Courtesy artwork
A delegation from Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) traveled to Washington, D.C. final week to take part within the annual Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day, becoming a member of greater than 250 athletes, Unified companions, educators, and leaders from throughout the nation to advocate for inclusion and significant federal funding.
Throughout the occasion, athletes led face-to-face conferences with Members of Congress, sharing their lived experiences and urging lawmakers to help training, well being, and wellness initiatives for people with mental disabilities.
Representing Bay City’s Handy Middle School have been Unified Partner Charlotte Hart and athlete Eliza Manchester, who shared tales of friendship, teamwork, and private progress by way of Unified Sports and involvement of their college’s Youth Activation Committee.
They have been joined by longtime educators and Unified Champion Schools leaders Nicole Arsenault and Angela Salinas, whose management has helped Handy Middle School earn National Banner School recognition whereas constructing a tradition of empathy, belonging, and pupil empowerment.
SOMI employees members Kellie Murphy, Manager of Sports & Wellness, and Dan Ekonen, Chief Mission Officer, additionally participated in conferences to focus on the significance of continued funding in well being programming. During Hill Day, the delegation emphasised the necessity to handle well being disparities confronted by individuals with mental disabilities, together with diminished entry to preventative care and better charges of power illness.
Together, the Michigan delegation demonstrated the highly effective tutorial, social, and emotional influence of Special Olympics programming and strengthened the significance of sustained federal help to make sure people of all talents have the chance to thrive.