On Friday, Sept. 25 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., a glance at downtown Albuquerque will deliver a startling view of people rappelling down the side of the 203 foot tall, 14 story New Mexico Bank & Trust Building.
But don’t be alarmed by such a sight. It’s only a creative fundraiser for the Special Olympics.
Over the Edge is an organization based in Nova Scotia that has been assisting non-profit organizations in raising funds across America since 2003. It allows people to be monetarily sponsored to rappel down buildings.
“It all goes straight to us. 100 percent stays in New Mexico,” said Randy Mascorella, executive director of the Special Olympics of New Mexico.
Mascorella is highly supportive of the daring fundraiser, stating that it gives non-disabled people perspective into the day-to-day life of a disabled person.
“This highlights the amount of courage they have to have to go through life every day,” Mascorella said. “It enables non-disabled people to have the same amount of courage, because going down a 345 story building takes a lot of courage.”
One UNM student, Kari Harnick, is going “over the edge,” and has raised over $2,300.
Kari is not afraid of heights, but is slightly nervous nonetheless, suppressing any fears by focusing on the goal of the fundraiser “just to open peoples’ minds and show people what it is,” Harnick said. “(Not only to) raise money but raise awareness.”
Kari’s father, David Harnick, has served on the board of Special Olympics of New Mexico for 10 years.
Not only is Kari following in her father’s professional footsteps, with the plan of joining his orthodontic practice after college, but she is planning on being highly active in the Special Olympics organization as well, potentially mirroring his current board position.
“You can’t do anything better than helping people with learning and physical disabilities to improve their lives and their families’ lives,” the elder Harnick said. “It gives them a focal point. You ask a special athlete who they are and they tell you that they are a Special Olympian.”
The younger Harnick said she could not agree more.
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“The athletes get the best treatment, anything they need and (access to) every sport. It is their life, you talk to them and they really consider themselves a part of the group,” Harnick said. “They need it to be who they are. They meet people in their situation and learn how to cope with their disability and be considered normal people, because for a long time they weren’t and they hate that more than anything.”
Ryan Hanson, a Special Olympic athlete, is participating in the “Over the Edge” event as well, and although he is nervous he feels it is well worth it, treasuring the travel experiences brought about by his involvement in the Special Olympics over the nerves.
Mascorella is extremely supportive of the fundraiser, which is raising funds for the five state-wide competitions organized by Special Olympics of New Mexico every year, and hopes to eventually have 80 people rappelling, each bringing in a minimum of a $1,000 sponsorship.
“Any time you can take someone who is challenged with a disability and bring them into the mainstream of life, not only does that person value that experience but so do the non-disabled involved,” Mascorella said. “It gives all of us a chance to learn and grow by being together.”
