By Lori Leath Smith

Local Special Olympics Florida founder Charlie McFarland has something in common with Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics iconic national founder. Like Eunice, Charlie believes in the spirit and souls of those who have special needs. Even though Charlie passed the “baton”,for 40 years he committed himself to helping our local athletes pursue their dreams.

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Charlie remembers when it all began: In 1968, 20 students from Silver Sands School in Ft. Walton Beach attended a national special needs athletic competition established by the Kennedy Foundation. By May 1970, with still no organized sports for special needs athletes in our area, a state game was held in Ft. Walton Beach through the Foundation and 250 athletes from throughout Florida participated. Two months later a state team of 50 Florida athletes, along with 950 additional athletes from the U.S. and Canada, traveled to the first Special Olympics competition held at Chicago’s Soldier Field, the national Special Olympics birthplace founded in 1968. Since then, Okaloosa County has sent delegates to USA, National and World Games. “At first,” says Charlie, “all games were held at one time each year. But, later, due to the increase in the number of participants and the desire for the athletes to compete in different sports, Special Olympics became summer and winter, and then year-round.” The first Florida Winter Games were hosted in Ft. Walton Beach by Eglin Air Force Base.

“In 1985, there was an athlete that wanted to participate in winter games. So, we went to Boone, N.C., and he won a gold medal in Alpine Skiing! He had never skied before, yet won the gold!” chuckled Charlie. “In the early days, we had some celebrities, such the vocal band Alabama, Reba McIntyre, Mickey Mantle and others who assisted me with funding to help Special Olympics get started here,” says Charlie. “We also have the only non-military flag in the world that has flown into space aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1985!”

Special Olympics Walton-Okaloosa County provides year-round sports training and competition to children and adults with and without intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athlete nor the unified partner. “Locally we offer 18 different sports to athletes ages 8 and up helping to develop their fine and gross motor skills, showcase their talents and help achieve physical fitness—the best of all—athletes never age out,” says Pamela. Local athlete, Ann James, age 61, won her first Gold Medal in 1969 in S.C. and 50 years later she just won another Gold Medal at State Swim this past October. “Special Olympics is their life! With multiple teams per sport, it’s not one event, but sports, games and competitions that occur almost 365 days a year,” Pamela says. “And research shows athletes achieve better academics, gain self-esteem and life skills necessary to be productive, respected and contributing members of our community with increased public awareness of their capabilities and needs.” Currently 510 athletes in Okaloosa County compete in Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cheerleading, Cycling, Flag Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Pickleball, Powerlifting, Soccer, Softball, Stand Up Paddle, Surfing, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball and soon to offer Equestrian. Each sports season lasts approximately three to four months with at least eight weeks of training and three levels of competition: County, Area and State Games.

In summer of 2022, Disney World will officially host the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Summer of 2022. “This event will mark the largest humanitarian event in Florida’s history!” says Pamela. “Additionally, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics Florida!”

Special Olympics never charges for participation regardless of demographics or economics. “We provide everything from water, uniforms, equipment, transportation, food and lodging,” says Pamela. “Locally we’re not government funded; we depend on individual and corporate contributions and fundraising; so, every dollar matters and volunteers are vital as we have no paid staff.”

“Fifty years ago, few knew the potential hiding within people with intellectual disabilities,” says Pamela. “Today, our community can witness our athletes thriving, not only on the playing field, but also throughout the community. For more information please visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org/walton or/Okaloosa.

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