Lorna Bell, executive director of Special Olympics Jamaica, points to a picture taken overseas at a Special Olympics event. She explained that many Jamaicans do not realise that the teams draw large crowds when they compete. - photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

It's that time again when Flair previews the nominees for our annual Vision Award. This year's nominees are Lorna Bell, executive director of Special Olympics Jamaica; Maia Chung-Smith, founder of Maia Chung Autism and Disabilities Foundation; Winsome Wilkins, president and chief executive officer, United Way of Jamaica; Dr Cecile Walden, principal of Sam Sharpe Teachers' College; and Caroline Miles of Seaforth High School in St Thomas.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so it goes without saying that a host of them will tell a vivid story. Lorna Bell's office walls do just that.

When you step into the unassuming space, on the compound of the National Arena, almost every conceivable wall is covered with pictures.

This tells of the executive director of the Special Olympics Jamaica's love for sports, her commitment to children, friends and her faith.

She proudly showcases the Special Olympians at various international events. In one of the pictures, she smiles while standing beside Olympian Asafa Powell. Another is an image of Jesus; she is a devout Roman Catholic.

But in the midst of the colour photographs is a simple, letter-size paper with a pencil drawing of a stick figure, below which reads: 'I love you Miss Bell. Thanks for paying my school fee.'

Bell loves every aspect of her job. Her association with the Special Olympics began in 1999 when she was involved with another volunteer group, the Kiwanis Club. Then while working at the Mustard Seed Communities with disadvantaged children, she was offered this position twice before making the move. Now, through the organisation, she offers the benefits of sports, an experience to which she can attest, to children with intellectual disabilities.

"Just being with the athletes, just seeing them come around and hug, smile. When you listen to their stories it encourages you so much that you just want to continue giving and continue growing," said Bell.

Norman Gardens

She grew up in East Kingston, in the Norman Gardens community. She attended Holy Rosary Preparatory School and her life-long love affair with sports began when she attended Convent of Mercy (Alpha Academy).

"During my time at Alpha I think I played almost every sport," said Bell, this included tennis, representing Jamaica, and cricket, netball and athletics.

She attributes the person she has become to sports. "As I tell everybody, I would not have married anyone who wasn't into sports." Her husband is Winthorpe 'Jackie' Bell, a well-known football coach who died in a tragic accident in 1986.

Both parents encouraged their now-adult daughters to participate in sports.

Today she passes on those benefits to the Special Olympians. Earlier this year the Jamaican team participated in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, in the United States of America. Monique Brown won a silver and two bronze medals, while a gold and fourth-place ribbon went to Richard Hillary. This was in addition to Jamaica's gold in floor hockey.

"Although I didn't go with the team I felt a sense of accomplishment bearing in mind that these athletes went away and performed on ice. So you have to understand the work that was put in to get them where they are and imagine beating Canada, which always won the competition. When you hear these stories you realise you can't give up, you have to continue with them," Bell said.

Challenges

One of the challenges involved in working with individuals with intellectual disabilities is the patience it takes.

"They can't keep focused for more than 15 or 20 minutes. So repetition is what is really important in our training and the patience that you have to have with them, and the love," Bell said.

The success of these athletes depends on about 700 volunteers including medical professionals like clinicians, audiologists, opthalmologists, dental professionals and nutritionists.

She believes that apart from the satisfaction the athletes get from the programme, it builds character as it does for the average athlete.

"Sports is the greatest vehicle to build a nation and build your character."

One of the misconceptions she would like Jamaicans to erase about Special Olympians is that their disabilities are visible, like those of paralympians.

"With Special Olympics, 90 per cent of the time you cannot see it unless they have Down's syndrome or are autistic. But you find adults aged 20 behaving like 10-year-olds because their brains are not fully developed," said Bell.

The organisation recently started a young athletes' programme where children as young as three can get involved in sports which helps with their coordination while having fun.

"I'm so proud that Jamaica is the only country in the Caribbean that has this programme and one of nine countries in the world that has started it," Bell said.

She believes that through perseverance these athletes can achieve and she'll keep showing her love for them on her office walls.