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UPDATED: September-11-2008 NO.45 NOV.9, 2006
I Know I Can
The Special Olympics in Shanghai next year can help more people with intellectual disabilities learn to cope with the challenges of life
By TANG YUANKAI

Engaging with society

"I believe the Special Olympics have given attention and help to the most disadvantaged group and highlighted the spiritual force and humanitarian care," said Deng Pufang, Chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation.

Deng is the elder son of the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. During the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), Deng Pufang suffered persecution and was left paralyzed from the waist down. In 1983, he embarked on a program for the welfare and humanitarian care of China's disabled people.

"It is difficult for people with intellectual disabilities to be accepted by society. They have to overcome the barriers of an unfavorable social environment as well as their own limits," he said. "Yet the improvement of the social environment to one with no prejudice or mockery requires the efforts of the whole society. The Special Olympics has brought courage and confidence to people with intellectual disabilities to become active members of society."

Of China's huge population of 1.3 billion, over 13 million suffer from intellectual disabilities. For a long time, children with intellectual disabilities were confined to home and had minimal contact with society.

China's Special Olympics movement was initiated by a visit of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her husband to China in 1985. That year saw the founding of the Special Olympics China. So far, China has hosted four National Special Olympics. Shanghai hosted the first Asia-Pacific Special Olympics in 1996. Since 1987, China has sent delegations to every summer and winter games of the Special Olympics.

In May 2000, a Special Olympics publicity campaign was carried out in Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai. That year saw the number of China's Special Olympics participants increase from 5,000 to 76,000. The number has now surpassed 500,000.

More and more people with intellectual disabilities have begun to take part in society and be understood by more people. They can feel the traditional stigma and prejudice attached to disability.

The Chinese Government has continued to expand financial support for the Special Olympics. In recent years, with the support of the International Special Olympics, China has organized dozens of national Special Olympics training programs, which trained thousands of coaches, administrative staff, parents and volunteers from 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

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