Special Olympics

Two weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking pictures at the 2016 Special Olympics Missouri State Summer Games. Special Olympics has been a passion of mine ever since my mom started coaching at our school. I was basically born in to it. I went along as soon I was born and I started volunteering when I was six. I started competing as a unified partner when I was 8. If you aren't familiar with unified sports, it is when athletes without an intellectual disability competes as a partner with an athlete who does have a disability. I have been pretty active since then. Fast forward a few years to my junior year of High School when they asked me to be the Assistant Public Relations person for Team Missouri at the 2010 USA Games in Nebraska. I got to take pictures of the athletes and I was in love with my camera. I knew I wanted to be a photographer professionally.
     Ever since then, I have been a volunteer photographer at an event or two each year. It is rewarding to give back to the athletes and being apart of those moments. When their faces light up as they receive their medal or ribbon, when they finish their race, it is priceless. I feel like I have a second family with Special Olympics. Some of my best friends, I have met through the program.
  If you've never volunteered or been to a Special Olympics event, I highly recommend it. You will walk away with a big smile on your face. You can go to www.somo.org to find out more about Special Olympics and opportunities near you to volunteer it. Now I have some photos from the most recent competition.