BOB'N'ALONG by Bob Stealey

EDITOR

My friend Stephan Bokey tells me that Jennifer Carlucci, who is the youngest of his oldest sister's three children, has been recognized by Calvert County and the State of Maryland for excellence in the public school system.

She passed along to her family an e-mail that contained a story brought to her by one of her students, titled, "And They Call These People Retarded." It reads as follows:

"A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically- or mentally-disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race and finish to win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry.

"The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned and went back ... every one of them. One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, 'This will make it better.' Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.

"What matters in life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing a course. If you pass this on, we may be able to change our hearts, as well as someone else's."

Exponent and Telegram Editor Bob Stealey can be reached by phone at (304) 626-1438, or by e-mail at rstealey@exponent-telegram.com.