Chapter 5: SOME PEOPLE DO BAD THINGS.

FRIENDSHIP; PEOPLE with intellectual disabilities; INTERPERSONAL relations; SPORTS for people with intellectual disabilities; SOCIAL interaction; SPORTS tournaments; DEVELOPMENTAL disabilities

Special Olympics are a wonderful place, not only because it provides exercise and confidence, but also because it is a place where people can get together and have fun. Sometimes it is difficult for people with mental retardation and other forms of disabilities to make friends. For many people, before joining Special Olympics, their only friends are family members. Friends are just as important to people with mental retardation as to anybody else. Some people especially like Special Olympics because they are able to meet friends who are like themselves. Although one may find comfort by spending time with people like oneself, it is not always good for people to only have friends who are like themselves. People who are mentally retarded can be good friends.