Nothing but a terrific true story

["Ruth Ambrose" <greyhorserider@hotmail.com>]

A friend sent me this great story and I thought I'd pass it on to all of 
you. It seems to go along with the spirit of our sport.


>A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all
>physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the
>100-yard dash.
>
>At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a
>relish to run the race to the finish and win.  All, that is, except one
>little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and
>began to cry.
>
>The other eight heard the boy cry.  They slowed down and looked back.
>Then they all turned around and went back....every one of them.  One
>girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This
>will make it better."  Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the
>finish line.  Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for
>several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story.
>
>Why?  Because deep down we know this one thing:  What matters in this
>life is more than winning for ourselves.  What matters in this life is
>helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our
>course.
>
>If you pass this on, we may be able to change our hearts as well as
>someone else's....
>
>"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle"



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