The March Madness basketball tournament 2016 - hosted by SOBC (Special Olympics of British Columbia)
Our nephew and older daughters have volunteered at this event over the years, and last year I volunteered to take pictures. I was very honoured when I was asked to do so again this year. I hope my photographs have been able to capture the enthusiasm and positive spirit of this tournament.
As the father of a daughter with Down's Syndrome, this event is even more special to me. Within minutes of our youngest daughter being born, the doctors told us that they were sure that she had Down's Syndrome. In an instant, life lead us to a road on which we had never travelled before nor had been expecting to travel.
There was so much to take in. We worried about her future, how the world would treat her and how her siblings would feel about her. These are all concerns that parents of "typical" children also share, but they are exponentially increased when your child has a disability of any kind. Our love for her was never in question, but our fear hung over us like a dark cloud. Gradually, we were able to see past the dark cloud. We knew she would require extra energy and time to achieve milestones, but she would do it. The feeling of community really meant a lot to us then and continues to do so.
The March Madness basketball tournament hosted by the SOBC (Special Olympics of British Columbia) is a perfect example of community. It is an event which showcases the positive traits that exist in us as humans. The athletes all play hard to win, but they also show true sportsmanship by cheering for their opponents and helping anyone who may be injured. It's a place for friends and families to reunite and to meet new faces. Watching these wonderful athletes is proof that if we believe in each other and ourselves and push the barriers out of the way, great things can be achieved.
