10 reasons why you should vote for a special olympian

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LexingtonChristopher Hignite

10 reasons why you should vote for a Special Olympianon Tuesday October 30th, 2010 4:38 am ET

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Our country would be better off today with people of

'special needs' in political positions than the choices

we have today. Special Olympians have all of the

qualities that original politicians, then called

Statesman possessed. I realize some of you won't

take this article seriously and will consider that mayb

I'm writing this as satire. However, as I prepared to

write the article, I realized that it was entirely true.

You see I have 30 years of experience to base my

opinion on.

I have a little brother named Brandon. Well, he's not

so little, he's 30 years old and an imposing, strong

210 pounds. However, he'll always be my little

brother. Brandon has defied odds all of his life, has

been close to death and has even legally died three

times. Brandon has Downs Syndrome. When

Brandon was born he needed a full blood transplant.

The hospital administration formed a panel and

brought my mother into a room. There she was told

that Brandon was a 'Mongoloid' and wouldn't have a

life worth living. The solution? The hospital would

give him morphine so he wouldn't be in pain and then

would stop feeding him.

Challenges continued throughout his life. The school

system didn't want to bother to teach him to read and

write. He now reads for hours a day and remembers

everything he reads. He opens novels and political

books and copies them word for word, inserting his

Brandon Hignite proves he's a winnerat the Special Olympics RegionalBowling Finals on October 30th.Photo: Christopher Alan Hignite

Lexington Kentucky mayor says that if

you live a life that doesn't get muchattention, you don't really matter much.My brother, Brandon, has DownsSyndrome and was offended. He hasdecided he would like to be mayor.

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name for the hero in the story, in notebooks. He's no

only capable of taking care of himself but he's

constantly helping out others and looks out for my

mother when other family members are not around. I

have tried to be a good brother but must admit that

he's better at it than I.

It is through him that I have met hundreds of Special

Olympians throughout Kentucky. Whether it's

basketball, softball, bowling, winter sports or track

and field I began to notice the similarities to my

brother. Some of the players around the state will

only see me at the regional tournament once a year.

Yet, somehow, they still remember my name and

details about me. Here's a list of the qualities that are

exaggerated among those with 'special needs' or

disabilities that our politicians could learn from.

1. Special Olympians never hold back their emotions

When they're excited they show it. When they're

happy they show it. When they're sad, that's right,

they show it. Best of all, they never let you forget tha

they love you and care about your well being.

2. Special Olympians understand struggle. They figh

and compete but not to win. No, they just want to be

brave in the effort, to give it an honest try.

3. Special Olympians would give you the shirt off oftheir back. Believe me, I've had to hand them back

many times. They would never take anything from

you without giving you something in return, even if al

they have to give is a hug and an "I love you".

4. Special Olympians play fair. The Special Olympics

organization emphasizes fairness and

sportsmanship. Special Olympians take this to a leve

that would put the Red, the Blue and the Tea to

shame.

5. Special Olympians don't read teleprompters. They

don't need to. They tell you exactly what's on their

mind.

6. Special Olympians help out their fellow man. Whe

a player falls or gets hurt all of the other players stop

and rush to the other player to make sure they are

okay. I have even seen players step out of the way o

those with more difficulty to allow them a chance at a

Why do I agitate? Why do I ask theuncomfortable questions?

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basket. You will never find this type of character in

Washington until we change who we vote for.

7. Special Olympians won't accept payoffs or

corporate money. Really, it's true. If you give most

Special Olympians a chunk of cash, the first thing

they'll try to do is spread it around. Wow, what a

concept!

8. Special Olympians remember your name. Why is

this important? This is true because they have a

sincere interest in you and pay attention. They listen

to everything you say and remember the details

because they truly care. Wouldn't it be great to meet

a Congressman like that?

9. Special Olympians would never make deceptive,

negative attack ads. It's just not in their nature. How

refreshing after this month of nothing but that on theairwaves.

10. Special Olympians judge you by your actions.

They don't judge by your color, abilities,

attractiveness, sexual orientation, what you do for a

career or how much money you make.Brandon was

offended when Lexington mayor, Jim Newberry,

claimed that some people's lives really don't matter

much.

Brandon asks Lexington to write him in for Mayor this

Tuesday if you want an honest person who cares

about this city and will remember each and every one

of your names. (He also asked me to write an article

about Special Olympics).

I hope you take the meaning of this article seriously.

We need to return to the days when a politician was

honest, honorable and could be considered a

'Statesman'. If you've forgotten what it's like to meet

someone with those characteristics, I invite you to

attend a Special Olympics sporting event. What you

will find is a room full of people with the character we

have been lacking in politics for far too long.

This election day, vote for someone with the

characteristics of a Special Olympian. Better yet,

write a Special Olympian in if your choices don't

qualify. If you ever want to talk politics...Brandon will

discuss everything from the economy and the

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10 reasons why you should vote for a special olympian

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