Georgia

A lifelong sports fan, Todd Youngblood came to the Kay Community Service Center, a day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) located in Fort Valley, Georgia, in 1995 and was immediately put to work.

The atmosphere was electric as 26 delegations, supported by grants from The Christmas Fund, arrived in Italy, their excitement palpable.

On 24 October, 2020, Special Olympics Unified pair and U.S. Youth Ambassadors, Steven Russel (athlete and student in Georgia) and Jordan Adeyemi (Unified partner from Georgia who attends boarding school in New Hampshire) appeared on The Weather Channel to discuss ways that students can incorporate physical movement into their days while learning remotely due the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Special Olympics made me a more outgoing person." Read more about Lani's remarkable journey.

Katy Wilson, 35, has won gold in gymnastics, and served as a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger. She has traveled the globe to share the message and spirit of Special Olympics and tell everyone that people with Down syndrome can do anything—given high expectations and respect.

"She’s never going to achieve anything." That's what Lani's mom was told by a doctor. Watch to learn how Lani proved him (very) wrong.