This is an excerpt from a speech by Special Olympics Athlete and Global Messenger, Lauren to the Special Olympics Massachusetts Board of Directors on February 28, 2017:
Throughout my involvement in Special Olympics I have held many titles; global messenger, head coach, volunteer, fundraiser, team coordinator, lobbyist, committee member and master of ceremonies. But the title that I cherish the most, the one that I hold close to my heart is athlete. Titles come and go but being an athlete is something no one can ever take away from you. I started Special Olympics when I was 9 years old. To my 9 year old Special Olympics meant friends. By 14 years old my disabilities became so overpowering in my life I moved to a residential school. To my 14 year old self Special Olympics was a loving connection to home. At 18 years old I was living on my own for the first time and experienced all the ups and downs that being a young adult entails. To my 18 year old self Special Olympics was a constant reminder to be true to myself. When I was 21 I encountered some difficult choices regarding my future. To my 21 year old self Special Olympics was the family that stood behind me while I made those decisions. I am now 25. To me Special Olympics is hope. Hope for the mother whose son starts showing signs of autism in preschool. Hope for the father whose disabled adult son applies for a job because he gained the confidence needed by being a team captain. Hope for the brother who never thought his wheelchair bound sister would ever play catch with him until he saw her compete in the softball throw. Hope. Because Hope is the foundation in which all other notions are built upon. And because Special Olympics doesn’t just change lives, it builds futures.
More than a year ago, the selection process begain when they each applied to represent 
Patrick Adams, Enfield, CT, competing in speed skating, Special Olympics athlete for fourteen years. Adams will be speed skating for Special Olympics USA in Austria. Adams has competed previously in one World Games for speed skating and one National Games in unified soccer. “Patrick is very excited to go to the World Games in Austria,” Jeff, Patrick’s father said. “He makes it a point to tell people where he’s going.”
Alyssa Neil, Holyoke, MA, competing in speed skating, Special Olympics athlete for fourteen years. Besides speed skating, Neil also plays soccer and runs track. Neil has competed in two World games previously. She went to Greece in 2011 for track and South Korea in 2013 for speed skating. “I get to experience new cultures and meet different people from all over the world,” said Neil. “I’m really excited for the World Games, it means I’ve accomplished a lot especially in my skating. The USA has given us with disabilities the same opportunity as those without,” Neil said.
Christopher O’Neil, Westford, MA, competing in alpine skiing, Special Olympics athlete for fifteen years. O’Neil is very proud to represent the USA as an alpine skier. This is his first time competing at World Games. An avid skier since he was eight years old, when asked what he is most excited about in going to World Games O’Neil responded “It will be cool to see another country and people from those countries.”
Rebecca Robinson, Concord, MA, competing in alpine skiing, Special Olympics athlete for ten years. This is Robinson’s first World Games experience. She loves to be outside biking and hiking, and participates in biking for Special Olympics Massachusetts. When asked why she is excited to attend World Games, Robinson said, “I will be able to meet new people from all over the world. My work colleagues and family are very proud of me and excited about the World Games.”
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