Intellectual Disability
Special Olympics Athlete Ashley Adie Finds a Sense of Belonging; Both in Sport and the Workplace
In 2004, 14-year old Ashley Adie experienced true inclusion for the first time. During a Special Olympics British Columbia Regional swim meet, Adie would enjoy the competition, but she found something much more than the ribbons and personal bests that day.
3 Min Read
Special Olympics Athlete Steps into Leadership Role: in Community, at Work and in Movement
There he is, alone, with mother nature. Unlacing his shoes and removing his socks, he walks barefoot on the Iowa soil. Depending on the day, a shadow might reflect off the cool grass. The crisp sharpness of the earth glides across his skin helping Tyler Leech disconnect from the world.
4 Min Read
Special Olympics Athlete Turns Passion for Politics into Career
Born with Down syndrome, Reilly defies stereotypes every day through sport, leadership and employment, exemplifying the value people with intellectual disabilities bring to all facets of life.
5 Min Read
Innovative & Inclusive: Dental Tech Training for People with Intellectual Disabilities
It’s well known that employment rates are low for people with disabilities. The employment rate is especially low in medical and other professional fields. That’s why a new initiative in Louisiana and Texas is so innovative.
2 Min Read
Swedish National TV Tells Story of Athletes’ Journey To World Games 2019
A new Swedish TV show, Heja Sverigelaget! (Go, Team Sweden!), which follows the journey of four Special Olympics athletes to World Games 2019 in Abu Dhabi, has captured the imagination of the Swedish public!
1 Min Read
Chris Nikic Continues to Make News as First Person with Down Syndrome to Compete at IRONMAN
A month before Chris Nikic, Special Olympics Florida athlete, becomes the first person with Down syndrome to compete in a full IRONMAN race on 7 November 2020, he is taking the media by storm as a groundbreaking and high performance athlete.
3 Min Read
Proving Abilities, Shattering Low Expectations: Meet Youssef
Youssef saw his friends beaten and bullied, then he was beaten and bullied—all because they have intellectual disabilities. Instead of giving up, he became determined to show the world that people with ID can do anything “if only we are given the chance.”
2 Min Read
Special Olympics Athlete Publishes New Book
David Egan has written about his life and unique perspective in a book titled More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome.
1 Min Read
Coach Roberto Hernandez Celebrates 25 Years
When you talk to Coach Roberto about coaching for Special Olympics New Jersey now, he still has passion in his voice, the same passion he exudes when he talks about his family.
2 Min Read
Special Olympics Athlete Hanna Joy Atkinson Shares Her Story on Today Show
Hanna Joy Atkinson, a Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger and athlete from Colorado, recently appeared on Today with Hoda & Jenna to talk about the inspiration behind her contribution to the new book “Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community.”
1 Min Read