Special Olympics Connecticut: Supporting and Inspiring a Special Community

By Ariana Rawls Fine

“Special Olympics Connecticut is about empowering people with intellectual disabilities and paving the way for them to demonstrate their potential and accomplishments through sports and leadership training,” says Michael Mason, president and CEO of Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT). 

“Participate once. Be forever changed and inspired.” The organization’s motto exemplifies how athletes, volunteers and staff are changed, inspired, respected and understood by being involved in events, trainings and other services. Like other Special Olympics state organizations across the nation, SOCT offers athletic training and sports competitions. 

“Going to the Summer Games is like going on a small vacation. We meet all our Special Olympics friends, have fun with them and try our best to get medals. We especially like the dance,” mentions athlete and global messenger Alicia Rostkowski.

Some of the spring and summer happenings in 2025 to increase awareness, raise funds and drive community involvement around the state include Penguin Plunges; basketball, football, soccer and soccer games; golf tournaments; tip-a-cop events; and more.

Healthy Athletes

SOCT’s programs go beyond the competitions that many of us are aware of or have volunteered for in our youth. “Special Olympics Connecticut provides health screenings, education and preventative care to participating athletes through the Healthy Athletes program,” says Debbie Horne, SOCT’s senior director of communications and marketing. “At state competitions, Special Olympics athletes can receive free health screenings between events in a variety of disciplines including physical therapy, podiatry, preventative medicine, mental and emotional wellbeing, dental, vision, audiology, and sport physicals.” 

In addition to health practitioners, the tools include healthy eating and nutrition tables. Special Olympics is the largest health organization for those with intellectual disabilities (ID). Sometimes, those with ID may not have health insurance, reliable transportation to medical practitioners or familiar doctors to treat them, explains Horne. The Healthy Athletes program enables them to gain important information and bolsters their health and well-being. 

Angie D’Amico, an athlete, SOCT employee and athlete health leader, explains that Healthy Athletes has eight disciplines: Opening Eyes, Fit Feet, Fun Fitness, Health Promotion, Healthy Hearing, Strong Minds, MedFest and Special Smiles. “I think every athlete should experience Healthy Athletes at their local games. Special Olympics is not only about sports; it is about health. Every time I go to a Healthy Athletes activity, I learn something new and how to stay healthier,” she adds.

“Special Olympics is also about providing our athletes with accessible, quality healthcare conveniently and at no cost to enhance their overall wellness,” adds Mason. “Our offerings are life-changing and available to individuals throughout their lifetime.”

In 2024, SOCT conducted 1,045 screenings in addition to hands-on training to nearly 250 healthcare professionals and students on how to treat individuals with ID during the events. Local universities partner with SOCT to train healthcare students on patient engagement through presentations, trainings and shared stories from athletes living with ID. Last year, close to 230 additional healthcare students received training at seven events in 2024.

Everyone Plays

In addition to the Special Olympics games we are traditionally used to seeing for many decades in our communities, SOCT also offers unified sports possibilities. Participants can train and compete in 26 sports through over 60 local programs across Connecticut. There are four statewide games happening each year: Winter Games (March), Summer Games (June), Unified Sports Fall Festival (September) and Unified Sports Holiday Classic (November).

Partnering with Schools

“Through our Unified Sports program, individuals at age 2½ years can begin by participating in our Young Athletes Program, continue with Special Olympics Unified Sports at schools and join our community-based local programs that serve children and adults ages 8 to 80+,” states Mason.

SOCT and Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) have collaborated to bring the Special Olympics Unified Sports program to schools for over three decades. The inclusive programs enable students with ID to play with their elementary, middle and high school peers. And there are plenty of volunteering opportunities, including for teammates without ID, coaches, adult and child event volunteers, sponsorships and donor support, corporate team volunteering, interning, fundraising, and more. 

Fostering Athlete Leadership

“Through our Athlete Leadership program, athletes—known as global messengers and health messengers—have opportunities to serve as spokespersons and ambassadors for Special Olympics Connecticut,” says Horne. “They share their Special Olympics stories to help others understand the power and impact participation in its programs has and also serve as decision-makers who provide input and recommendations that help guide the strategy and future of our organization.” 

The athlete leaders participate in virtual and in-person training sessions that feature guest speakers and focus on leadership, public speaking, and building additional business and professional skills. Training sessions focus on health and wellness, nutrition, and personal enrichment. Two athletes also serve on SOCT’s board of directors.

“We have people who have been doing unified sports in their seventies. It helps them with their physical and emotional health, prevents isolation and keeps them engaged. It feels like a family; the staff and volunteers come back year after year. They see the athletes with intellectual disabilities grow up. You feel a sense of accomplishment volunteering, and the smiles you receive volunteering are the trophy,” adds Horne.

The breadth of what SOCT does for those with intellectual disabilities in Connecticut continues to expand beyond the traditional Special Olympics events in our state.

Learn more about volunteering, trainings, wellness offerings, SOCT efforts and more at soct.org.