Author: Ali Phaneuf You’ll never guess how athletes like Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Steve McLendon, Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, and English professional soccer player Rio Ferdinand perfected their footwork. When they weren’t training with their teams, you might have been able to find them practicing their dance skills. Why? Here are the top health benefits for athletes that practice dance: Improve coordination Improve balance Improve memory Improve cardiovascular health Improve flexibility And just like these professional athletes improved their minds and bodies through dance, so can our Special Olympics athletes. In fact, just four years ago Amanda Santos saw…

Meet the returning Special Olympics MA athletes that are headed to the 2022 USA Games in Orlando!

Author: Ali Phaneuf With just 6 months left until the 2022 USA Games, our athletes are in crunch mode to train, practices, and prepare to compete at their highest level. How are they doing this? Well, one way is through the Special Olympics Fitness Challenge. The challenge, which started on Monday January 10th and ends May 29th, encourages Special Olympics athletes, partners, coaches, and other delegates to achieve ONE MILLION steps over the course of 20 weeks. According to our Manager of Community Engagement and Fitness, Vicky DiNatale, “This challenge will allow our athletes to focus on fitness outside…

Author: Ali Phaneuf When Special Olympics cheerleaders stepped onto the field during the last local flag football game of the season at Worcester State University, they were met with a wave of support from football players, coaches, families, and friends. After four weeks of practice, the eight athletes performed a routine that held two separate cheers and brand new skills. The dedication and hard work of three sophomore students at Worcester State University (Chanelle LaBossiere, Kelsey Houle, and Iza Julie Marques) made this program possible. “Because of the pandemic last year, we weren’t really able to get involved in…

Author: Quinn Roddy On Thursday, October 14th, Norwood Public Schools organized a district-wide opening ceremony and inclusive walk to demonstrate their participation in Special Olympics MA’s Unified Champion Schools program. The Norwood school district recently became a Unified Partner with Special Olympics MA and they kicked off the new school year in style with an opening ceremony that included five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. While the students and faculty were the main participants in the ceremonies, the Norwood Police and Fire Department played an important role in making sure the torch got from school…

Author: Quinn Roddy Next Monday, Ian Saarmann will race in the 125th Boston Marathon after raising a whopping $17,000 for the Special Olympics Massachusetts Xtra Mile Marathon Team. As the sports and fitness director for Living Independently Forever Inc. (LIFE), Ian’s relationship with Special Olympics MA has been monumental. LIFE Inc. has three separate locations and the program supports adults with autism and learning and intellectual disabilities in their pursuit of a meaningful, healthy, independent life. Ian has been the sports and fitness director there for the better part of two decades and helps LIFE members stay active and…

Author: Ali Phaneuf On October 11th Special Olympics Pennsylvania athlete Ernie Roundtree will be racing in the 125th Boston Marathon. Why? Because it’s been a lifelong dream of his. How? Because of one special game changer: retired Mansfield police Sgt. and Special Olympics Massachusetts’ Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) executive board member, Larry Crosman. When Larry attended the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Washington State, he had no idea that the experience would bring him a lifelong friend. Larry was an escort for the Flame of Hope at the USA Games when he met Ernie, and it was…

By: Maria McElroy, PLAN of Massachusetts & Rhode Island Every parent is concerned about what the future holds for their children. Parents of a special needs child have, what some may describe as a monumental level of concern. If you are like many parents, you have woken up in the middle of the night worrying about your child. Worrying about what will happen to them when you are no longer here. You are not alone. Hundreds of parents who have children with disabilities have these same thoughts and concerns, yet they often become so overwhelmed with the options that…

Author: Ali Phaneuf After a one-year hiatus amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, the New England Revolution Unified team is excited to be stepping back on the field this Saturday. But for one athlete in particular, this year is still proving to be slightly unconventional. Jimmy Keith has played for the Revs Unified team for six years, and this year is like no other for the seasoned athlete. On Saturday, September 18th the Revs Unified team will play against the Andover Stars Unified team at Gillette Stadium. And for Jimmy, this means playing against a team that is coached by his…

Author: Drew Frey Carl Hanson has been competing with Special Olympics Massachusetts for 20 years and he continues to bring overflowing enthusiasm to every event. He remembers back in 2011 discovering Special Olympics through his friends and then signing up for events because his parents encouraged him to challenge himself. Now Carl participates in Special Olympics competitions year-round, including bocce, soccer, bowling, volleyball, and track and field. Competing with the Greater Springfield teams, Carl learned to celebrate successes and overcome obstacles through sports. One of Carl’s proudest moments came at the Winter Games tournament in March of 2019. He…