Leadership

A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to interview a Special Olympics Japan employee about the pandemic, the differences between our cultures, and our experiences with Special Olympics. I loved the opportunity of doing this and wanted to do it again.

Special Olympics Europe Eurasia has today—on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities—announced that the first ever European Unified Youth Basketball Tournament will take place in Sansepolcro, Italy in October 2021.

Special Olympics Chinese Taipei athlete Michael Fan inspired his mother Angela Huang to become an open water swimmer and coach.

In the beginning of 2008, after attending two years of college, I felt a strong pull towards the military. I was a respectable student, but I wanted to experience something more than what my school could offer. I needed to be a part of something that was bigger than myself and ultimately push me to be a better individual. In July of 2008, I enlisted in the United States Army as part of the Military Police. I completed Basic Combat Training and One Station Unit Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. There, I learned how to be a soldier.

In 2020, the United Nations marks 75 years of working toward “peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.” On United Nations Day, we celebrate the UN’s work with a look at some of the Special Olympics athlete leaders, from around the world, who have spoken before UN audiences throughout the years.

A series of video interviews between youth leaders in Africa Region and their personal heroes showcase the best of inclusion across society, from the sports field to the classroom, the work place and even the performance stage.

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.

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.”

Special Olympics Operations Specialist Ben Collins Talks with Dr. Andreas Heinecke, founder of Dialogue in the Dark, on World Sight Day 2020

David Egan has written about his life and unique perspective in a book titled More Alike Than Different: My Life with Down Syndrome.