Some Quad Citians are getting ready to go "Over The Edge" next week by rappelling down Davenport's Hotel Blackhawk. It's all to support Special Olympics Iowa and Illinois, and is the first time for the fund-raising event like this in our area. KWQC's Bailey Deitz will be going over the edge. First, she gets to meet one of the many faces of Special Olympics...
"Before I used to get nervous, get butterflies in the stomach and all that. It ain't nothing compared to what I do now," said Tabitha Darnell. The 32-year old has been doing it all for the last 25 years as a Special Olympian, from track and field to skiing. She's won more than 60 medals and dozens of ribbons.
"I went to Dublin, Ireland for cycling."
But the road to where she is now hasn't always been smooth. "My parents went to a meeting. They said they found out your daughter Tabitha has a disability."
"Always sit in the corner and ask my mom, 'why do I have to be the special one?' She always says that's when you have to meet new friends," said Darnell.
That's exactly what Darnell has done through the Special Olympics. Now she's also a global messenger who spreads the word about the organization. "When you see the Olympics on TV we got 'Special' in front of our name. They just got Olympics. So I think that's awesome."
"Getting them out there to participate and get people to help and raise money, I think that's important for them too," said her mother Marilyn Darnell.
Next, Tabitha will be volunteering while others are going "Over the Edge." She says she's glad for a new, unique way to get recognition and support for Special Olympics athletes. "I like to see people do different things for Special Olympics."
Darnell is already looking ahead to next year, expecting she'll have the courage to go over the edge herself. "When you see it on the sideline you want to do it right now. So I'll probably end up doing it next year."
Funds raised through "Over the Edge" go toward training and competition for Special Olympics athletes in Illinois and Iowa like Tabitha.
Special Olympics Iowa page has more information on the event:
http://www.soiowa.org/Pages/overtheedgequadcities.aspx
KWQC TV-6 News has pledged to match donations up to $500 on Bailey Deitz's page. The following link will take you there:
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/baileydeitz/over-the-edge-quad-cities
