Read stories from supporters just like you
Brady: Brady Andrew Foster. I started in special Olympics when I was in middle school and high school too and I do ice skating still do ice skating and blowing .
Special Olympics has impacted me in so many ways .
Brady: Brady Andrew Foster. I started in special Olympics when I was in middle school and high school too and I do ice skating still do ice skating and blowing .
Special Olympics has impacted me in so many ways .
Roy: I volunteered to work at local SO tournaments starting in 2007. When the softball coach retired in 2013, I took over for her, and have have the honor of doing so since then.
Fall of 2018, my left ankle gave out, and I had to have it replaced, a process that took several months, during which time I was confined to using a knee scooter to get around. Every time I saw one of my athletes, the asked me if I would be able to walk again, and...
Roy: I volunteered to work at local SO tournaments starting in 2007. When the softball coach retired in 2013, I took over for her, and have have the honor of doing so since then.
Fall of 2018, my left ankle gave out, and I had to have it replaced, a process that took several months, during which time I was confined to using a knee scooter to get around. Every time I saw one of my athletes, the asked me if I would be able to walk again, and whether I would be able to coach any more. I assured them that I would, in both cases. I had the operation late winter of 2019, and began the recuperating process, which my doctor told me might take until the middle of summer, well into our softball season. The closer we got to the first practice, the more concerned my athletes became. Two days before our first practice, I had an appointment with my doctor to tell me how much longer it would before I could walk on my own. To my surprise, he said I could walk out of his office. When I walked onto the field for our first practice, I got a standing ovation from my athletes. Each time I had been to see my doctor, I noticed numerous framed jerseys signed by professional athletes hanging on the walls of his waiting room and hallways. I asked him during one visit if he would hang a jersey signed by my athletes, and he said he would. My athletes were thrilled with the idea, so I had them all sign a jersey and sent it to him with a copy of the enclosed photo and a note that thanked him for making it possible for me to continue coaching. At my next visit, I was disappointed that it was not hanging in either the waiting room. The disappointment turned to pleasure, however, when I saw it was the only jersey in his office. More so when he called all his staff up to meet me. When on of his nurses said, “So you’re the hero in that photo,” I cried.
ELAINE: An Admirer From Afar
I have been involved with Special Olympics only as an observer and as a contributor. Many years ago my daughter was invited by a colleague to be a partner with Special Olympics in Albuquerque. Since then, her entire family became involved as their children who were...
ELAINE: An Admirer From Afar
I have been involved with Special Olympics only as an observer and as a contributor. Many years ago my daughter was invited by a colleague to be a partner with Special Olympics in Albuquerque. Since then, her entire family became involved as their children who were quite young in the beginning became old enough to participate. They love the enthusiasm, dedication to their sports and the sincere delight in their association with others that the athletes exhibit. The family has missed their athlete friends greatly during the Covid pandemic.
Edward: Example for the world
There was a TV add for Special Olympics that features children in a race and one of the kids fell. The rest stopped and turned to help the fallen child. That so impressed me that the world should be like that.
Edward: Example for the world
There was a TV add for Special Olympics that features children in a race and one of the kids fell. The rest stopped and turned to help the fallen child. That so impressed me that the world should be like that.
Rudy: Game On!
I have been hooked on Special Olympics since the first time I led a team of volunteers several decades ago. Who isn’t energized and invigorated after a full day of cheering, high fives and hugs? The joy that these competitions bring to the athletes is contagious, and...
Rudy: Game On!
I have been hooked on Special Olympics since the first time I led a team of volunteers several decades ago. Who isn’t energized and invigorated after a full day of cheering, high fives and hugs? The joy that these competitions bring to the athletes is contagious, and I am honored and blessed to play a part in their mission. Game On!
Dorothy: My story begins with…
...when I started 5 years ago, Volunteering with basketball. Working with the athletes and sharing their accomplishments brings me such joy! I now HOD (Head of Delegation) at Summer Games and Fallfest (which seemed overwhelming at first, but I had a great mentor...
Dorothy: My story begins with…
…when I started 5 years ago, Volunteering with basketball. Working with the athletes and sharing their accomplishments brings me such joy! I now HOD (Head of Delegation) at Summer Games and Fallfest (which seemed overwhelming at first, but I had a great mentor showing me the ropes!), which allows me access to watch all the Competitions at those events. It makes my heart full!
Ralph: In Honor Of Christian DeMusis
I donate to Special Olympics in honor of my son, Christian DeMusis, who was born on May 3rd, 1975, and passed away on April 7th, 1983.He had a rare nervous system disease which left him completely immobile for almost 7 of his 8 years of his life. He loved watching...
Ralph: In Honor Of Christian DeMusis
I donate to Special Olympics in honor of my son, Christian DeMusis, who was born on May 3rd, 1975, and passed away on April 7th, 1983.He had a rare nervous system disease which left him completely immobile for almost 7 of his 8 years of his life. He loved watching sports, so I’m sure, if he was capable, he would have loved being involved in Special Olympics. I always felt that it was tied to my time in Vietnam, due to agent orange. Maybe, maybe not, but anyway, his short time on earth, he was a sweet, innocent boy. It makes me feel good to help those that are capable to be the best they can be.
Ronald: Many Special Olympics memories on and off ice!
Served as a Volunteer Speed Skating Coach for Area 26 from 1984-2008. Additional tasks were tape player and announcer for Figure Skaters practices and local meets. For trips I served as a driver and chaperone. Volunteered as an individual for two Special Olympics...
Ronald: Many Special Olympics memories on and off ice!
Served as a Volunteer Speed Skating Coach for Area 26 from 1984-2008. Additional tasks were tape player and announcer for Figure Skaters practices and local meets. For trips I served as a driver and chaperone. Volunteered as an individual for two Special Olympics World Winter Games: 1997 at Toronto and 2001 at Anchorage. I have many fond memories from my many experiences with Special Olympics!
Gene Presson: Why I chose to be a member of The Champion’s Society®
To this day I still get emotional remembering my youngest son standing on the medal platform and crying with joy. Knowing what my boys have gotten out of Special Olympics, and seeing what other participants get out of it—the joy on their faces over their...
Gene Presson: Why I chose to be a member of The Champion’s Society®
To this day I still get emotional remembering my youngest son standing on the medal platform and crying with joy. Knowing what my boys have gotten out of Special Olympics, and seeing what other participants get out of it—the joy on their faces over their accomplishments—is such a tremendous reward, this must continue.