At the invitation of Special Olympics International, Xu Chuang and I, as well as his tutor Mr Ye Mao started our journey to the US on July 8, 2006. Though the long journey lasted over 10 hours and was exhausting, we were also very excited! We were excited because this was the first opportunity we had to attend such a high ranking banquet. This banquet was to be attended by so many dignitaries, all of whom came especially for Special Olympics. We were also excited to go to the White House and meet with all the Special Olympics athletes and old friends from so many different countries. We were looking forward to the grand birthday party hosted by US President George Bush and the First Lady, in honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics.

During the morning of July 10 th, local time, Xu Chuang and I joined other Special Olympics Global Messengers and visited the headquarters of Special Olympics in Washington D.C. for the first time. Bruce Pasternack and Tim Shriver both made brief remarks to welcome all of us and encourage us to be self-confident. They also encouraged us to be brave and talk to others about ourselves and about Special Olympics. The global messengers responded by expressing their different desires. Xu Chuang's desire was "I hope Special Olympics will bring peace and friendship to the world". At this time Xu Chuang also uttered a few words in English: "President Bush is welcome to come to Shanghai as our guest." Tim Shriver cast to him an approving glance and patted him on his back.

While at the Special Olympics office, all of the Global Messengers signed their names on a huge Special Olympics T-shirt, and gave each other high-5's. We were then given a tour of the Special Olympics headquarters. We saw so many Special Olympics banners, cups, signs, etc; it was so colorful and dazzling. Among them, we saw a big banner from China's Third National Special Olympics Games, which were held in Xi'an during 2002, on which there were many signatures. There was also a big photo of Special Olympics China athlete Judy (Yang Yan). Xu Chuang was proud and asked Tim if he liked China. Tim replied "Yes, I love China very much," his face beaming with a smile.

Finally, the most exciting moment came. In the evening, we entered the gates of the White House, accompanied by the Shriver family. White house, white doors, white windows. everything was sumptuous and splendid. In addition to President Bush and his wife, other guests included the President of Iceland, the Chinese Ambassador to the US, other high ranking government officials and Special Olympics gold medal athletes from India, Egypt, the US, Norway, Uganda and Guatemala. At this event, Xu Chuang pulled double duty by representing both the Special Olympics East Asia region and as a Global Messenger. He looked so dashing in his black tuxedo. We sat at a table with Dr Dicken Yung, President of Special Olympics East Asia and his wife Meilin. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, whose 85 th birthday was being celebrated, was smiling and nodding to the guests from time to time. At 7:30PM, President Bush and Mrs Eunice Shriver made opening remarks, and we all made many toasts to congratulate Mrs Shriver. It was a sumptuous feast, with prawns, mutton and birthday cake. Xu Chuang and I actually didn't have much time to eat, since we spent most of our time talking with our friends, old and new, through Dr and Mrs Yung's translation.

At the end of the party there was a trio of singers which was fascinating. During the party, Xu Chuang handed over a jacket printed with the number 2,256,733 as a gift to President Bush. The figure signifies the number of Special Olympics athletes around the world. Then Xu Chuang said to President Bush: "Welcome to Shanghai, China in 2007". The president was first astonished, then started laughing and shook hands energetically with Xu Chuang. As President Bush was posing for a photograph with us, we saw a familiar figure walk towards us. It was Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California, whom Xu Chuang met in Shanghai a few years ago! They greeted each other like old friends, and Xu Chuang invited him in English to come to Shanghai next year for the Special Olympics World Games. The governor also took a photo with him. Lastly, we found our way to Eunice Kennedy Shriver. It is because of this marvelous and gentle lady, who over 35 years ago, founded our Special Olympics that has caused great changes in the lives of so many people with intellectual disabilities throughout the world, and who also contributed so much for the social acceptance of these people. It is the Special Olympics movement that makes children with intellectual disabilities smile, pluck up their courage to overcome difficulties and setbacks and become successful. Xu Chuang and I sincerely wished her a happy birthday in English. The elderly lady was so shocked and hugged us in our photo together.

By the time we came out of the White House that night, it was late and the weather was chilly. But Xu Chuang was extraordinarily excited. He kept telling me that he would tell his friends all about what he had seen and heard so that they would share in his happiness at the White House and with Special Olympics.