Written by: Amanda Church “Take YOUR Mark.” Splash! First-time Living Independently Forever (LIFE) Special Olympics athlete swimmer Matt Oremland did just that as he competed in his first Special Olympics Swimming Qualifier at Bridgewater State University. Matt not only swam at the qualifier; but competed in the 50-yard backstroke for the first time. While a new sport might seem intimidating to some, Matt has never been one to shy away from his fears. Matt has overcome some obstacles in his life. One of Matt’s biggest obstacles is that he has a fear of heights; but Matt overcame this obstacle…

“I remember getting the phone call asking if I was interested in running the Boston Marathon for Special Olympics, and I had no idea that that was an option for me,” said 2023 Boston Marathon Xtra Mile runner Kelsie Rainone. As someone who has always been driven to help people reach their greatest potential, Kelsie has committed to running both the 2023 Boston Athletic Association 5K and Boston Marathon as a member of the Special Olympics MA Xtra Mile Team. She’s someone who constantly looks to do more for others and give back to the community, so much so…

WHAT JAMES KEITH WANTS OTHER SOMA ATHLETES TO KNOW  An interview with Champions star, James Keith By Anne DeForge “I never thought I would see someone like me starring in a movie. I really never thought I would see a movie with most of the main characters played by people with special needs. The movie Champions, Directed by Bobby Farrelly is about a former minor-league basketball coach that receives a court order to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. Despite his doubts, he soon realizes that together they can go further then they ever imagine.” I had…

Written By: Amanda Church Strike or Spare that is what most people say with such excitement when people go bowling. Sara Lynn is Special Olympics Massachusetts athlete from Living Independently Forever Inc.  Cape Cod (LIFE) who participated in bowling for the very first time this year; but that is not all that Sara did. Sara was one of 25 LIFE bowlers to qualify for the Traditional Bowling State Tournament, where she played three games, bowled two strikes, and took home the Gold Medal. That is such a huge accomplishment. When asked why she likes bowling, Sara said, “I love bowling…

 Wednesday, March 1st began as an ordinary day for the students at Brighton High School; but it was soon transformed as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Mary Skipper, Special Olympics Massachusetts President & CEO Mary Beth McMahon, news stations, guest speakers, and student athletes took to the gymnasium for the announcement of a new partnership between Special Olympic Massachusetts and BPS. Upon first walking into the gym, the sound of power drills and metal clashing echoed as locker room construction was underway. This was shortly drowned out by a wave of cheering as students…

“It’s like I’m coming home in a way,” said 16-time Boston Marathon runner Bonnie Bence. Bonnie has been racing since she was 62 years old, and she is now turning 78 this year. Throughout the past 16 years Bonnie has completed a total of 32 marathons; and something about Boston always brings her back to Beantown. “I fell in love with the city and the people as well,” she said. Bonnie learned about the Special Olympics MA Xtra Mile Team through her son Chris, who works as the Director of Corporate Alliances for ESPN Relationships at Special Olympic International….

Written By: Radley Theolien Erik Sampson went to Mount Wachusett Community College, and his favorite sport is hockey. Erik has been a Special Olympics athlete for six years, and is considered a versatile athlete. He has played football, hockey, track and field, bowling and golf. To Erik, being a Special Olympics athlete means, “the opportunity to make new friends, meet people all over the state around you, getting things that you never tried before and having fun as well on top of it.” One day, Erik hopes to be a sports broadcaster on air, in front of the TV….

Written By: Erik Sampson Lionel Messi once said, “You can overcome anything, if, and only if, you love something enough.” Twenty-one year-old Special Olympics soccer phenom Radley Theolien exemplifies this quote every day. How did Radley Theolien become a soccer phoenam? His road to stardom started at the age of six, when he was taught by his grandfather. In order to get better at the sport, he also learned how to play by attending a soccer camp and watching videos on YouTube of his favorite players and teams. The best part of playing soccer for Radley is his ability…

Written By: Amanda Church Anne DeForge is the definition of resilient.  Anne, a Special Olympics athlete out of Springfield, Massachusetts has had to overcome more obstacles in 35 years than most people do in their entire lives. Prior to living in Springfield, Anne lived in Syracuse, NY with her loving family. That all took a tragic turn when Anne’s parents both passed away within a few short years. How does someone deal with so much?  Anne’s sisters not only knew they had a big task in making sure Anne was going to finish high school, but they also had…

Written By: Anne DeForge Do think you could swim 25 yards while carrying the weight of two metal rods? Special Olympics Massachusetts Hall Fame athlete Amanda Church does just that every time she jumps in the pool.   When she was very young, Amanda was diagnosed with scoliosis. In 2001, when she was in the 8th grade, she had surgery to place the two metal rods at the Children’s Hospital. Without the surgery Amanda and her family were told that she could face a lot of complications in the future.  Amanda had started swimming when she was just 8 years-old and has…