Shreya and her family moved from New Jersey to Virginia in 2023. Just a year later, she joined Special Olympics Virginia. As a proud Area 26 athlete and passionate swimmer, Shreya has found her rhythm, her confidence, and her community through Special Olympics Virginia.
Special Olympics changed their lives.
For the first time in our lives, it actually feels like everything is going to be okay.
Swimming has always come naturally to Shreya. Her mother, Lakshna Jha, describes her as a “water kid” from the start. With Special Olympics, that love for the water became something more — a place to set goals, challenge herself, and grow.
In just a short time, Shreya has made impressive progress in her sport. She competed in the 25-, 50-, and 100-meter backstroke events and represented Area 26 at the 2024 Summer Games. She proudly brought home two gold medals and one bronze — a reflection of her dedication, focus, and passion.
“When Shreya aligns with something she loves, she gives it 200 percent,” said Lakshna.
But the medals are only part of her story.
Diagnosed as a highly functional autistic individual, Shreya has gained more than athletic success through Special Olympics. She’s found her voice. Over the past year, Shreya has refined her swimming technique and blossomed socially. Her confidence has soared—she’s more engaged, more outgoing, and prouder than ever of who she is.
Most importantly, Special Olympics has given Shreya and her family a sense of belonging. It’s a community built on support, encouragement, and inclusion — and it’s helped anchor their new life in Virginia.