Excerpt for Chapter: “Burnout Behind the Smiles”

I remember one particular collection day in Wicklow. We had spent hours on our feet, rattling tins and thanking strangers. It was cold, tiring work — the kind that leaves your legs aching and your head foggy. As soon as we packed up, we were told we were being treated to something special: a thank-you game of bowling at the local alley. It sounded nice in theory, a token of appreciation.

But the truth? We had no time for rest, no space to unwind. We went straight from the collection stand to the bowling lanes, still in our uniforms, still carrying the weight of the day. What was meant to be a gesture of gratitude became just another demand on our time and energy. Smiles were worn, but so was fatigue. No one dared complain — this was “the reward,” after all.

It was one of many days where appreciation came wrapped in expectation. You learned quickly that in Special Olympics circles, "thank you" often came with strings attached.

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