My name is Matthew Williams,

您好，

and I am a champion.

我的名字是馬修．威廉姆斯。

I have won medals in three different sports

我是一位冠軍，

and national games in Canada,

我獲得了三個不同運動項目的獎牌，

competed at the international level in basketball

並參加了在加拿大全國賽事舉辦的

and was proud to represent Canada

國際級競爭籃球賽。

on the world stage.

我很驕傲，可以代表加拿大

(Applause)

站上世界舞台。

I train five days a week for basketball and speed skating,

（掌聲）

work with top quality coaches

我每週訓練五天，

and mental performance consultants

訓練我的籃球和競速滑雪項目，

to be at my best in my sport.

我與頂尖的教練及 心理諮詢師一起合作，

By the way, all that is through Special Olympics.

讓我在運動場上有最佳的表現。

Does that change the way you think of me

順便說一下，這些成就 都是特殊奧林匹克運動會的成就。

and my accomplishments?

這是否會改變你對我的看法？

The world does not see all people like me as champions.

以及對我成就的看法？

Not long ago, people like me were shunned and hidden away.

世界上看不到 像我這樣的冠軍得獎者，

There has been lots of change since Special Olympics began in 1968,

不久前，像我這樣的人 他們都迴避隱藏起來，

but in too many cases,

自從1968年開始，有了特奧會後， 其實已經改變了許多

people with intellectual disabilities

但， 有太多的例子可以舉，

are invisible to the wider population.

社會大眾根本無視

People use the r-word in front of me, and they think it doesn't matter.

智力缺陷人士的存在。

That's the word "retard" or "retarded"

人們在我面前用 「唾棄的字眼」 形容我 而且他們認為這沒甚麼大不了，

used in a derogatory manner.

「唾棄的字眼」 的意思就是，用貶低的口氣

They're not thinking about how much it hurts me and my friends.

形容我們「低能」、「智障」。

I don't want you to think I'm here because I'm a charity case.

大家其實沒有想過， 這對我和我的朋友傷害有多重。

I am here because there is still a big problem with the way

我不希望你們認為我來這裡 是因為我是個慈善案例，

many people see individuals with intellectual disabilities,

我在這裡，是因為存在一個大問題，

or, too often,

就是，人們看待智能缺陷的方式

how they don't see them at all.

或者，經常就是...

Did you know the World Games happened this year?

他們是如何的完全 無視他們的存在。

I was one of over 6,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities

你知道今年有舉辦世界運動會嗎？

from 165 countries who competed in LA.

我是6,500位有智能缺陷的運動員之一，

There was over 62,000 spectators watching opening ceremonies,

大家來自於165個國家 來到洛杉磯競技，

and there was live coverage on TSN and ESPN.

超過 62,000 人觀看開幕式，

Did you even know that happened?

在TSN和ESPN有現場直播，

What do you think of when you see someone like me?

你們知道這件事嗎？

I am here today to challenge you

當你們看到像我這樣的人 你們想到甚麼？

to look at us as equals.

今天，我在這裡要挑戰各位，

Special Olympics transforms the self-identity of athletes

請用平等的方式看待我們，

with intellectual disabilities

特奧會改變了

and the perceptions of everyone watching.

智力缺陷運動員的自我認同，

For those of you who aren't familiar,

以及每個人看我們賽事的想法，

Special Olympics is for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

對於不熟悉的人來說，

Special Olympics is separate from the Paralympics and Olympics.

特奧會是為智能缺陷的運動員舉辦，

We offer high-quality, year round sports programs

特奧會不同於殘奧會和奧運會

for people with intellectual disabilities

我們提供高品質、全年無休的體育節目

that changes lives and perceptions.

給智能殘缺的人士，

This movement has changed my life

來改變他們的生活及觀念。

and those of so many others.

這些活動已經改變了我的生命，

And it has changed the way

以及許許多多的其他人。

the world sees people with intellectual disabilities.

它已經改變了

I was born with epilepsy and an intellectual disability.

世界如何看待智能缺陷人士的方式，

Growing up, I played hockey until I was 12 years old.

我出生時就有癲癇與智力缺陷。

The older I got, the more I felt

長大後，我打曲棍球打到12歲，

it was harder to keep up with everyone else,

年紀越大，我越覺得

and I was angry and frustrated.

很難跟得上其他人，

For a while, I did not play any sports,

我很憤怒和沮喪，

didn't have many friends

有一段時間，我沒有參加任何運動、

and felt left out and sad.

沒有朋友、

There was a time when people with intellectual disabilities

覺得受冷落和傷心。

were hidden away from society.

曾經有一段時間，智力缺陷人士

No one thought they could participate in sports,

從社會上隱藏起來，

let alone be a valued member of society.

沒有人想到他們能參加運動，

In the 1960s, Dr. Frank Hayden,

更遑論能在社會上成為有價值的一員，

a scientist at the University of Toronto,

在1960年代，弗蘭克．海登博士，

was studying the effects of regular exercise

一位在多倫多大學的科學家，

on the fitness levels of children with intellectual disabilities.

研究規律的運動對喜憨兒

Using rigorous scientific research,

健康狀況的影響，

Dr. Hayden and other researchers

採用嚴謹的科學研究，

came to the conclusion

海登博士和其他研究人員

that it was simply the lack of opportunity to participate

得出的結論是：

that caused their fitness levels to suffer.

這只是缺乏參與的機會，

Lots of people doubted that people with intellectual disabilities

導致他們的健康狀況受到影響。

could benefit from fitness programs

很多人懷疑智力缺陷人士

and sports competition opportunities.

可從健康計劃和

But pioneers like Dr. Hayden and Eunice Kennedy Shriver,

體育比賽的機會中受益，

the founder of Special Olympics,

但像先行者，海登博士和

persevered,

特奧會的創始人尤妮斯肯尼迪．施萊佛，

and Special Olympics athletes have proved them right

他們堅持是可以的，

four and a half million times over.

而特奧運動員已經超過

(Applause)

450萬次以上的證明，他們是對的。

Before I joined Special Olympics,

（掌聲）

I was nervous

在我加入特奧會以前，

because I was young, shy, not confident

我很緊張，

and didn't have many friends.

因為我還年輕、害羞、沒自信

When I got there, though, everyone was very encouraging,

也沒有很多的朋友。

supportive, and let me be myself

不過，當我到了那裡， 每個人都非常令人鼓舞的、

without being judged.

互相支持的，

Now, I am a basketball player and speed skater

讓我可以不受批判地做我自己。

who has competed at provincial, national games,

現在，我是籃球員和競速滑雪選手，

and this year made it all the way to the World Summer Games in LA,

已經參加過省級與國家級的賽事，

where I was part of the first ever Canadian basketball team

一路到今年洛杉磯的世界夏季奧運會。

to compete at World Games.

我是有史以來第一支加拿大籃球隊

(Applause)

參與世界運動會比賽的其中一名球員。

I am one of more than four and a half million athletes around the globe,

（掌聲）

and I've heard so many similar stories.

我是全球超過450萬位運動員之一，

Being Special Olympics athletes

我聽過很多類似的故事。

restores our pride and dignity.

身為特奧運動員，

Special Olympics also addresses critical health needs.

我恢復了我們的驕傲和尊嚴。

Studies have shown that, on average,

特奧會也強調健康需求的重要問題，

men with intellectual disabilities

已經有研究顯示，一般來說，

die 13 years younger than men without,

男性的智力缺陷人士

and women with intellectual disabilities

比一般男性壽命少 13 年；

die 20 years younger than women without.

女性智力缺陷人士則比

Special Olympics keeps us healthy

一般女性平均壽命少 20 年。

by getting us active

特奧會讓我們積極參予運動， 使我們身體保持健康。

and participating in sport.

此外，我們的教練教我們 營養和健康的知識。

Also, our coaches teach us about nutrition and health.

特奧會對於與醫生溝通困難的運動員， 還提供免費健康檢查或取得健康照護。

Special Olympics also provides free health screening

在 2015 年世界夏季運動會。

for athletes who have difficulty communicating with their doctor

我的加拿大國家隊的隊友和我， 加入奈及利亞籃球隊。

or accessing health care.

比賽前一天，

At the 2015 World Summer Games,

奈及利亞籃球隊赴世界運動會， 作運動員健康檢查。

my Team Canada teammates and I played the Nigerian basketball team.

其中， 10 員中有 7 員，

The day before our game,

免費獲得助聽器，

the Nigerian basketball team went to the World Games Healthy Athlete screening,

首次能聽清楚聲音。

where seven of 10 members

（掌聲）

were given hearing aids for free

這對他們造成了驚人的改變。

and got to hear clearly for the first time.

他們更興奮快樂與自信，

(Applause)

因為他們與教練可以暢所欲言的溝通了。

The change in them was amazing.

而且他們的情感激動，

They were more excited, happy and confident,

因為他們能聽到籃球的聲音，

because their coach could vocally communicate with them.

聽到笛子的聲音。

And they were emotional

聽到看台上球迷的歡呼聲，

because they could hear the sounds of the basketball,

這些我們認為理所當然的聲音。

the sounds of the whistle

特奧會改變很多，不僅僅是改變運動員，

and the cheering fans in the stands --

特奧會也改變他們在場外的生活。

sounds that we take for granted.

今年，研究結果呈現：

Special Olympics is transforming more than just the athlete in their sport.

美國近一半的成年人，

Special Olympics is transforming their lives off the field.

連一位智力殘疾缺陷人士，都不曾認識過。

This year, research findings showed

而那些44％

that nearly half of the adults in the US

連一位智力缺陷人士都不曾接觸過的美國人，

don't know a single person with an intellectual disability,

相當難以接納我們且不夠正面。

and the 44 percent of Americans

於是他們使用 「唾棄的字眼」，

who don't have personal contact with intellectual disabilities

這證明智力缺陷人士， 仍然被太多人視而不見。

are significantly less accepting and positive.

人們把它當成隨興的字彙或侮辱。

Then there's the r-word,

在推特上，去年發生多達 9 百萬筆次。

proving that people with intellectual disabilities

它深深地傷害我， 以及這個星球上 450 萬位運動員。

are still invisible

人們不認為這是侮辱性的，

to far too many people.

但它就是。

People use it as a casual term or an insult.

我的同伴運動員，也是全球特派員， 約翰．富蘭克林．斯蒂芬斯

It was tweeted more than nine million times last year,

寫了一封公開信給一位 使用「唾棄的字眼」的政要，

and it is deeply hurtful

告訴他，他的行為是一種污辱。

to me and my four and a half million fellow athletes around the planet.

「找一天來加入我們特奧會， 看你是否仍然可以帶著不變的心走開 。」

People don't think it's insulting,

（掌聲）

but it is.

今年，在 2015 年世界夏季運動會，

As my fellow athlete and global messenger John Franklin Stephens wrote

人們排隊數小時，

in an open letter to a political pundit

為了觀看最後一晚的舉重比賽。

who used the r-word as an insult,

因此，座無虛席。 當我的隊友，傑基．巴雷特，

"Come join us someday at Special Olympics.

紐芬蘭的「麋鹿」，

See if you walk away with your heart unchanged."

推舉項目 655 磅，

(Applause)

蹲舉項目 611 磅，

This year, at the 2015 World Summer Games,

（掌聲）

people lined up for hours

創了特奧會的超級新紀錄。

to get into the final night of powerlifting competition.

傑基是紐芬蘭所有舉重項目 的一位紀錄保持者--

So it was standing room only when my teammate Jackie Barrett,

不僅在特奧會而已， 且是所有的舉重選手。

the Newfoundland Moose,

傑基是洛杉磯的一顆巨大的閃亮明星。

deadlifted 655 pounds

ESPN在推特上現場播報 他的舉重破紀錄，

and lifted 611 pounds in the squat --

並驚嘆他的表現。

(Applause)

五十年前，很少有人想像得到， 智力缺陷人士

setting huge new records for Special Olympics.

可以做這樣的事情。

Jackie is a record holder among all powerlifters in Newfoundland --

今年 6 萬名觀眾，坐滿了著名的 洛杉磯紀念體育館，

not just Special Olympics, all powerlifters.

觀看世界運動會的開幕式，

Jackie was a huge star in LA,

向來自世界各地 165 個國家的運動員歡呼。

and ESPN live-tweeted his record-breaking lifts

別再逃避，

and were wowed by his performance.

我們被歡呼及喝彩著。

Fifty years ago, few imagined individuals with intellectual disabilities

特奧會教會了運動員：

could do anything like that.

自信和自豪。

This year, 60,000 spectators filled the famous LA Memorial Coliseum

特奧會教會了全世界：

to watch the opening ceremonies of World Games

智力缺陷人士是值得尊重和包容的。

and cheer athletes from 165 countries

（掌聲）

around the world.

現在我擁有夢想，擁有運動成就感，

Far from being hidden away,

擁有優秀的教練，

we were cheered and celebrated.

擁有尊重和尊嚴，

Special Olympics teaches athletes

更健康，

to be confident and proud of themselves.

而且我正在追求成為私人教練的事業。

Special Olympics teaches the world

（掌聲）

that people with intellectual disabilities

我不再逃避或被霸凌，

deserve respect and inclusion.

而我現在就在這裡做 TED 演講。（掌聲）

(Applause)

世界是因為特奧會而改變，

Now, I have dreams and achievements in my sport,

但仍有更長遠的路要走。

great coaches,

所以下次你看到智力缺陷人士時，

respect and dignity,

我希望您會看到他們的能力，

better health,

下一次，有人在你旁邊使用「 唾棄的字眼」時，

and I am pursuing a career as a personal trainer.

我希望您能告訴他們，這樣是多麼地傷人。

(Applause)

我希望您也能想想來參加特奧會。

I am no longer hidden, bullied

（掌聲）

and I am here doing a TED Talk.

最後離開前，我想告訴各位，

(Applause)

曼德拉說：

The world is a different place because of Special Olympics,

「 體育有力量改變世界。」

but there is still farther to go.

特奧會透過 450 萬位 運動員的褪變，改變了世界。

So the next time you see someone with an intellectual disability,

給了我們一個展現自信的地方，

I hope you will see their ability.

交朋友，

The next time someone uses the r-word near you,

不受批判，

I hope you will tell them how much it hurts.

並感受和成為冠軍。

I hope you will think about getting involved with Special Olympics.

非常感謝！

(Applause)

（掌聲）

I would like to leave you with one final thought.

Nelson Mandela said,

"Sports has the power to change the world."

Special Olympics is changing the world

by transforming four and a half million athletes

and giving us a place to be confident,

meet friends,

not be judged

and get to feel like and be champions.

Thank you very much.

(Applause)