Linda is a 17-year-old from Slovakia, Bratislava. She attends an English international school in Bratislava, called Kings School International. Linda has a lot of previous experience with Special Olympics, as she is a swimming assistant coach, MATP certified coach, and a Young Athlete’s certified coach. She has also volunteered at various sporting competitions at both the national and international levels. Linda became a Youth Leader to inspire younger generations to become more inclusive. She appreciates the opportunity to learn from fellow Youth Leaders who live all over the world!
Linda noticed there is a stigma surrounding intellectual disability within her community and country. She felt people in her community are unaware of how capable people with intellectual disabilities truly are. Her leadership roles working with young people have inspired her to create this project to shape the minds of youth and influence them to become more inclusive, as they make up the future generation.
Linda's project plan is to host swimming classes for youth with intellectual disabilities. She will organize a showcase with athletes in new schools about Special Olympics’ work, Unified Sports, and volunteering experiences and highlight the athletes’ sport experience and successes. Linda will post about her project on social media to spread the message of inclusion around the world.
Linda aims to gain more visibility and awareness for youth with intellectual disabilities and more volunteers for Special Olympics Slovakia and for the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.