The road to the 2015 Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games started in Chula Vista Tuesday morning with the ceremonial lighting of the Special Olympics Torch at the Chula Vista Police Department Memorial Wall.
Police officers lined up along the street outside the police station for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, where 30 San Diego County law enforcement agencies will carry the Special Olympics torch for more than 70 miles in a two-day run from Chula Vista to Camp Pendleton.
The torch will eventually make its way to Long Beach, where the annual Summer Games take place June 13 and 14.
Athletes will compete in track and field, basketball, aquatics, bocce, golf and gymnastics.
One of those athletes is Erik Weber, 26, who led the torch run.
Weber is the first autistic student to graduate from California Western School of Law and he passed the California Bar Exam on the first try. He said he plans to practice in special education law.
“I was diagnosed with autism at age 3,” he said. “At age 5, the doctors told my parents to put me in an institution where I would live out my life, and that turned out to be law school.”
Weber has competed in Special Olympics since 1998, this year the avid runner will race in the 1,500-meter, 5,000-meter and 100-meter relay.
Weber said it would be nice to win his competitions, but he said winning isn’t everything.
“It’s not what it’s all about,” he said. ‘It’s really about the community of families, athletes and friends that support and encourage each other, and inspiring others to exceed expectations.”
Weber said he doesn’t consider autism a disability but a “challenge to meet and exceed expectations.”
John Pobursky, whose son Carl is autistic, said he is grateful for the Special Olympics because it has provided therapy for his son.
“This is one of the better things that I’ve ever got him associated with,” Pobursky said. “When he first was a kid he didn’t communicate so good.”
Pobursky said Special Olympics has helped his son communicate more.
Law enforcement agencies have partnered with the Special Olympics since 1981.
“It’s a partnership that we’re really proud of as far as law enforcement, not only in San Diego County, Southern California, but throughout the nation,” said Chula Vista Police Chief David Bejarano.
Throughout the year, law enforcement agencies raise money to provide transportation, uniforms and equipment for the 1,477 Special Olympic athletes in San Diego County.
Karen Terra, regional director for the San Diego Special Olympics, said nearly $60,000 has been raised.
The Chula Vista Police Department has kicked off the opening ceremonies for the past 12 years.
