Sisters Compete in Special Olympics of Michigan Soccer Finals

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) - The coach fired up the team, and then it was showtime at the Special Olympics state soccer finals in Warren. However, regardless of who would win, the fields were filled with champions, including 20-year-old Molly Hincka from Brighton.

"When she was born, they basically as we were going through kind of all the testing, they told us that they didn't think that she would ever walk and she would ever talk," said Kerry Hincka, Molly's mom.  "We just refused to accept that."

Not far from Molly was her 18-year-old sister, Charlotte. Both were born with intellectual disabilities. For the Hincka family, there was comfort amid this competition.

"When you meet another parent of an athlete that has an intellectual disability, there's just this level of acceptance and not a need to explain anything that's going on in your life. That is really a joy for parents," Kerry Hincka explained.

"What is challenging as a parent is seeing your child realize they can't run like the other kids.  They can't do the school work that the other kids do, but they do have abilities that you like to draw out," said father Jerry Hincka.

As a runner, Molly even made it to the world competition in Greece.

To teach acceptance and friendship, Eunice Kennedy Shriver started the Special Olympics in the sixties. It's now worldwide, including millions of athletes with intellectual disabilities, cognitive delays or development disabilities.

In the end, there were gold medals and smiling faces, and for parents a feeling of pride that was priceless.

Special Olympics relies on corporate and private funds. That's why FOX 2's Deena Centofanti is thrilled to be a part of a big fundraiser on Saturday, November 12th. It's the Inspire Greatness Gala at MotorCity Casino benefiting the Special Olympics of Michigan. Click here for more information about the event »