What was RJ’s moment of hope?

It came when this Special Olympics athlete — who’d been told he’d never succeed in traditional schooling — received his acceptance letter from the University of Alabama.

Since we know you care about  supporting Special Olympics athletes, we’re reaching out. The next 24 hours are an exciting time to help more athletes like RJ find moments of hope, because our Giving Week match has just started!

Support Special Olympics athletes by making your FIRST gift, and it will be DOUBLED —  but only until midnight tomorrow. Plus, every donor who makes a gift today will have their name featured on the Special Olympics website next month, so hurry — give today >> 

For RJ growing up, Special Olympics was everything: the friends who swam in the next lane, the coaches who reminded him of his worth and capability, an entire community who filled the poolside with cheers when he competed at the 2010 USA Games in Nebraska.

And the love of sports Special Olympic fostered in RJ eventually became a bridge to college — something he never expected:

“College wasn't really an option growing up. Doctors told us I'd never be able to do mainstream learning. So, I believed it. But when I learned I could study sports journalism, I started to believe a different story. I started taking a few classes at community college. It was rough and I needed extra help. But I got by and eventually felt ready to apply to a four-year university.”
- RJ, Special Olympics Athlete

RJ graduated college with honors. Today, he’s an athlete reporter with Special Olympics North America. RJ’s story is a moment of hope that became a lifetime of hope. 

Give more athletes like RJ the chance to thrive in and out of the pool. Make your DOUBLED gift before midnight:

Let’s show up for RJ, and every athlete,

The Special Olympics Team