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Special Olympics Supporters Go 'Over The Edge'

By: Markette Smith // June 22, 2012
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At the Over The Edge event, supporters of the Special Olympics scale the side of a building.
Markette Smith
At the Over The Edge event, supporters of the Special Olympics scale the side of a building.

Some real life super heroes are going to extremes and taking a leap off the top of the Hilton in Crystal City to help athletes with special needs.

More than 60 people, in fact, are testing their super hero skills as they strap on harnesses and attempt to rappel down the side of the 15-story building.

The stunt is a fundraiser for Special Olympics Virginia and the organization has set up the exercise to challenge supporters to move out of their comfort zone and go over the edge, literally, to raise awareness.

Fairfax County Police Chief Dave Rohrer is one of the dare-devils. He takes the leap every year to raise funds for Special Olympics

"When you think about the challenges that the athletes face, or anyone with intellectual disabilities, you know? For us to do this is nothing compared to what they face every day," says Rohrer.

One of the bystanders cheering him on is Connie Hill, who just happened to be walking by. "Well, I have a personal connection to the Special Olympics, because I have a brother who has downs syndrome. He's actually about 50 years old now, and he's always been very athletic."

All the participants raised a minimum of a $1000 each before taking the leap.

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