

For this reason, SOMO is incredibly grateful for organizations that dedicate their time and resources to supporting its mission. Through generous fundraising efforts, these groups help provide athletes with opportunities to compete, grow, and thrive. These include the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which has been dedicated to raising funds for Special Olympics since 1986; the Missouri Auto Dealers Association, which supports a raffle; and, of course, the annual Polar Plunge, which is the coolest event of the year. Even the NFL has become a supporter, with George Karlaftis of the Kansas City Chiefs wearing cleats specially designed by SpecialOlympics athletes.

Smaller organizations are also impactful. For example, JC Parks supports the Jeff City Stars, a team of Special Olympic athletes.

“They hold fundraisers here and there to provide uniforms and equipment and travel to get them to various competitions,” Zach explains.

For individuals, SOMO provides numerous ways to get involved. Individual volunteers are vital to the mission of the organization, and they can work with organizations partnered with Special Olympics, like the Southwest Early Childhood Center, or they can participate in various fundraisers each year that support SOMO. There are roles for anyone and everyone who wants to help, no matter the level of their time, skills, or resources.

“People can help out here with our health classes,” Larry says. “Or, they can help guide people from room to room or help pass out lunch,” Zach adds.

Anyone interested in volunteering or simply looking for more information can visit their website at somo.org/volunteer or call (573) 635-1660.