Katy

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What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

What I love most about Unified Sports is the electric force of laughter and strengthening a community through sports. I love the friendships built on trust, loyalty, empowerment and inclusion. Special Olympics Unified Sports opens the door to something extraordinary. As someone who’s deeply passionate about this movement, I have seen how these games rewrite the rules of inclusion and dignity. It’s so much more than being the best athletically.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

My mom, the reason I want to get into healthcare, suffered many auto-immune disorders until she decided she wanted to feel alive for her five kids. She fought hard, weaning off multiple medications and is thriving. As the oldest of her kids, I saw the worst of it. I remember changing my siblings diapers and helping my mom function, if it was the small things like making sure she was eating and helping around the house. Her life is now healthy and it makes me want to do well.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

My proudest moment, as of now, is winning the Unified basketball championship, played at the MVP Arena. It is not because of winning , although that was a plus. It was being on a team where athletes , who “normally “ would be on a school team, came together to work hard. It was the encouragement every single person on the team gave to one another . It shows that we not only worked together with skills but teamwork and sportsmanship.. No one got down, just continued to encourage one another .