An except from the book The Isaiah Effect by Gregg Braden, about something that happened at a Special Olympics event. Mr. Braden likes to tell this story when he gives talks, and it always brings tears to people's eyes.

    One morning they found themselves competing together on the same track, in the same event. At the sound of the starting gun, they were off toward the finish line at the other end of the course. It was a young boy with Down's syndrome that made this account so powerful. As the other competitors bounded down the track using whatever skills they had to work toward the finish, this special boy slowed down and looked back to the starting line. He saw that one of his teammates had fallen at the beginning of the race and was struggling to stand up.

    The boy with Down's syndrome suddenly stopped, turned, and began walking back toward his friend. One by one, each of the other competitors realized what was happening, turned and followed, until they they had retraced their steps to the point where they had begun. Lifting their friend to his feet, they locked arms, and together walked down the track to the finish. In that moment those nine children redefined the rules of the competition.