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Special Olympics Mexico coach Gabriela Perez (left) smiles proudly beside one of her athletes Karla Nari, who she describes as meticulous, with definite clarity to her priorities. Perez has coached Nari for four years. [Photo by Kathy Smallwood] |
Special Olympics Mexico gymnastics coach Gabriela Perez first volunteered for Special Olympics at the request of a group of mothers with whom she works. “I am a gymnastics coach for non-intellectually disabled children, and the mothers asked me to train Special Olympics athletes along with the children that I normally train.”
That request was four years ago, and Perez doesn’t
conceal her love of coaching and volunteering with Special Olympics. She works with athletes four days a week at a gymnastics center in Nayarit.
“It is very satisfying to see the athletes’ accomplishments,” she said. “Special Olympics helps athletes improve their coordination and independence. It increases their confidence when interacting with people in public, not just at school or working in the gym.”
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