Samuele Tron and Michal Dolinsky are two Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program (MATP) skiers who happen to be the same age and both coached by their dads, who also happen to be the same age. With parallel stories across the Alps, Samuele and Michal have come to love the sport of skiing through the time, dedication, and perseverance of their fathers.
In Fuzhou, China, Dai Xiaobin details the heartbreaking, turned heartwarming, story of how he came to terms with his son’s Down syndrome diagnosis while learning to see all people with disabilities equals. “An azalea is an azalea; a gerbera is a gerbera. They have their own blooming seasons and growth patterns, but both are perfect, impeccable, and lovely. Similarly, there are various perspectives on special children like ours,” Dai Xiaobin stated.
Special Olympics Canada skier Madison Cyr felt the love of her family all the way in Turin, Italy during the Special Olympics World Winter Games in March 2025 where her father and grandfather, both her previous training partners, watched from the stands in Sestriere cheering her on as she sailed down the slopes. “I really enjoy when my dad and grandfather watch me ski,” said Madison. "Every time I hug my grandfather it gets me emotional.”
“The real disability is for a person to see himself as incapable of thinking and developing,” shared Saif Bin Sumaida, a father of a Special Olympics MENA equestrian, footballer, and golfer, Ali Bin Sumaida. Saif introduced Ali to Special Olympics as a child, and he later went on to compete at the 2019 and 2023 Special Olympics World Games. He has held the position of President of Special Olympics UAE Youth Leaders Council and was a member of the Athlete Leaders Council. Saif applauds Ali for his achievements, acknowledging they have not come easily to him as he has had to face many hurdles to get to this point.
