Tori Conklin: Post 4

In my two years at Rhodes, I have become heavily involved with the Lynx Club, a program of Special Olympics Greater Memphis. Each week, Rhodes volunteers and Special Olympics athletes meet on equal footing for rounds of basketball, kickball, and other sports; I have had the responsibility of serving as the connection between Rhodes, Kinney, and the Special Olympics. The athletes have opened my eyes to the world of those living with physical and intellectual disabilities and the challenges they overcome every day. But more than that, they have allowed me to be witness to their Ability. The relationships I formed with the athletes in Lynx Club made it clear that the Special Olympics was the ideal location for my summer of service.

Over the summer, I spent the majority of my time organizing our annual week-long Lynx Summer Camp held at Rhodes College. My supervisor and I decided to take the camp away from its original direction towards a more educational one; our theme was Around the World. Every day, we held a short learning session on each country with our worksheets and crafts fitting into the theme of the day as well. We also took the athletes on various field trips around Memphis. While we wanted them to learn about the broader world and cultures around them, we felt it was important for the athletes to understand the city in which they live. The majority of the athletes will never have the opportunity to visit areas outside of Memphis due to the financial strain on their families as well as the accommodations that must be made for their disabilities. Because of this, Special Olympics strives to expose the athletes to as many attractions in Memphis as possible. In addition to the Lynx Summer Camp, I also assisted in the planning of our annual Wine and Dine fundraiser.

            Through the Summer Service Fellowship, I have learned the value of the Memphis community’s interactions with Special Olympic athletes. I believe this interaction brings unity to the communities the athletes touch with their hearts and souls while also making Memphis more aware of the specific needs of the people and families Special Olympics seeks to serve. I have truly enjoyed my experience this summer with my own service, but the Summer Service Fellowship has opened my eyes to the much broader issues non-profits seek to correct through the stories of the other fellows and our weekly discussions. My personal growth in service has also changed drastically. Before the Fellowship, I was accustomed to service in conjunction with leadership; the two were inseparable. However, after my experience with the Lynx Summer Camp, I have found that service has little place for leadership. Volunteers must work as a unit for things to run smoothly, and while often there is a catalyst for certain ideas, that catalyst never proves to be the same person. For this, I am thankful.