“I USED TO HAVE VERY LOW SELF-ESTEEM FROM BEING BULLIED IN SCHOOL AND WOULD WALK WITH MY HEAD DOWN. I HATED MYSELF BECAUSE I HAD A DISABILITY AND ALWAYS FELT JUDGED. JOINING SPECIAL OLYMPICS SLOWLY CHANGED HOW I FELT AND THOUGHT ABOUT MYSELF. I WAS ENCOURAGED, NEVER JUDGED OR GIVEN UP ON. I WAS ALLOWED TO BE ME, WITHOUT HAVING … Read More

Whatever the weather you can always find Eli Bernard enjoying another day playing the sports he loves. His passion for competition and commitment to improving his skills earned him a spot on Team Alberta where he competed at the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Vegreville is home to Eli Bernard who made his National games debut in athletics, competing in the 50m … Read More

“IT ALWAYS SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL IT’S DONE.” – NELSON MANDELA Kieran Corrigan is a long-distance runner with Special Olympics Alberta – Calgary who is inspired by his hero, Nelson Mandela. A poster of the revolutionary leader hangs on Corrigan’s wall in admiration of his efforts to end apartheid while fostering racial reconciliation. His philanthropic efforts motivate the 23-year-old Corrigan to … Read More

Athletes came together on July 7-9 from across Alberta and the Northwest Territories to compete in the 2017 Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games in Medicine Hat. One of those inspiring athletes who completed the journey to Medicine Hat was Jaclyn Zimmerman who competed in basketball for Edmonton 2. Zimmerman is no stranger to the Provincial Games stage as she had … Read More

Sarah Schmick, or “Sarah Bear” as her Airdrie swim coaches call her, likes to race and she is looking forward to some fast races in the pool this year at the 2017 Special Olympics Summer Games in Medicine Hat. Schmick is a natural swimmer and is no stranger to the podium as she has already compiled 39 medals in her … Read More

Mikayla McDonald began her journey with Special Olympics only two years ago and she is already set to compete in her first Provincial Games. McDonald is a gymnast and swimmer from Grande Prairie who will participate in rhythmic gymnastics in Medicine Hat. Currently a high school student, McDonald will start Grade 10 in the fall. She loves to read, go … Read More

Joshua Engel is an athlete who lives and breathes golf. He began hitting balls at the Heritage Pointe driving range nearly 13 years ago and hasn’t looked back since. Engel starts each morning trying to hit a few balls or putts before starting his shift at the Silver Springs Golf and Country Club in Calgary. After work you can catch … Read More