Special Olympics let me be myself — a champion | Matthew Williams

譯者: Gentian Pan 審譯者: 易帆 余

Hello.

您好，

My name is Matthew Williams,

我的名字是馬修．威廉姆斯。

and I am a champion.

我是一位冠軍，

I have won medals in three different sports

我獲得了三個不同運動項目的獎牌，

and national games in Canada,

並參加了在加拿大全國賽事舉辦的

competed at the international level in basketball

國際級競爭籃球賽。

and was proud to represent Canada

我很驕傲，可以代表加拿大

on the world stage.

站上世界舞台。

(Applause)

（掌聲）

我每週訓練五天，

I train five days a week for basketball and speed skating,

訓練我的籃球和競速滑雪項目，

work with top quality coaches

我與頂尖的教練及 心理諮詢師一起合作，

and mental performance consultants

to be at my best in my sport.

讓我在運動場上有最佳的表現。

By the way, all that is through Special Olympics.

順便說一下，這些成就 都是特殊奧林匹克運動會的成就。

Does that change the way you think of me

這是否會改變你對我的看法？

and my accomplishments?

以及對我成就的看法？

The world does not see all people like me as champions.

世界上看不到 像我這樣的冠軍得獎者，

Not long ago, people like me were shunned and hidden away.

不久前，像我這樣的人 他們都迴避隱藏起來，

There has been lots of change since Special Olympics began in 1968,

自從1968年開始，有了特奧會後， 其實已經改變了許多

but in too many cases,

但， 有太多的例子可以舉，

people with intellectual disabilities

社會大眾根本無視

are invisible to the wider population.

智力缺陷人士的存在。

People use the r-word in front of me, and they think it doesn't matter.

人們在我面前用 「唾棄的字眼」 形容我 而且他們認為這沒甚麼大不了，

That's the word "retard" or "retarded"

「唾棄的字眼」 的意思就是，用貶低的口氣

used in a derogatory manner.

形容我們「低能」、「智障」。

They're not thinking about how much it hurts me and my friends.

大家其實沒有想過， 這對我和我的朋友傷害有多重。

I don't want you to think I'm here because I'm a charity case.

我不希望你們認為我來這裡 是因為我是個慈善案例，

I am here because there is still a big problem with the way

我在這裡，是因為存在一個大問題，

many people see individuals with intellectual disabilities,

就是，人們看待智能缺陷的方式

or, too often,

或者，經常就是...

how they don't see them at all.

他們是如何的完全 無視他們的存在。

Did you know the World Games happened this year?

你知道今年有舉辦世界運動會嗎？

I was one of over 6,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities

我是6,500位有智能缺陷的運動員之一，

from 165 countries who competed in LA.

大家來自於165個國家 來到洛杉磯競技，

There was over 62,000 spectators watching opening ceremonies,

超過 62,000 人觀看開幕式，

and there was live coverage on TSN and ESPN.

在TSN和ESPN有現場直播，

你們知道這件事嗎？

Did you even know that happened?

What do you think of when you see someone like me?

當你們看到像我這樣的人 你們想到甚麼？

I am here today to challenge you

今天，我在這裡要挑戰各位，

to look at us as equals.

請用平等的方式看待我們，

Special Olympics transforms the self-identity of athletes

特奧會改變了

智力缺陷運動員的自我認同，

with intellectual disabilities

and the perceptions of everyone watching.

以及每個人看我們賽事的想法，

For those of you who aren't familiar,

對於不熟悉的人來說，

Special Olympics is for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

特奧會是為智能缺陷的運動員舉辦，

Special Olympics is separate from the Paralympics and Olympics.

特奧會不同於殘奧會和奧運會

We offer high-quality, year round sports programs

我們提供高品質、全年無休的體育節目

for people with intellectual disabilities

給智能殘缺的人士，

that changes lives and perceptions.

來改變他們的生活及觀念。

This movement has changed my life

這些活動已經改變了我的生命，

and those of so many others.

以及許許多多的其他人。

And it has changed the way

它已經改變了

the world sees people with intellectual disabilities.

世界如何看待智能缺陷人士的方式，

I was born with epilepsy and an intellectual disability.

我出生時就有癲癇與智力缺陷。

長大後，我打曲棍球打到12歲，

Growing up, I played hockey until I was 12 years old.

The older I got, the more I felt

年紀越大，我越覺得

it was harder to keep up with everyone else,

很難跟得上其他人，

and I was angry and frustrated.

我很憤怒和沮喪，

For a while, I did not play any sports,

有一段時間，我沒有參加任何運動、

didn't have many friends

沒有朋友、

and felt left out and sad.

覺得受冷落和傷心。

There was a time when people with intellectual disabilities

曾經有一段時間，智力缺陷人士

were hidden away from society.

從社會上隱藏起來，

No one thought they could participate in sports,

沒有人想到他們能參加運動，

let alone be a valued member of society.

更遑論能在社會上成為有價值的一員，

In the 1960s, Dr. Frank Hayden,

在1960年代，弗蘭克．海登博士，

a scientist at the University of Toronto,

一位在多倫多大學的科學家，

was studying the effects of regular exercise

研究規律的運動對喜憨兒

on the fitness levels of children with intellectual disabilities.

健康狀況的影響，

Using rigorous scientific research,

採用嚴謹的科學研究，

Dr. Hayden and other researchers

海登博士和其他研究人員

came to the conclusion

得出的結論是：

that it was simply the lack of opportunity to participate

這只是缺乏參與的機會，

that caused their fitness levels to suffer.

導致他們的健康狀況受到影響。

Lots of people doubted that people with intellectual disabilities

很多人懷疑智力缺陷人士

could benefit from fitness programs

可從健康計劃和

and sports competition opportunities.

體育比賽的機會中受益，

But pioneers like Dr. Hayden and Eunice Kennedy Shriver,

但像先行者，海登博士和

特奧會的創始人尤妮斯肯尼迪．施萊佛，

the founder of Special Olympics,

persevered,

他們堅持是可以的，

and Special Olympics athletes have proved them right

而特奧運動員已經超過

four and a half million times over.

450萬次以上的證明，他們是對的。

(Applause)

（掌聲）

Before I joined Special Olympics,

在我加入特奧會以前，

I was nervous

我很緊張，

because I was young, shy, not confident

因為我還年輕、害羞、沒自信

and didn't have many friends.

也沒有很多的朋友。

When I got there, though, everyone was very encouraging,

不過，當我到了那裡， 每個人都非常令人鼓舞的、

supportive, and let me be myself

互相支持的，

without being judged.

讓我可以不受批判地做我自己。

Now, I am a basketball player and speed skater

現在，我是籃球員和競速滑雪選手，

who has competed at provincial, national games,

已經參加過省級與國家級的賽事，

and this year made it all the way to the World Summer Games in LA,

一路到今年洛杉磯的世界夏季奧運會。

where I was part of the first ever Canadian basketball team

我是有史以來第一支加拿大籃球隊

to compete at World Games.

參與世界運動會比賽的其中一名球員。

(Applause)

（掌聲）

I am one of more than four and a half million athletes around the globe,

我是全球超過450萬位運動員之一，

and I've heard so many similar stories.

我聽過很多類似的故事。

Being Special Olympics athletes

身為特奧運動員，

restores our pride and dignity.

我恢復了我們的驕傲和尊嚴。

Special Olympics also addresses critical health needs.

特奧會也強調健康需求的重要問題，

Studies have shown that, on average,

已經有研究顯示，一般來說，

men with intellectual disabilities

男性的智力缺陷人士

die 13 years younger than men without,

比一般男性壽命少 13 年；

and women with intellectual disabilities

女性智力缺陷人士則比

die 20 years younger than women without.

一般女性平均壽命少 20 年。

Special Olympics keeps us healthy

特奧會讓我們積極參予運動， 使我們身體保持健康。

by getting us active

and participating in sport.

Also, our coaches teach us about nutrition and health.

此外，我們的教練教我們 營養和健康的知識。

Special Olympics also provides free health screening

特奧會對於與醫生溝通困難的運動員， 還提供免費健康檢查或取得健康照護。

for athletes who have difficulty communicating with their doctor

or accessing health care.

At the 2015 World Summer Games,

在 2015 年世界夏季運動會。

my Team Canada teammates and I played the Nigerian basketball team.

我的加拿大國家隊的隊友和我， 加入奈及利亞籃球隊。

The day before our game,

比賽前一天，

the Nigerian basketball team went to the World Games Healthy Athlete screening,

奈及利亞籃球隊赴世界運動會， 作運動員健康檢查。

where seven of 10 members

其中， 10 員中有 7 員，

were given hearing aids for free

免費獲得助聽器，

and got to hear clearly for the first time.

首次能聽清楚聲音。

(Applause)

（掌聲）

The change in them was amazing.

這對他們造成了驚人的改變。

They were more excited, happy and confident,

他們更興奮快樂與自信，

because their coach could vocally communicate with them.

因為他們與教練可以暢所欲言的溝通了。

And they were emotional

而且他們的情感激動，

because they could hear the sounds of the basketball,

因為他們能聽到籃球的聲音，

the sounds of the whistle

聽到笛子的聲音。

and the cheering fans in the stands --

聽到看台上球迷的歡呼聲，

sounds that we take for granted.

這些我們認為理所當然的聲音。

Special Olympics is transforming more than just the athlete in their sport.

特奧會改變很多，不僅僅是改變運動員，

Special Olympics is transforming their lives off the field.

特奧會也改變他們在場外的生活。

This year, research findings showed

今年，研究結果呈現：

that nearly half of the adults in the US

美國近一半的成年人，

don't know a single person with an intellectual disability,

連一位智力殘疾缺陷人士，都不曾認識過。

and the 44 percent of Americans

而那些44％

連一位智力缺陷人士都不曾接觸過的美國人，

who don't have personal contact with intellectual disabilities

are significantly less accepting and positive.

相當難以接納我們且不夠正面。

Then there's the r-word,

於是他們使用 「唾棄的字眼」，

proving that people with intellectual disabilities

這證明智力缺陷人士， 仍然被太多人視而不見。

are still invisible

to far too many people.

People use it as a casual term or an insult.

人們把它當成隨興的字彙或侮辱。

It was tweeted more than nine million times last year,

在推特上，去年發生多達 9 百萬筆次。

and it is deeply hurtful

它深深地傷害我， 以及這個星球上 450 萬位運動員。

to me and my four and a half million fellow athletes around the planet.

People don't think it's insulting,

人們不認為這是侮辱性的，

but it is.

但它就是。

As my fellow athlete and global messenger John Franklin Stephens wrote

我的同伴運動員，也是全球特派員， 約翰．富蘭克林．斯蒂芬斯

寫了一封公開信給一位 使用「唾棄的字眼」的政要，

in an open letter to a political pundit

who used the r-word as an insult,

告訴他，他的行為是一種污辱。

"Come join us someday at Special Olympics.

「找一天來加入我們特奧會， 看你是否仍然可以帶著不變的心走開 。」

See if you walk away with your heart unchanged."

(Applause)

（掌聲）

This year, at the 2015 World Summer Games,

今年，在 2015 年世界夏季運動會，

people lined up for hours

人們排隊數小時，

to get into the final night of powerlifting competition.

為了觀看最後一晚的舉重比賽。

So it was standing room only when my teammate Jackie Barrett,

因此，座無虛席。 當我的隊友，傑基．巴雷特，

the Newfoundland Moose,

紐芬蘭的「麋鹿」，

deadlifted 655 pounds

推舉項目 655 磅，

and lifted 611 pounds in the squat --

蹲舉項目 611 磅，

(Applause)

（掌聲）

setting huge new records for Special Olympics.

創了特奧會的超級新紀錄。

Jackie is a record holder among all powerlifters in Newfoundland --

傑基是紐芬蘭所有舉重項目 的一位紀錄保持者--

not just Special Olympics, all powerlifters.

不僅在特奧會而已， 且是所有的舉重選手。

Jackie was a huge star in LA,

傑基是洛杉磯的一顆巨大的閃亮明星。

and ESPN live-tweeted his record-breaking lifts

ESPN在推特上現場播報 他的舉重破紀錄，

and were wowed by his performance.

並驚嘆他的表現。

Fifty years ago, few imagined individuals with intellectual disabilities

五十年前，很少有人想像得到， 智力缺陷人士

could do anything like that.

可以做這樣的事情。

This year, 60,000 spectators filled the famous LA Memorial Coliseum

今年 6 萬名觀眾，坐滿了著名的 洛杉磯紀念體育館，

to watch the opening ceremonies of World Games

觀看世界運動會的開幕式，

and cheer athletes from 165 countries

向來自世界各地 165 個國家的運動員歡呼。

around the world.

Far from being hidden away,

別再逃避，

we were cheered and celebrated.

我們被歡呼及喝彩著。

Special Olympics teaches athletes

特奧會教會了運動員：

to be confident and proud of themselves.

自信和自豪。

Special Olympics teaches the world

特奧會教會了全世界：

that people with intellectual disabilities

智力缺陷人士是值得尊重和包容的。

deserve respect and inclusion.

(Applause)

（掌聲）

Now, I have dreams and achievements in my sport,

現在我擁有夢想，擁有運動成就感，

great coaches,

擁有優秀的教練，

respect and dignity,

擁有尊重和尊嚴，

更健康，

better health,

and I am pursuing a career as a personal trainer.

而且我正在追求成為私人教練的事業。

(Applause)

（掌聲）

I am no longer hidden, bullied

我不再逃避或被霸凌，

and I am here doing a TED Talk.

而我現在就在這裡做 TED 演講。（掌聲）

(Applause)

The world is a different place because of Special Olympics,

世界是因為特奧會而改變，

but there is still farther to go.

但仍有更長遠的路要走。

So the next time you see someone with an intellectual disability,

所以下次你看到智力缺陷人士時，

I hope you will see their ability.

我希望您會看到他們的能力，

The next time someone uses the r-word near you,

下一次，有人在你旁邊使用「 唾棄的字眼」時，

I hope you will tell them how much it hurts.

我希望您能告訴他們，這樣是多麼地傷人。

I hope you will think about getting involved with Special Olympics.

我希望您也能想想來參加特奧會。

(Applause)

（掌聲）

I would like to leave you with one final thought.

最後離開前，我想告訴各位，

Nelson Mandela said,

曼德拉說：

"Sports has the power to change the world."

「 體育有力量改變世界。」

Special Olympics is changing the world

特奧會透過 450 萬位 運動員的褪變，改變了世界。

by transforming four and a half million athletes

and giving us a place to be confident,

給了我們一個展現自信的地方，

meet friends,

交朋友，

not be judged

不受批判，

and get to feel like and be champions.

並感受和成為冠軍。

Thank you very much.

非常感謝！

(Applause)

（掌聲）