WHAT THE HAL?? PODCAST 2.0 – EPISODE 10: Special Olympics — The Power of Inclusion Through Sports
WHAT THE HAL?? PODCAST 2.0 – EPISODE 10
Special Olympics — The Power of Inclusion Through Sports
Inclusion, community, and the life-changing impact of sports are at the center of this conversation about the Special Olympics.
In this episode, Hal Eisner, Elsa Ramon, and Hunter Lowry discuss how Special Olympics programs create opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities through sports, support systems, and community engagement.
From healthcare partnerships and sensory-friendly environments to volunteerism and major upcoming competitions, this episode explores how inclusion through sports can strengthen both individuals and communities.
KEY TOPICS
• The difference between the Special Olympics and Paralympics
• How Special Olympics programs support inclusion and belonging
• Brandon’s experience as a multi-sport athlete
• The importance of mental health, confidence, and social connection
• Volunteer support, coaching, and healthcare partnerships
• Sensory-friendly spaces and accessibility at events
• The impact of social media and digital platforms on inclusion efforts
• Upcoming Special Olympics events and competitions
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Original Theme Music Composed by Stuart Pearson
https://stuartpearsonmusic.com
Listen to previous episodes
https://audioboom.com/channels/4960408-what-the-hal
RESOURCES & LINKS
https://sosc.org
https://2026speciallympicsusagames.org
CONNECT
Hal Eisner
https://instagram.com/haleisner/
https://facebook.com/haleisner/
https://x.com/HalEisner
Elsa Ramon
https://instagram.com/elsamramon/
https://x.com/ElsaMRamon
Hunter Lowry
https://instagram.com/serendipitychick/
Transcript
We've got the World cup coming up.
Speaker A:We've got the Olympics coming up.
Speaker A:We've got the Paralympics coming up.
Speaker A:But for the last 60 years we've had the Special Olympics.
Speaker A:That's different and that's our topic.
Speaker A:This is what the hell.
Speaker A:Smart, fresh and uplifting.
Speaker A:We've got the stories that make you want to say what the hell.
Speaker A:Joining us for this edition are Tammy Adams with United Healthcare Southern California.
Speaker A:She's the CEO.
Speaker A:Kelly Pone is also CEO.
Speaker A:She's the CEO and president of Special Olympic Southern California.
Speaker A:And Brandon Harrington is an athlete in the program.
Speaker A:Elsa Ramon, my partner here, take it away.
Speaker B:First of all, thank you all for being here with us today.
Speaker B:I know you've got this big event coming up and I know probably every minute of your time is being invested in that and getting it off the ground.
Speaker B:We're talking about about Special Olympics and I think there is a tendency for people to kind of commingle it with the Paralympics.
Speaker B:But can you make the distinction for us on what the difference is between the two and how long the Special Olympics have have been around?
Speaker C:Sure.
Speaker C:I'll jump in and talk about Special Olympics.
Speaker C:Thank you so much for having us.
Speaker C:And we're in a really exciting time, so hopefully we'll be able to talk a little bit about our USA Games competition coming up here in the middle of June.
Speaker C:But Special Olympics is a year round sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Speaker C:So our athletes are of all ages.
Speaker C:They train and compete in all different sports for all different abilities.
Speaker C:We also have pro programs where unified programs where individuals with and without intellectual disabilities compete on the same team together.
Speaker C:And so a common misconception in addition to the difference between Paralympics is also this idea that Special Olympics is just one big event a year when actually here in Southern California we have over 30,000 participants from San Luis Obispo down to San Diego that are training and competing in schools in their communities every day.
Speaker C:This month alone we have over 13 competitions happening in different communities across Southern California.
Speaker C:So and you'll get to hear from Brandon, who is a longtime Special Olympics Southern California athlete.
Speaker C:We were just talking about how he's competing in softball this weekend in Southern California.
Speaker C:We have our championship spring competition Summer Games which is June 6th, 7th and 8th at Cal State Long Beach.
Speaker C:And then in June, participants from across the United States will be coming together to compete at USA Games in Minnesota, which is a really exciting opportunity.
Speaker C:It happens every four years.
Speaker C:And then we also have special events we World Games that happens every two years A summer in a winter world game.
Speaker C:So we have all levels of competition, but we also are training and competing locally every day in every community, and we're 100% free to the athletes and their families.
Speaker A:Well, you know, we'll catch up with Brandon here in a second.
Speaker A:And Tammy, I'm not ignoring you at all.
Speaker A:We're going to get to you in a second as well.
Speaker A:But I want to be sure to acknowledge that Hunter Lowery, who's our producer and also another one of our co hosts, is not with us today.
Speaker A:She's got herself a little sniffle, so she.
Speaker A:She really couldn't join us.
Speaker A:But I hope you feel better, Hunter.
Speaker A:And as far as competition, you know, Brandon, you're.
Speaker A:You're one of many young people who benefit from this program.
Speaker A:Do I have this right?
Speaker A:You're a softball player?
Speaker D:My dad.
Speaker D:I do way up softball.
Speaker D:You know, they.
Speaker D:I have.
Speaker D:Right now, I have a lot of people playing softball with me.
Speaker D:You know, I got.
Speaker D:We got a new same person on paper with.
Speaker D:You know, I did it so far.
Speaker D:I do 25 years.
Speaker D:You know, I did have.
Speaker D:Well, I'll play my friends.
Speaker D:We'll play softball every weekend.
Speaker D:On Sunday, we process.
Speaker D:Every weekend?
Speaker D:Yes.
Speaker A:How important.
Speaker A:How important is this program to you?
Speaker D:For me, for pressure Olympics.
Speaker D:I do 38 years for pressure Olympics and I love it.
Speaker A:Yeah, that's terrific.
Speaker A:I can understand that.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker B:Brandon, I just wanted to ask, so everyone knows, what position do you play?
Speaker B:And, and, you know, in all of your years of competing, how many medals do you have up in your room?
Speaker B:Probably a lot.
Speaker B:And, you know, tell me a little bit about that.
Speaker B:I want to hear what position you play.
Speaker D:Okay.
Speaker D:I'll pad third.
Speaker D:You know, this is a hot corner for me.
Speaker D:I do have big arms, you know, duty.
Speaker D:I'm straight.
Speaker D:You know, I will grab the ball, flip it to the first.
Speaker D:Now grab it.
Speaker D:Boom.
Speaker D:And I get personnel.
Speaker B:So you're the arm.
Speaker B:You're the strong arm.
Speaker A:When I was a kid, I was a catcher in little league, so.
Speaker A:So, Brandon, here, throw one.
Speaker A:Come on.
Speaker A:Here you go.
Speaker D:Okay.
Speaker A:Throw a hard one right here.
Speaker D:I. I do.
Speaker D:I do that.
Speaker D:I got a light.
Speaker D:Gold medals.
Speaker D:I won.
Speaker D:I got all of.
Speaker D:I got basketball, bowling, bocce, all of them in my room.
Speaker D:I think I got diddy minutes.
Speaker D:Minutes.
Speaker D:Good minutes.
Speaker D:I won at Hokohama.
Speaker D:I did play par in Hokohama.
Speaker D:I did swimming in podiera, Oklahoma, in here, California.
Speaker D:I did five things.
Speaker D:Softball, bowling ball, chee and basketball.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker E:So you play.
Speaker B:You're A multi talented athlete.
Speaker B:You do a lot of different sports and you basically keep pretty active.
Speaker D:Yeah, and then I do, I do walk out.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker A:Well, you know, Tammy is a multi talented executive.
Speaker A:She's with United Healthcare and, and they support this program.
Speaker A:And Tammy, why don't you kind of weigh in here on what you see as the importance of this particular program.
Speaker A:Obviously, you know, you folks deal with a lot of different kinds of programs, but is this one particularly close to your heart?
Speaker E:It certainly is.
Speaker E:So UnitedHealthcare has been a longtime supporter and sponsor of the Special Olympics.
Speaker E:So it's such an honor to be here with Kelly today and also with Brandon, who we represent and so happy to see the success of this program and the long lasting impact that it has.
Speaker E:Because if you think about Special Olympics, it's more than just visibility.
Speaker E:It's the inclusion, the involvement, it's the, it's helping these young athletes feel a part of something as big as the Olympics.
Speaker E:And the Special Olympics brings that to life.
Speaker E:Absolutely.
Speaker A:You know, Elsa, we recently had a podcast on other disability issues.
Speaker A:With regard to those on the spectrum and other sort of things, inclusion really is a big deal, isn't it?
Speaker A:You know, this is something I know you care very deeply about.
Speaker B:Absolutely.
Speaker B:My daughter is dhd.
Speaker B:She's autistic and adhd.
Speaker B:She is brilliant student.
Speaker B:She just wrapped up her associate's degree and she's gonna walk in ceremonies next week.
Speaker B:She's graduating with high honors just like she did with high school.
Speaker B:She's a brilliant writer and she's witty and she's funny and smart and she's got a good group of friends that she talks with every day.
Speaker B:And, and there she goes.
Speaker B:She just waved by to me.
Speaker B:She's taken off.
Speaker B:She's going to downtown Burbank to go do her thing.
Speaker B:But, but anyway, you know, and I always joke with her.
Speaker C:Bye Bug.
Speaker B:That's her nickname.
Speaker B:By the way.
Speaker B:Don't, don't tell anyone, okay.
Speaker B:Because that might embarrass her.
Speaker C:She's 22.
Speaker B:But I always tell her that she's just totally fit to be a late night show writer because she's witty, quick and funny.
Speaker B:But yes, these types of organizations and events and highlighting are really close to my heart.
Speaker B:So I just have tremendous respect for.
Speaker B:Brandon, your dedication to training.
Speaker B:Because to be an athlete like you, who is very capable in several different events takes a lot of commitment and follow through and time.
Speaker B:And those things are important in the big picture in life.
Speaker B:So, you know, that's, that's something I definitely Commend you on, because there's a reason I am not an athlete, not a reason, many reasons why I'm not an athlete.
Speaker B:But, but, but, you know, that's.
Speaker B:That's something that you shouldn't take lightly because those skills and that commitment and dedication applies to so many areas in life, not just your sports.
Speaker B:So congratulations to you for showing that commitment your whole life.
Speaker D:Thanks.
Speaker D:I do.
Speaker A:I want to, want to, want to stay on inclusion for a second, though, if we could.
Speaker A:And Kelly, let me have you kind of pop in on this one, because I think, you know, when we talk about, you know, young people growing up and being included in things, it's almost like a foregone conclusion.
Speaker A:It's not something that seems special.
Speaker A:It's just something we do.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:But then when it comes to those who have special needs, inclusion is a big deal.
Speaker A:And can you kind of put that in perspective for us in addition to what Elsa was saying?
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:And actually, I was just watching a video of one of our.
Speaker C:One of Brandon's fellow athletes, Dustin Plunkett, talking to an elementary school about his experience growing up.
Speaker C:And as someone that people looked at as different, he was telling all of these young students that when he was their age, he was bullied, he was called stupid.
Speaker C:He was, you know, asked what's wrong with him.
Speaker C:And what was so powerful is, to be honest, whether anyone in the audience had any kind of a disability or not, you saw the kids understanding that kids, you know, at that age, there was probably many people in that room that also had been called names.
Speaker C:Right.
Speaker C:And then Dustin talked about how as young kids, what you can do is just, if you see someone sitting by themselves at lunch, just invite them to join you.
Speaker C:So he brought his experience and talked about what, as kids, you can do differently at an early age to kind of curb the path of exclusion or people feeling excluded.
Speaker C:And so I think it goes to more than just individuals with disabilities.
Speaker C:I think that it's something.
Speaker C:This is like one example of what a lot of people have in common that you don't even realize is that feeling of exclusion.
Speaker C:And that's the beauty also, when you're talking about your daughter and your passion for this, when we're talking about our unified champion school programs, it's at a young age, bringing the general ed and kids alongside special ed students, that they're coming together for a unified club or unified PE or unified sport, and they're realizing, like, hey, we have a lot more in common and.
Speaker C:And we're.
Speaker C:And they're celebrating Differences rather than making it seem like there's something wrong to be different, because everybody has something to celebrate about them and how they show up.
Speaker C:And you have general ed students that are a part of the Unified program saying the Unified Club is their favorite place to be on campus because it's the one place where they could actually be themselves and not feel judged and just feel seen.
Speaker C:And so it is really powerful.
Speaker C:Athletes like Brandon and Dustin and so many others just are role models and examples for how we can all be more inclusive.
Speaker C:And I will say just when we can have Tammy speak to it as well, because in addition to inclusion, Special Olympics also is the largest provider of access to health care for people with intellectual disabilities, because there's a lot of barriers to that experience for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Speaker C:And United Healthcare is an incredible partner to our organization, to USA Games as a part of the volunteer experience that we still rely on.
Speaker C:And so I know Tammy can speak to a lot of the special health features that they're helping make possible at USA Games as well.
Speaker C:And that's a critical aspect of the work that we do.
Speaker E:Sure.
Speaker E:Happy to jump in.
Speaker E:So, as Kelly indicated, our support goes well beyond the visibility.
Speaker E:Right.
Speaker E:Visibility is great, working together in the partnership.
Speaker E:But really where we step in at UnitedHealthcare is to enhance the athlete experience when it comes to health access and inclusion.
Speaker E:And so what does that really mean?
Speaker E:So, as Kelly indicated, we're providing health navigators.
Speaker E:So through the entire training experience to the point to they compete, we have health navigators for them and their families to help support them, whatever they may need.
Speaker E:There are things that can occur during the time of training that they might need some additional health care support.
Speaker E:So we will have that health navigator support.
Speaker E:The other thing that I think is key when we talk about inclusion is really understanding the audience, and that is supporting sensory friendly space.
Speaker E:I'll say that again.
Speaker E:Sensory friendly space.
Speaker E:What does that mean?
Speaker E:That means space that allows athletes like Brandon and others, when they want to just pull back a little bit, might be a little overstimulated, which we can all appreciate that.
Speaker E:Right.
Speaker E:And need to take a moment for pause and have a calm surrounding.
Speaker E:So part of what we're working towards at UnitedHealthcare is developing those spaces at the training camps and at the Games, so the athletes have that space, again, not only for healthcare, but also for extended support.
Speaker E:So together, those upgrades are very thoughtful, really centering around the special needs of our athletes to make them very much feel included.
Speaker B:I love that because sensory issues are so much a Part of a lot of disabilities, whether people are on the spectrum or intellectual disabilities or physical disabilities, that private time and that quiet space can change their entire day and reset, offer a chance to reset and kind of recalibrate and rein everything in from being overstimulated.
Speaker B:So that's, that's wonderful.
Speaker B:I certainly understand that with a daughter on the spectrum and how's.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker B:He asked about inclusion and I went off on this tangent about how awesome my daughter is.
Speaker B:I switched into mom mode.
Speaker B:But, but, but I'd like to add.
Speaker A:Yeah, yeah, for whatever it's worth, her daughter is awesome.
Speaker A:So I just.
Speaker B:Yeah, she is.
Speaker B:But it.
Speaker B:Inclusion, I'd like to add and suggest that it plays a big part in mental health too.
Speaker B:Because anyone, no matter where you are in life or what challenges you have, if you feel like you're not included and you're actively excluded and that's your day to day life and you're bullied and you're constantly told maybe you're not enough or why can't you do this?
Speaker B:And that severely impacts mental health.
Speaker B:I don't see how anyone could be impervious to that.
Speaker B:So the more that we practice inclusion with everybody, I think we have better mental health outcomes and more understanding and it just makes life better for people when you do that.
Speaker B:So anyone listening to this podcast, hopefully they come away with some of the things from this podcast and hopefully one of them is the importance of inclusion on mental health and making people feel like they belong because everybody wants to feel like they be belong.
Speaker B:And if we focus on that, I think, you know, I hate to sound very kumbaya about it.
Speaker B:Excuse me, but you know, life would be a little bit better for all of us if we just kind of kept that in mind.
Speaker A:Well, I mean, and just piggybacking off of that, you know, back when you started with Special Olympics or your organization started, because I know that you're much younger than the age of your Special Olympics, but I think that, you know, it's good I got a smile out of you.
Speaker A:I think it's important to note that back then we didn't have social media.
Speaker A:We didn't have the sort of things that make people feel tense and awkward and, and, and the kind of bullying that goes on on social media that can affect young people, especially those who have special needs.
Speaker A:And I, you know, I sort of wonder in today's world, which is, you know, quite, quite substantially different, is it also quite substantially different to try to help keep everybody uplifted?
Speaker C:Well, I think we're very lucky as an organization that our mission is about lifting people up and helping people be the best that they can be.
Speaker C:And so what I would say is for anyone that is looking for that sense of belonging or a place to be or be surrounded by others that want to push you to be your best, that there's a place for you at Special Olympics.
Speaker C:We talked a little bit earlier about how critical volunteers are in Southern California.
Speaker C:We are actually not even just in Southern California.
Speaker C:Across Special Olympics, we rely on volunteer coaches and volunteers and so many of our functions to run our programs.
Speaker C:But our coaches are volunteers and they're the ones spending time directly with the athletes, providing that support at practice each week, being alongside them and encouraging them and coaching them at competitions.
Speaker C:And then in addition to the coaches, they have volunteers that help put on the competitions or even come out and be a stand in the stand so that you can help those athletes feel encouraged as they're working to cross the finish line or push themselves to be the best that they can be.
Speaker C:And so there is a spot for anyone that wants to be a part of this incredible mission and the inspiration and courage of our athletes.
Speaker C:Our number one need here in Southern California is to recruit more coaches and team volunteers so you don't have to have experience in a particular sport.
Speaker C:We provide all of that training and support for you if you're interested in learning how to, how to become a coach.
Speaker C:But Brandon might be able to speak to like what it means to him to have volunteers out there cheering him on, supporting him or, or something meaningful he's learned from one of his coaches.
Speaker A:Yeah, what's that like, Brandon?
Speaker D:That's one.
Speaker D:You know my coaches.
Speaker D:You know Diddy.
Speaker D:I do.
Speaker D:I got that coach.
Speaker D:I got right now Canada crutches.
Speaker D:My top 14 is the Kennedy Crushers.
Speaker D:It's my team.
Speaker D:The coach Didi.
Speaker D:My dad is my coach of my team.
Speaker D:I'm glad that I have my dad with me.
Speaker D:And Dave is my head coach.
Speaker D:P is my coach.
Speaker D:And Timmy, we got two teams.
Speaker D:Oh, two.
Speaker D:Two Timmies is my dad and Timmy is coach.
Speaker D:And we got pillow.
Speaker D:We got four coach now I'm glad we got four coaches is going to Minnesota with us.
Speaker D:To my athlete.
Speaker D:I'll tell you guys after I tell you guys after the that four approach.
Speaker D:Teach us how to process every weekend.
Speaker D:Eat good.
Speaker D:You know the three things my coach Dave, three things.
Speaker D:Be safe, play hard, play safe, work hard.
Speaker D:And these are three things we need to focus on.
Speaker D:We are in the field, we are out of field.
Speaker D:We are one team.
Speaker E:And I'll tell you personal experience.
Speaker E:So we've had volunteers across UnitedHealthcare helping across the country, right from Southern California, Tennessee, New York, supporting the training camps, personally getting involved.
Speaker E:I'll tell you, athletes like Brandon, it's so easy to help because they tell you what to do.
Speaker E:They tell you exactly the support that they need while you're on the field.
Speaker E:So I got the opportunity to help track and field.
Speaker E:And.
Speaker E:And I'll tell you, those young athletes told me exactly where to stand, how to time and what I needed to do.
Speaker E:So I so appreciated that.
Speaker E:They just needed the extra support and hands.
Speaker E:And then they wanted us to get louder at the finish line.
Speaker E:So using these lungs of mine along with my team and again across the country, we've done a lot of that, a lot of cheerleading.
Speaker C:So that's been awesome.
Speaker D:Just fun.
Speaker D:Part.
Speaker D:My.
Speaker D:My natio.
Speaker D:She's my NATO is the 13th I got.
Speaker D:Yes.
Speaker D:I am the huckababa with my beautiful niece and my niece, my nephew.
Speaker D:Both of them passports sitting out.
Speaker D:I do.
Speaker D:My niece played volleyball.
Speaker D:She's a good volleyball player.
Speaker D:And my nephew, Diddy, I see him yesterday.
Speaker D:My nephew, dude.
Speaker D:See then.
Speaker D:Frag football, tag football and tear judge.
Speaker D:At least all two monies in my nephew.
Speaker D:I bless fam.
Speaker D:Passports sitting.
Speaker D:I do.
Speaker B:Family.
Speaker A:I'm gonna.
Speaker A:I'm gonna.
Speaker A:I'm gonna bust in there because, you know, we have a little time issue here.
Speaker A:But, you know, I'd like.
Speaker A:I'd like to, Kelly, give you an opportunity to give us all your website and where people can get more information as we begin to wrap this up.
Speaker C:Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker C:You can go to sosc.org for information on Special Olympics Southern California.
Speaker C: bout USA Games, you can go to: Speaker A:All right?
Speaker A:All right.
Speaker A:Very good, Brandon.
Speaker A:Thank you, Tammy.
Speaker A:Thank you, Kelly.
Speaker A:Thank you, Elsa.
Speaker A:Thank you.
Speaker A:And Howard, wish you could have joined us today, but please feel better.
Speaker A:And that's it for this edition.
Speaker A:Thank you.
Speaker A:And that's what the how 2.0.
Speaker A:I'm Hal Eisner, along with Elsa Ramone and Hunter Lowery.
Speaker A:This podcast is produced by Hunter.
Speaker A:Jamie Knapp is our technical director, editor, and he handles all of the post production.
Speaker A:Our original theme music is composed by Stuart Pearson.
Speaker A:Earlier versions of the podcast were produced at the studios of Fox 11 in Los Angeles and are available through the link in our show Notes.
Speaker A:This version of the podcast is available on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Speaker A:And what the hell.
Speaker A:2.0 Is produced in Los Angeles, California.
