The Power of Yes

When Barack Obama chose the slogan “Yes We Can” for his presidential campaign – its simplicity caught like wildfire. There is a power of an affirmation such as this – exclaimed in unison by people who truly believe it
 (or at least, have the audacity to hope that it may be true) which is undeniably inspiring.  Yesterday, I witnessed a variation on this rallying cry as thousands of Yemeni Special Olympians, their families and friends, volunteers and guests, bellowed at the top of their lungs: Naam Astatia, Naam Astatia…Yes I can, Yes I can; this was often accompanied by a lot of fists held righteously in the air, hands waving proudly, ear to ear smiles, heartfelt and spontaneous hugs, and I even saw a few tears of joy. It would be impossible to tell one of these athletes ‘no, you can’t’ – they simply wouldn’t believe you.  The banners adorning the walls of the filled stadium boasted such slogans as “Excuse me, I’m a Person” and the longer version of “Yes I Can...Be With Me.”  For a group of people who have spent so much of their lives marginalized, hidden away, shamed and forgotten – it is nothing short of miraculous that they would find themselves yelling “Yes I Can” to an audience which included Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh Chairman of al-Saleh Development Foundation the son of the president, and several ministers. Once again, I was struck with the realization that it is not these children who are disabled – it is the rest of us, who can’t see beyond what we perceive to be their limitations.  It is an act of great patience and grace on the part of these Special Olympians to be the ones to take the rest of us by the hand and help us to understand them.  So, my answer to the command “Yes I Can…Be With Me” is, thank you, it would be my honor.

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