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Sargent Shriver Global Messengers 2018 – 2023

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

Celebrating United Nations Day

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.
1 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

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

Kindness is What We All Need

This blog article, written by Hanna Joy Atkinson, a Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger, was originally posted by Special Olympics North America. Lady Gaga recently interviewed Hanna who served as a reporter for Lady Gaga’s Channel Kindness, the digital platform for her Born This Way Foundation.
2 Min Read

What Apolo Ohno Learned from Sports

“Just like in the Olympics and just like right now, we have to get back up, we have to throw ourselves towards the finish line and we have to continuously keep adapting and reinventing ourselves.”
1 Min Read

All Things Health

Special Olympics Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger Daniel Smrokowski is the founder and host of the podcast Special Chronicles Show, which he started in 2008 to give voice to people with special needs.
1 Min Read

Athletes Celebrate Loretta Claiborne’s Birthday

Loretta Claiborne has traveled the world with Special Olympics since starting to compete in 1970 with Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Over the past 50 years, she’s grown into one of Special Olympics’ most influential voices.
2 Min Read

Special Olympics Athletes Highlight Mentors During Global Week of Inclusion

The 10 Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers (SSIGM) gathered in a Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal Hotel during the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
3 Min Read

Rise with the Angels, Ephraim

On behalf of Dr Mathews Phosa, it is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mr Ephraim Mohlakane, Special Olympics South Africa board member, athlete leader, 2-time World Games medallist, husband, father and friend.
4 Min Read