Bank of America’s Disability Advocacy Network [DAN] invited 50 employees to join the Special Olympics Bowling team and other Special Olympians for a night at Frames Bowling Lounge in Manhattan. We split into lanes of around 8 each and played a couple rounds, plus food and drink.
For about 2 hours we mingled, bowled, and photo-op-ed with around 40 Special Olympians.
In my lane was Victoria, Elvis, and William along with three other coworkers, Emily, Jason, John [thank you preset bowling names.]
I spent a lot of energy challenging myself to be “on”. I felt like interaction with the athletes and genuine camaraderie was the order of the night.
However, it was quite easy to feed off the room, as people were extremely energetic, positive, and generous. Honestly it was quite a blessing to be in such a joyous room. The background would constantly explode into cheers, high fives, and encouragement at literally everyone. It was so abundant and present that I was awash in goodwill.
Food being brought out also helped!
My colleagues were joyful and rambunctious, and the athletes were kind, patient, polite, engaging, and receptive. We made a beautiful room, shared wonderful conversations, and generally were very bad at bowling. Or maybe that last part was just me, as I think I threw 8 or 9 gutter balls and maybe totaled 60 points. There was a lane for the more serious bowlers, they were in the high 100’s and low 200’s when I watched for a round.
But winning wasn’t the point, right?!
[Although, I admit with some embarrassment that I was trying to be better than that… I am not good at bowling. Could definitely use some practice…]
I really enjoyed getting to know more about the athletes, seeing a more relaxed side of my coworkers, and just having a grand ol’ time, including starting a chant of Gary’s name during the photo-op for as a thank you for setting up the event.
We ended around 7:30/7:45 and I wound down with a few more throws with Elvis, saying good bye to some lingering teammates and the Special Olympics coaches, and having a quick walk/chat with the group I walked out with before taking a subway home.
Overall, I had a wonderful time. It was not a strenuous task, nor did we make the most efficient effort in two hours. Instead, we collectively shared a little time to play together, get to know each other, and intermingle with some new people who were different than we were. Sometimes the small beats of butterfly wings can turn windmills. I know that I left much cheerier and emotionally satisfied from the event than going in. I can only hope that others felt the same, and that I made some positive contribution to that general sense of well-being and fun. If small, hopefully pervasive and impactful.
