Through a range of Family Health Forums and other online and offline family-focused activities across the region such as sport achievement celebrations, short films celebrating the roles of families, podcasts and school campaigns, athletes and their families are coming together to recognise the fierce power of family involvement. Supported by Lions Clubs International Foundation and the Samuel Family Foundation, this debut European Week of Families aims to shine a spotlight on the immense power of families. The week will culminate in an array of online and offline activities taking place on 15 May, the United Nations (UN) International Day of Families.
There are over 663,000 family members registered with Special Olympics across the world, including 40,000 across Europe Eurasia. Globally, we have a total of almost 40,000 trained family leaders, almost 6,000 of whom are located in our region.
“My siblings were so proud of when I was chosen in the SSGM role!”
Special Olympics Sargent Shriver Global Messenger (SSGM), Margaret Turley, commented on the role that her family has played in her personal development, as well as her sports and professional career. She said, “I am delighted to see the launch of a dedicated week to celebrate families like mine across Special Olympics. My brother and sister are my role models, when I was younger they were going to college and were learning to drive a car. They pushed me and encouraged me to follow in their footsteps. I did not want to be left behind. I was going to achieve things in my life like they achieved in theirs. So, I worked hard to go and study in Trinity College in Dublin and I learnt how to drive a car and passed my driving test! I have not look back. Now I am still achieving both in my work and in Special Olympics. My siblings were so proud of when I was chosen in the SSGM role!”
“The appetite from families to play a central role in Special Olympics is clear”
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia President and Managing Director, Sven Albrecht, said, “Families form the backbone of our movement. They encourage, support, nurture and celebrate our athletes at every step of their journey – on and off the sports field. With almost 40,000 family members and almost 6,000 family leaders registered across our region, the appetite from families to play a central role in Special Olympics is clear. Through workshops, Family Health Forums, and a range of other online and offline community initiatives, the inaugural Special Olympics European Week of Families, aims to not only celebrate families, but also raise awareness of the challenges that they face and the urgent need for support. A special thanks to our partners, Lions Clubs International Foundation and the Samuel Family Foundation, for your generous support of this pioneering initiative.”
“Family has been so important in Anca’s journey”
The power of family support is evident in the homes of Special Olympics athletes the world over. Special Olympics Romania snowshoer, Anca Miron, who will launch a children’s book following her journey to the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, as part of the European Week of Families, says, “The family is important. They helped me in every way. My first tango teacher was my brother, Matei. My family members are my biggest supporters, through good times and bad times." Anca’s mother, Luminita, adds, “"Family has been so important in Anca's journey. [When she was born], it was period in which we didn't know much about people with intellectual disabilities. We found out the next day after she was born that she had Down syndrome. At that time, news like that was not encouraging at all. Anca was welcomed with open arms. I was quite affected by the diagnosis that was given, but everyone around me supported me. She is the best child a parent could have."
