St. Pius Goes for More than the Gold

Special Olympics Texas athletes traveled from near and far to compete in Summer Games, but one of the groups that traveled the farthest was the St. Pius X Special Needs Group from the Greater El Paso area.  St. Pius was also the largest delegation at this year's competition.  The group of 82 (37 athletes and 45 coaches and parents) was led by Richard Couder, Head of Delegation. 

Couder founded the St. Pius group after realizing the two biggest obstacles that men and women with intellectual disabilities face: lack of a social life and lack of employment.  He's hoping participation will help solve those problems.

"Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with special needs," Couder said.  "We do not want our special needs population to say there is nothing to do, but [we want them] to recognize that [St. Pius is available] with these programs."  That's exactly why St. Pius welcomes all athletes regardless of religious beliefs, race, age, disability and gender and most of the group's programs are free. 

The St. Pius team is only six years old, but already more than 70 athletes are on the team.  Couder admits there are some challenges that go along with having such a large group.  The biggest is getting parents involved with St. Pius and finding ways to create jobs for the athletes.  The parent of a child with Down Syndrome, Couder believes it his calling to help as many men, women and children with special needs as he can. 

"I have coached sports for over 15 years with the last six in Special Olympics," Couder explained.  "I get great satisfaction in helping our members be successful in their [sporting] events and in life." 

 

St. Pius’ success includes more than winning medals and ribbons at Games.  The athletes also have many hidden talents.  Some of them are members of Estrellitas de Dios (Stars of God), which surprised the Summer Games crowd with an unforgettably energetic dance number at Opening Ceremonies!

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Ramonica Jones
Public Relations Coordinator
Special Olympics Texas
rjones@sotx.org