Photograph by Edna Sunjic
As athletes, Gilmour Borg and Edna Šunjić know that they can’t win by standing nonetheless. That mantra additionally applies to their roles as authorities representatives.
Borg was elected to the native council in Birkirkara, Malta and began his five-year time period in July, whereas Šunjić stepped into her position in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ministry of Tradition and Sports activities in autumn.
Their appointments made historical past for folks with mental disabilities and whereas there are greater than 1,000 kilometres and a number of other seas separating Borg and Šunjić’s locations of labor, the athletes are on a standard mission—to interrupt down limitations and make the world extra inclusive.
And they don’t seem to be alone. Rising numbers of Particular Olympics athletes are taking management roles in public service to usher within the inclusion revolution.
“I imagine we’re seeing extra Particular Olympics athletes in authorities roles as a result of folks acknowledge the honesty, humility, and fact we deliver,” Borg mentioned. “Our presence in authorities exhibits that change is feasible, and it’s a change for the higher.”
Photograph by Gilmour Borg, Edna Sunjic
An Achievement Price Greater than Medals
Gilmour Borg has collected quite a few medals since becoming a member of the Particular Olympics motion in 2014, however none of those victories have been as emotional as when he took the oath to hitch the Birkirkara council.
It was the fruits of a profitable marketing campaign that noticed Borg turn into the primary Particular Olympics athlete to be elected to the native authorities physique.
“Profitable medals is one thing I’ll at all times be happy with, and people moments are unforgettable. However discovering my voice by means of Particular Olympics means a lot extra,” mentioned Borg, who has competed in athletics, desk tennis, soccer and water polo. “Whereas medals deliver pleasure, having the ability to use my voice for others and signify those that should really feel unheard is a fair larger achievement.”
For Šunjić, medals have been the important thing that opened the door to her ministry job. Her sporting success, which included profitable two gold medals in snowboarding on the Particular Olympics World Winter Video games in 2017, caught the eye of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Minister of Tradition and Sports activities, Sanja Vladisavljevic.
Photograph by Gilmour Borg
“[Minister Vladisavljevic] invited me for an interview, expressing her need for me to be part of her staff as a pacesetter of Particular Olympics,” Šunjić mentioned. “I’m very grateful for this chance and the belief she put in me.”
By accepting the supply, Šunjić turned the primary individual with a incapacity to be supplied an employment position in a authorities ministry in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Photograph by Edna Sunjic
From Unvoiced to Being a Voice for Hundreds
Šunjić and Borg aren’t any strangers to management roles. Šunjić is a member of the Athletes’ Council of Particular Olympics Europe Eurasia whereas Borg is a Particular Olympics Sargent Shriver World Messenger. Solely 10 athletes worldwide are chosen for this three-year place.
Borg typically goes on stage to advocate for inclusivity, accessibility and illustration. Totally comfy beneath the highlight, it’s exhausting to think about that simply 10 years in the past the identical man was typically silenced and hidden within the shadows.
“Earlier than, I didn’t have a voice in any respect—folks ignored me, pushed me apart, and made me really feel invisible. Particular Olympics welcomed me with open arms and made me really feel human, like I mattered,” Borg mentioned. “Discovering that braveness—with out worry—to face up, converse the reality, and present the group that I’m succesful has been life-changing.
“Particular Olympics gave me the assist to reside, to thrive, and now, to shout the reality.”
Photograph by Gilmour Borg
Šunjić additionally is aware of first-hand what it’s wish to be pushed apart after which to stand up and show folks fallacious.
As a toddler, she was turned away from the first college in her hometown as a result of they didn’t wish to settle for a woman with Down syndrome. Šunjić commuted to a faculty additional away as a substitute and, regardless of being the primary little one with disabilities there, graduated as one among its star college students.
She first received concerned in sports activities as a result of there have been no after-school actions supplied to kids with disabilities, and when she gained her first gold medal on the 2017 World Video games, Šunjić devoted it to kids with Down syndrome in her nation.
Now she is able to shatter stereotypes once more in her new authorities position.
“Becoming a member of the Federal Ministry of Tradition and Sports activities was the start of a totally new chapter for me,” Šunjić mentioned. “I used to be notably impressed by initiatives that immediately have an effect on the promotion of tradition and sports activities, in addition to the chance to take part in making selections that may enhance the standard of lifetime of younger folks with and with out disabilities.”
Photograph by Edna Sunjic
Borg was additionally impressed to hunt his position as councillor to enhance the lives of others.
Selling inclusion in communities, training and leisure are on the prime of his agenda. The Maltese athlete additionally advocates for the fitting of expression and equal alternatives for folks with mental or bodily disabilities.
A part of a Larger Change
Whereas Borg and Šunjić are among the many most outstanding examples of Particular Olympics athletes taking over management roles within the authorities, they don’t seem to be the one ones.
Borg believes it is because the general public worth the abilities that athletes have and may deliver to those positions, equivalent to teamwork, perseverance and management.
“Particular Olympics athletes have skilled challenges, but we stay loyal and centered on making a optimistic change. We’re not simply talking for ourselves however for everybody who seeks equity and inclusion,” he mentioned. “This shift can result in a society that’s extra accepting, peaceable, and understanding, the place happiness and equal alternatives are the norm.”
Šunjić can be optimistic that the inclusion of Particular Olympics athletes in management roles can create a broader optimistic change.
“Using Particular Olympics athletes in public service supplies them with the chance to exhibit their skills, not solely in sports activities, but in addition in different areas the place they’ll contribute their information, perseverance, and distinctive experiences. This apply adjustments society’s notion of individuals with mental disabilities,” Šunjić mentioned.
“Particular Olympics athletes are leaders of their group, and their presence in public service sends a powerful message concerning the significance of equal alternatives and variety.”
