They Want to Play Too....

[Croasdail]

I debated where to post these, people or urban life.... but these llittle Special Olympians hearts are ever as much the athlete as we normally see here on these pages. I also wanted to post something positive about Durham, refutiating some of what the media has been spewing over the air the last couple of weeks. So if you will indulge me (and I apologize for havin g a second posting in one week), some of my favorite little athletes and those that support them.

The cerimonial flame



The cool thing I tried to capture in the last image was that to these kids, color nor social status meant a things, all they knew was that someone cared. In someways it would be nice to live in that kind of innocense.

Thanks for looking.... and support the Special Olympics if you get the chance.

[Cadwell]

These are in the right place. Thanks for posting them.

[gmen]

Yep... thanks for posting these Mark.... great pics telling a great story...

---- Gavin

[huskie]

Great pictures. Great kids.

[tomvill]

Looks like everyone is having fun .. Great pictures.

[YARRO]

Heart warming pictures!
Of course they belong in the sports section!

[fslshooter]

Yup they're in the right place -- they're a beautiful series of a great event! Thanks for sharing.

[emurph2]

Very moving and great action shots with lots of emotion. Love your color!

[psurrette]

Mark, those are some special photos of some very special athletes, thanks for sharing.

[beckybun]

Nice shots. They are very touching and I can see why you'd enjoy shooting the event. The shots are nice and clear. I'd almost like to see some of the colors a little warmer, but that's just me.

[BradS]

I spent the early part of this week visiting Durham. With all of the local paper focusing on the seedier aspects of sports, it's refreshing to see the passion that comes through in your pictures. Super shots of a great program and wonderful participants!

Thanks for posting the pictures.

[Croasdail]

Hey, thanks for the comments. It was kind of hard to shoot as some of the events as they were rather limited. Additionally, making a connection with some of the participants was hard, but worthwhile none-the-less.

Becky, hmmmmm.... interesting thought about warming them up a tad. I will have to give it some play and see. Thanks for the comment.

[williambeeler]

I really like them, to me you captured the true joy of participating in sports. Cudos.

[liza]

Wonderful images, Mark! As a special education teacher and former social worker/ advocate for this population, they're particularly meaningful to me. Thank you for sharing them.

[Big WIll]

Very nice, thanks for sharing... Was money raised??

[okiebass101]

great pictures .. i have three of these special athelits in my p.e. class and i have a special place for all these guys..thanks for posting
curtis

[imager67]

Thanks for the post. I find it to be most uplifting. The photos were great too.

[marcusg6@bigpond.net.au]

Very nice photos, well done, love the baseball one....

[Skip Souza]

They are sports heroes in my book. Wonderful series Mark.

[JennB]

These bring tears to my eyes...thank you, Mark! A good friend of mine has a daughter who is a very special athlete, too. This reminds me of her. She's a fantastic little girl with a good heart who gives all the strength she can muster to everything she does...and she never seems to stop smiling!:) I have found her to be a true inspiration.

Thanks again, Mark!:D

[Croasdail]

Thanks again everyone for the comments... I wish I couild have done them more justice, but it is what it is.

Big Will - no money was raised at this event, and actually there was no discussion about it.

The interesting things about this event in light of all the other news that has been coming out of Durham is that this event was held at a very afleunt private (public for you in the UK) school that hosts this event for the local school district. The gentleman standing behind the singer is Captain Chalmers, head of the Durham Police. His comments were to the effect how sad it was while every major news network had reporters camped out just a few miles a way from Duke, not even the local media had paid any attention to this event which truely reflected the nature of this town. Just not as news worthy or sensational.

Thanks again for giving the kids some time.... cheers.

(I wish there was a way to edit post titles....)

[Skip Souza]

Knowing your location Mark, my mind made that same connection with Duke University and who the real athletic heros are.

[phil1649]

Excellent shots from what was obviously a great event. The joy these kids are showing is inspirational!

[Cadwell]

(I wish there was a way to edit post titles....)

Was that what you had in mind?

[Croasdail]

Yep.... thanks!

[JMAS]

I realy enjoyed seeing this series.
Great expressions of joy and success and precious moments of frendship also well caught. Those photos say a lot!