Pensacola Race for Inclusion aims to end discrimination against people with disabilities – Pensacola News Journal

Special Olympics athlete Chris Nikicbecame the first man with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon when he finished the grueling race last November at Panama City Beach.

The Maitland resident's mantra of becoming "1%better every day" struck a chord with many people and put a spotlight on how Special Olympics can help individuals with disabilitiesfind inclusion and acceptance through athletics.

A race later this month in Pensacola will benefit Special Olympics Florida, providing the funding that helps athletes like Nikic to reach their dreams.

The Pensacola Race for Inclusion, whichis open to both people with and without disabilities, aims toraise awareness toward ending discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities.

The 5K walk/run on Oct. 30 is one of many local and regional fundraisers to help in the organization's nine-month campaign to provide a more welcoming and inclusive society.

Damien McNeil, regional director for the Northwest region with Special Olympics Florida, sees thefundraiser as a way to both benefit Special Olympics and help people with disabilities be included and feel part of a community.

"Many of these people with intellectual developmental disabilities don't have a lot of outlets," McNeil said. "The Special Olympics is truly one of the very few outlets that they have to engage with the community in meaningful ways. So that's really our goal, is just to be that bridge and help provide awareness for these people."

Making Pensacola Beach more accessible: What would make Pensacola Beach more accessible for people with disabilities?

Gateway Cafe: Gateway Cafe serves up breakfast and lunch, work experience for adults with disabilities

The money raised will benefit Special Olympics, allowing the organization to provide health care screenings and programs, as well asdental and psychiatric screenings.

It will also fund the sports that happen year-round for athletes. There are upwards of 20 sports going on in any community where athletes must train, travel, stay in hotels, pay for food and cover other related costs. Special Olympics pays for everything, which is funded by these fundraisers.

All of that ensuresSpecial Olympic athletes have the same opportunities to find an outlet and know they are capable of doing anything they set their sights on.

"They just want to be treated exactly the same as you and me and that's truly the No. 1 thing that I see," McNeil said. "They just want the same opportunities that you and I have. That's a big part of what we do, is we are attempting to provide any resource we can to help them progress and have access to those same opportunities."

The Pensacola Race for Inclusion starts at 8 a.m. Oct. 30 at Bayview Park. Registration the day of the race starts at 6:30 a.m. The race is open to the public and will include a free race for children under age 8 featuring local mascots.

Prior registrants can pick up their race packets between 3 and 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at Running Wild, 3012 E. Cervantes St.

For more information and to sign up, visitspecialolympicsflorida.org

More:

Pensacola Race for Inclusion aims to end discrimination against people with disabilities - Pensacola News Journal