I want you to remember and believe the words above.

I’m a Special Olympics athlete. I’ve ran 26 marathons, I hit the top 100 women in the Boston Marathon twice, and I won a few awards along the way too.

I was only able to achieve all of this because, thanks to Special Olympics, I stepped outside my comfort zone. I learned to hear “you can do this” instead of “you can’t.” I learned to believe in myself because other people believed in me. And every person with an intellectual disability (ID) deserves that same support.

Please, answer this one question: Will you fight for the equality and dignity of people with ID?

My story could have been much different. I tried to quit Special Olympics after my first practice. My mom said that if I gave up then, I'd always be quitting.

It wasn’t easy for me growing up. I was bullied. I was called terrible names — including the “r” word. I was told I wouldn’t be anything and I wasn’t worth anything. I was deeply underestimated.

People with ID go through this every day. We ignore it when people say hurtful things. We go to school and work with people who make our lives hard just because we’re born a little different. And when someone says we can’t, we have to work really hard to show that we can.

We do it because we have hope that we can improve our skills, lead on and off the field, and change the world for the better. People with ID struggle and accomplish because we deserve to live our lives to the fullest.

Through our courage, athletes like me have earned every opportunity we get. Now, we need you by our side to help. Will you fight for people with ID so they can learn, grow, and shine?

YES
No

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and ensuring that every person with ID gets treated with the respect and kindness they deserve.

With gratitude,

Loretta Claiborne
Chief Inspiration Officer, Special Olympics