Special Olympics has been a part of my life for the past 15 years. On May 7, 2024, that relationship took another step when I joined the Special Olympics Virginia team as a part-time employee at the Fairfax office.
Over the past two years, I have had a phenomenal experience working alongside my coworkers and colleagues. I felt a strong sense of community, belonging, and unity through the relationships I built at the office. My coworkers were incredibly supportive and encouraging, and they gave me opportunities to work on fun and creative projects while learning new skills along the way.
Through my work, I gained experience with stop-motion animation, Google Docs, Google Drive and other internet-based software and tools. As a person with autism and a member of the disability community, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn, contribute, and find new ways to make a difference in my community and the world around me.
One of the things I appreciated most about working at Special Olympics Virginia was how much my coworkers made me feel like part of the team. I still remember my 26th birthday, when they surprised me with a birthday cake featuring me wearing a Ghostbusters jumpsuit. They knew how much I love Ghostbusters, so that made the celebration especially memorable.
I also have great memories of celebrating Halloween with my coworkers. One year, I dressed up as the Grim Reaper and painted a pumpkin black and gray. Some of my favorite moments, though, were the simple ones, like gathering around the conference room for lunch and having enjoyable, down-to-earth conversations with everyone.
Another part of my job that I really enjoyed was creating stop-motion animation projects for Special Olympics Virginia. I created videos for fall registration, the Polar Plunge, the organization's partnership with Jersey Mike's and the 2026 Plane Pull. One of my favorites was a LEGO stop-motion project promoting the Plane Pull. I loved being able to combine my creativity with the work Special Olympics Virginia was doing to reach and engage people.
Unfortunately, the time has come for me to move on from my role at the Special Olympics Virginia office as I begin the next chapter of my life. I will be starting a full-time job as a teacher assistant at Freedom High School, where I will once again have the opportunity to work with students with disabilities.
I am definitely a little nervous about starting something new because I want to do well and give my best effort in my new role. At the same time, I am very excited about this next chapter and the opportunity to continue working with and supporting people with disabilities.
While I am saying goodbye to my coworkers at the Fairfax office, I am not saying goodbye to Special Olympics. I will continue to be an athlete and remain involved with the Special Olympics, an organization that has been such an important part of my life for 15 years.
I am incredibly grateful for the people I have met, the things I have learned and the opportunities I have been given through Special Olympics. My time working at the Fairfax office gave me so many great memories and experiences that I will carry with me, and I hope I was able to give my coworkers some great memories in return.
This may be the end of one chapter, but it is certainly not the end of my Special Olympics story.
