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What was RJ’s first moment of joy?

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 joy, 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. 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 joy that became a lifetime of joy.

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,

Cheri DeQuattro
Vice President, Corporate Development