Within the heart of Dandenong, a southeastern city of Melbourne, Australia, athletes like Andrew Robbins find more than just a sport – they find a family. A long-standing member of the Bocce team, Andrew reflects on his journey of two decades with Special Olympics. Notably, Andrew was the first Special Olympics athlete to win a gold medal for Australia in Bocce at the 2007 World Games. However, for him, the Special Olympics movement goes beyond medals or winning, it is a safe place.
Reflecting on his journey, Andrew shares, “I have an intellectual disability, but I found a home here. I found people I could communicate with. I found people whose company I enjoyed.”
In the spirit of inclusion and acceptance, he found the confidence to be himself, and reminds us that, “no matter how different you are, it’s okay to be yourself.”
For him the games are about building connections through shared experiences and a platform to realise and achieve dreams. “I’ve actually achieved one of my dreams. I got married. Ticked that one off the list,” he chuckles, reminiscing about walking hand-in-hand with his wife, Vicki Robbins, a fellow Bocce athlete with Special Olympics Australia, at the World Games opening ceremony in Berlin last year.
Recalling his transformation before he started being active in Special Olympics, he said “I was very homebound. I wasn’t too confident, it wasn’t until I started my Special Olympics journey. That’s where I got my start. So, yes, I feel very privileged to be with Special Olympics.”
But Andrew’s journey goes beyond the games. “Through Mari,” he explains, referring to his friend and coach, “I found people I could talk to. I found people who made me feel at home.”
Amidst the competition, Andrew’s jokes and playful banter bring lighthearted moments of laughter to his teammates and community, reinforcing the importance of joy that can be found in simple things. “It’s like being a smart aleck. It gets people laughing,” he jokes.
Andrew’s tale shows what Special Olympics is all about – forging genuine relationships, breaking barriers and creating communities where no one is left behind.
After all, victories aren’t just about winning medals – they’re about the friendships forged, the challenges overcome, and the lives touched. As Andrew Robbins and countless others have discovered, in the spirit of play, we find unity, purpose, and above all, connection.
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