11/10/2023 0 Comments Expo bowl special olympics![]() To prepare for the games, we practice swimming three days a week for the 2 months before the games. I swam at Special Olympics USA Games in New Jersey in 2014 and Florida in 2022. I participate in Special Olympics Sports year-round in swimming, basketball, downhill skiing. Katelynn Robinson, Ashland (3-12 Chequamegon Bay) Without Special Olympics, they would not have access to these healthy activities. Our Special Olympics coaches drive many athletes to swimming and bowling which are out of town. Special Olympics helps my teammates who may not drive or have transportation access activities. Taking an 8 week, virtual Special Olympics Athlete Health Messenger class to learn about nutrition, hydration, physical activity and emotional well being. These were inclusive workshops where I met athletes from around the state and learned about leadership. I took different SOWI virtual classes like: Introduction to Athlete Leadership, Understanding Leadership and Global Messenger (public speaking). We connected virtually during covid and also started downhill skiing in 2020.Īthlete leadership classes have been inclusive and I learned a lot. Genuine friendships.ĭuring covid, there were weeks when we were locked in, so having genuine friends makes all the difference. My teammates are all my friends and do fun activities outside of SOWI. Special Olympics helps my emotional wellbeing. I have gone through Opening Eyes and received free glasses. I go through Healthy Athletes every time I attend a Special Olympics event. Because of the confidence I got from SOWI, I was able to stay on the phone and spoke through the whole call. When I was young and before Special Olympics, I wouldn’t have been able to talk on the phone. Now, I’m going back to school to study computer science.Ī story about helping my mom at the mall – when she fell, we needed to call 911. Our school had been participating in the Special Olympics Spread the word to end the word campaigns and I learned about advocacy. I worked for them for 21 months during which time, I heard the r-word from management and co-workers more than 8 times.īecause Special Olympics taught me about inclusion, I had the confidence to stand up to my work and eventually leave my job knowing there were places I could work where I would be accepted. Now, after being in Special Olympics for 12 years, I had the confidence to go to college and get my associates degree in accounting in May 2022.Īfter graduating, I went on to work for a company in their accounting dept. I spent most of my time in a Special Ed classroom. JanuJustin Esala, Ashland (3-12 Chequamegon Bay)īeing involved with Special Olympics for the last 12 years has made me a healthier, happier more confident Wisconsin Citizen.īefore I started Special Olympics, I was an extremely shy person who had a hard time making friends – in fact it was hard for me to make eye contact. Governor’s Budget Listening Session – Superior Note: As these were speaking points for many of our Athlete Health Messengers, only minor spelling or grammar enhancements may have been added for clarity. Special Olympics Wisconsin Athlete Health Messengers representing all corners of the state toured with SOWI President & CEO Chad Hershner to numerous budget hearing sessions across the Badger State this spring, advocating for inclusive health programming.Ī component of Global Messenger Training, which equips athletes with tools for self-advocacy and helps athletes truly find their voice, Athlete Health Messenger training tailors these same tactics in the scope of health and wellness.Īs Special Olympics Wisconsin continues to provide integral health screenings and follow-up care, it is important to see first-hand how the efforts of our community partners and the funding and resources they provide truly change lives.įollowing are the stories of these Athlete Health Messengers, as read aloud at the listening sessions.
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