Special Olympics Ontario
Over the past 51 years Special Olympics has grown from a modest program serving local athletes to become the world’s largest movement dedicated to promoting respect, acceptance, inclusion, and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sports.
Special Olympics Ontario has optimized the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle through sport to improve the well-being of individuals with an intellectual disability.
We continue to improve and expand the quality, opportunity and accessibility of sport to individuals with an intellectual disability. Along with this, we strive to improve upon both the awareness and support of the community in regards to Special Olympics Ontario and those involved with us. As an organization, we work to ensure our volunteers are strongly committed to acting locally while thinking globally. Through these steps, we hope to continue to build upon the past success
Participation in Special Olympics is linked to a reduced risk of depression among young adults with intellectual disabilities.
Meet Alma!
As a parent you look forward to your child reaching certain milestones. Their first smile, their first words, their first steps…but what if it doesn’t happen? This was the case for Alma Loken’s parents, their adorable little girl took a much longer time to walk than children her age. When Alma finally walked, she couldn’t do so independently. Her parents were notably worried about their daughter’s physical development.
They discovered the Special Olympics Ontario program, Active Start in 2015. They enrolled Alma, whose bubbly and charming personality, captured the hearts of program volunteers over the years. Alma may be small, but she exhibits huge determination. Over the course of the program, she’s learned to walk on her own. She even ran for the first time, which was a joyful and emotional milestone, especially for her family. Jumping, skipping, and kicking a ball are just a few of her accomplishments. Alma hopes to learn how to figure skate and participate in rhythmic gymnastics as she grows up. Her dream is to represent Canada at a Special Olympics World Games someday.
Special Olympics Ontario provides a safe space for young children with intellectual disabilities, where they grow and learn through different sporting activities. Together, we can positively change the lives of children like Alma.
Say Hi To Matt!
Matt Fields is someone who does not let an intellectual disability stand in his way. As a sport enthusiast and musician, this young man keeps himself very busy. No matter the season you can find Matt participating in some kind of sport. In the summer he enjoys golfing and soccer. In the winter, it’s Alpine skiing. Matt’s quite the skier, in 2017 he was selected to join team Canada in the Special Olympics World Winter Games. His amazing skiing abilities were not developed overnight. Matt’s been skiing with Special Olympics Ontario for over 10 years, training and developing into the accomplished athlete that he is today.
When he’s not hitting the slopes, Matt enjoys playing and writing music. He’s a great drummer who has also taken up the guitar. The Beatles are one of his favourite bands and provide a great source of inspiration. What can we say? Matt’s got great taste! He records his own music, we wouldn’t be surprised if one day he’ll be adding his songs to your playlist.
Special Olympics Ontario continues to provide a space for athletes like Matt, to not only become pros, but to also have fun. Athletes inspire us daily with their drive to succeed, and their hopes to change public perception, of what it means to have an intellectual disability. Thanks to amazing people like you, we are able to help athletes realize their full potential no matter what they choose to do.
SKI AND SNOWBOARD