Special Olympics medal won by Ricardo Thornton

Description (Brief):

Special Olympics medal won for third place in a track event by Ricardo Thornton at the USA National Games in Nebraska in 2010. Ricardo Thornton (b. 1959) lived for 20 years in an institution, placed there by his family in the early 1960s. He learned to play sports and met his future wife, Donna, there. He and Donna, both wards of the District of Columbia, had to fight to get married in 1984. After they married, they left the institution, had a son, and now have grandchildren. Thornton has worked most of his adult life while continuing to compete in sports.

Description (Brief)

From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation builds confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”