Family support events were held in Pakistan from January to July 2013 to support Special Olympics athletes. These events helped athletes prepare for the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Korea and boosted morale. They also allowed families to meet athletes competing for the first time. In KPK, families supported the regional games by providing accommodations and encouragement. Similarly, families helped serve food and cheer on athletes at the Federal regional games, building confidence. These events strengthened relationships between families and reduced social isolation.

1. Family Support Network
SPECIAL OLYMPICS PAKISTAN
Events held for Federal and KPK Region during JAN, 2013 Till July, 2013.
GLOBAL ATHLETE MESSENGER
ÁLVARO MIRANDA STATEMENT: Families are the engine of Special Olympics.
Keeping in mind the above statement FSN and families helped their Athletes in preparation for the
Special Olympics world winter games held in Korea in Jan 2013.
Events were held in collaboration with families, different organizations and volunteers to boast up
the morale of the Athletes who participated in the games.
These events also provided opportunity for families to meet the Athletes who were going to
participate first time from Pakistan in Special Olympics Worlds Winter Games.
In KPK region families were engaged in supporting and organizing the KPK Regional Games held in
Mashaal Special School Terbala Ghazi. Families played a vital role as they offer athletes, coaches and
team official’s comfortable lodging and a home away from home during the Games
.
Similarly family’s participation was witness in Federal Regional Games held in Islamabad. Families
helped the organizing committee of the games in serving lunch to the Athletes. They remained in the
stadium to show their support and encouragement for the Athletes, which is very important in building
confidence. Moreover parents themselves felt happy while witnessing these games .They were able to
meet new families and Athletes. These events reported positive outcomes such as parents showing
increased confidence in their parenting abilities and increased friendships between families leading to a
decline in social isolation.
NOTE OF GRATITUDE: A part of above mentioned events, the most memorable event was
FSN ANNUAL SUMMIT held in Karachi, which was possible for the first time in SPECIAL
OLYMPICS PAKISTAN history. Thanks to Mrs.Ronnak lakhani’s outstanding contributions as a
member of the organizing committee of Special Olympics Pakistan .we know how much time
and energy this Summit demanded, families from all the regions who attended this summit
deeply appreciate all of her efforts in making it a great success. During the summit her idea’s
got all families energized about the road ahead is just the kind of innovative thinking we needed
to push our FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK PROGRAM TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

2. What worked well:
Whole families not individuals.
Growing confidence in families.
Building partnerships to improve family support.
Group work with families.
Families voice launch-taking it to communities.
PICTURES:

5. REPORTED BY
LUBNA NAWAZ
COORDINATOR FSN SPECIAL OLYMPICS PAKISTAN
FEDERAL AND KPK REGION.