A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE
BY RENEE DEASE
Hi, my name is Renee Dease. I have worked at the headquarters of Special Olympics for 35 years! I was the very first receptionist that the Special Olympics office ever had. I have filled many roles during my time at Special Olympics and have had the opportunity to see the organiza tion change and grow into what it is today. As a young adult, I went to the District of Columbia Arc and trained for two years to be an administrative assistant. I interviewed with Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics in 1978 and got the job, and the rest is history.
W hen I first met Mrs. Shriver, I thought she was very kind. When I met her, she told me, "Renee, I hear you're a good speller and we need more good spellers in the office." I was so excited to be working with Mrs. Shriver. Her brother, former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, had passed so many bills to help people with intellectual disabilities I couldn't believe I could work side by side with this influential woman and her family. Mrs. Shriver had so much energy and she cared so much for people. I admire how she saw that sports and recreation promoted confidence in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). She would have Special Olympics athletes come to her house to swim in her pool. Before working at Special Olympics, I was an assistant coach for athletics and a spokesperson for Special Olympics DC. I helped athletes write speeches for events and was the MC for the annual Athlete of the Year ceremony. I was a board member of Special Olympics DC and co-wrote a play for Special Olympics DC athletes to perform called On the Road to Success, which was inspired by The Wiz. Working at Special Olympics was much different 35 years ago. The floor we worked on had four offices for about 15 people. Staff would run down the hall always in a hurry to get everything done. We'd also yell across the hallway to each other.
We'd also yell across the hallway to each other. My current role at Special Olympics is Coordinator of Healthy Athletes. In this position, I support Healthy Athletes events. I interview Special Olympics athletes from around the world about their health and wellness, and leadership activities. I have a record of more than 20 years of athlete interviews!
In July of 2018, Special Olympics started a year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Special Olympics Games in Chicago, Illinois. I was proud to attend and see how Mrs. Shriver's legacy is being carried on. In 50 years, Special Olympics athletes have more opportunities to be leaders in the Movement. I saw families come together to support each other and learn more about Special Olympics. I'm proud that Special Olympics is working with schools to make sure that the next generation will include people with intellectual disabilities in their lives. Seeing unified sports take off is also amazing. I love that when people with intellectual disabilities play sports with people who don't have disabilities, it gives everyone a chance to work on the same team and to have an equal share in play.
With Special Olympics, in 1981 I had the chance to have my first plane ride to go visit the Special Olympics Ohio Program. In my 35 years at Special Olympics, much has changed. I went to college and received an Associate's degree in Liberal Studies. My lifelong career dream is to use my writing and communication skills so I can educate people around the world about Special Olympics, and to teach them what motivation, determination and courage people with intellectual disabilities have. In my spare time, I love to write poetry and I'm successfully starting a garden at my house. I have a beautiful daughter, Bridget, who is going to school to get her Master's degree in playwriting next year.
T he Special Olympics office has grown from 15 people to having several offices around the world. As for me, I learned how to use a computer and don't need to holler down the hallway for people any more. What hasn't changed is that people with intellectual disabilities still don't have the same rights and benefits as people without disabilities. I'll continue my work with Special Olympics to ensure that in the future, the world will be more accepting of people with disabilities and my job won't be needed anymore.•
MORE THAN A GOOD SPELLER: (Opposite page) Renee helps train Health Messengers to spread the word about Special Olympics Health; (above, clockwise) with daughter Bridget, who is earning her Master's degree in Playwriting; celebrating Halloween with staff members; and giving a speech at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, MA for the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Renee Dease has worked at the headquarters of Special Olympics for 35 years. Starting out as their very first receptionist, she currently is Coordinator of Special Olympics' Healthy Athletes. In this position, Renee interviews Special Olympics athletes from around the world about their health, wellness and leadership activities.