Special Olympics focuses on athletes with intellectual disabilities, emphasizing that they want the same opportunities as everyone else (friends, jobs, independence) without social barriers. The organization helps remove obstacles to let athletes thrive. SOPA is all about the athletes and their remarkable resilience under challenging conditions. One remarkable fact about the athletes with intellectual disabilities is that they want to seek normalcy, inclusion, and the same opportunities as anyone else. They are not looking for "special" treatment or lowered expectations from people.
If we had something going on on Mondays, she'd say: 'No, that's when we go to Cornell,' said Beverly Dodici, Emma's mother. Having neurotypical peers who made her feel like she was a part of the community - it really built her confidence and self-esteem.