There are a lot of people out there who struggle, people like me. I’ve been called names, laughed at, and made to feel like I didn’t belong. And I know I’m not the only one.
When people use hurtful words, especially the R-word, they might think it’s just a joke or something small. But to someone like me, and to so many others, those words cut deep. They remind us of every time we were left out, bullied, or made to feel less than human. It’s not just a word. It’s a reminder of pain.
As a kid, I was bullied so much that I didn’t want to be around people. I felt invisible. But over time, I learned to tell myself: I’m stronger than that. I don’t have to let other people define who I am. I’d rather be somebody I’m supposed to be, instead of trying to be someone I’m not.
To anyone who’s going through something similar, here’s my advice: keep fighting. Don’t let other people’s words break you. If you let them see that they’ve hurt you, they win. But if you keep going, if you prove that their words don’t define you, you take back your power.
And to the people who use hurtful language, stop. There’s no point in tearing others down. You never know what someone’s been through, and you never know what they might become. The person you’re bullying could end up being more successful than you ever imagined. Words have power. Use them for good.
For me, my safe place is with my friends, my music, and my residents at the nursing home where I work. They keep me grounded. They remind me that I’m loved and that I matter. And ever since I joined Special Olympics, I’ve felt something I didn’t have before, home. It’s a place where I can be myself, where people accept me for who I am, and where I’ve learned that being different is something to celebrate.
Now, people tell me I’m a leader. I used to wonder how that could be true. But I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about being perfect, it’s about helping others believe in themselves. I tell my teammates: even if you fail, keep going. Win or lose, just keep showing up. Stay positive.
My family has been my biggest support. They’ve taught me to keep pushing, no matter what. And through all of it—the pain, the healing, the growth—I’ve learned what inclusion really means. It means peace. It means people coming together, no matter who they are or what they’ve been through. It means creating a world where everyone feels safe being themselves.
When I’m included, when I’m surrounded by people who accept me, it feels like the weight of the world is lifted off my chest. It feels like home. That’s the kind of world I want to help create, one where everyone feels that peace.
I want to share this message with other athletes: Don’t be ashamed of who you are. You are unique. You are strong. And your voice matters.
I used to be afraid to be myself. Now, I’m proud of who I am. I’ve learned that being yourself, truly and unapologetically, is one of the bravest things you can do. And I’ll keep using my voice to remind others that they belong too.
