Bryan Lambke was born in 1981 with Down syndrome. Twenty-two years later, he won a gold medal at the 2003 International Special Olympics in Dublin, Ireland. The story of the journey connecting those two events is the subject of Spirit, Courage & Resolve, A Special Olympians Road To Gold, a new book by Tom Lambke, Bryan's father.
"Watching Bryan and the other athletes compete," says Lambke, "was one of the most awe-inspiring moments of my life. They are all encouraged to play with spirit, courage, and resolve; but what I witnessed was even more moving. They all competed with unabashed joy, pleasure, and humility." All are characteristics of true champions, Lambke says.
Lambke's book is a story about a family that saw past a disability and envisioned a future, one that would include changing how people feel about others who may be different. At the opening ceremonies of the 2003 Special Olympics, athlete Gabriel Clark was quoted as saying, "If you want to label me, label me able." Another athlete, Katie Meade of Iowa, gave a short but powerful, speech in which she made an impassioned plea to the public to treat people with special needs just as they would anyone else. "If you see one of us," she said, "ask us to sit by you. Get to know us … we're not so different."
Spirit, Courage & Resolve, A Special Olympians Road To Gold is an eye-opening, inspiring story of a family's love. There are lessons in here for each of us.
Part of the proceeds will benefit Chandler Special Olympics and RAD, an Arizona non profit organization dedicated to assisting any person who is disabled and wants to participate and compete in a recreational or athletic activity.
