Local Special Olympics parents, coaches see positive in Obama's gaffe

Julia Bagdonas was tuned into Jay Leno Thursday night when President Obama quipped about his bowling skills being "like the Special Olympics or something."

But the Plainfield mom of 31-year-old Robert, a multisport Special Olympics athlete with Down syndrome, didn't get too riled up.

"So many people out there don't understand the Special Olympics," she said. "You know those kind of jokes are accepted in the world. Parents with special needs kids have a lot more to deal with than people making comments."

Julia and Robert spent Saturday afternoon at the Carol Stream Ice Rink, helping current and future Special Olympics coaches earn certification for figure skating.

JoAnn Snyder, who helped run the training seminar, said she doesn't think the President meant "any harm in what he said. He was simply implying he wasn't a good bowler. It wasn't that he was making fun of our athletes."

Snyder, a special recreation manager for Rolling Meadows-based Northwest Suburban Special Recreation Association, said her group and other area special recreation associations on Friday received an official Special Olympics response to the President's comments, written by Chairman Timothy Shriver.

"President Obama called last night and expressed his regret and he apologized," the memo said. "He said that he did not intend to humiliate Special Olympics athletes or people with intellectual disabilities. He was sincere and heartfelt, and said that he is a fan of our movement and is ready to work with our athletes to make the United States a more accepting and welcoming country for all people with special needs."

Shriver called the incident "a teachable moment for our country."

Maybe so, Beth Corso, a coordinator at Addison-based Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association, said, "but did he apologize because his people instructed him to? Is this just a customer service move?"

Ultimately, Bagdonas said, it doesn't matter.

"I think the outcome of this is going to be positive. You hope that because of this, he'll work more with the Special Olympics and special needs children."

Maybe, the President will even pick up a few bowling tips along the way.

Robert, she said, bowled a 120, complete with three strikes, last Friday.

"He could show him a few moves," she laughed.