Meeting the Moment

In this episode hear from Meeting the Moment Season 2 sponsor MiABLE and a plan holder on the benefits of creating a savings account for those with disabilities. Learn more about MiABLE here.

In this episode, meet Dr. Jen Smart, an advocate and audiologist. How she's changing the game, helping athletes access free health screenings and empowering them with the tools they need. In 1997, Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® began offering free health screenings and education to Special Olympics athletes in a welcoming, fun environment. Since then, we have delivered over 2 million free health screenings and trained close to 300,000 health professionals and students to treat people with intellectual disabilities. Healthy Athletes offers screenings in nine disciplines: MedFest (history and physical exam) Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes® (vision/eye health) Healthy Hearing (audiology) Special Smiles (dentistry) Health Promotion (prevention and nutrition) Strong Minds (emotional health) FUNfitness (physical therapy) Fit Feet (podiatry)

In this episode, we explore the concept of Cultural Competency. What it is, how to have honest conversations, and the importance of authenticity. Resources: Waking Up White Crucial Conversations

In this episode meet Gabe, a Western Michigan University student, and Max, a Special Olympics Michigan athlete. Together, the two are working to build Unified Sports Programming in Kalamazoo at the college level. We explain why the program is thriving... as a result of initial failure. To learn more on SO College: https://www.somi.org/program/so-college

Nori Barnes, Special Olympics Illinois athlete and human trafficking survivor shares an emotional and inspiring story of her road to freedom following years of physical and emotional abuse that started from an early age. She explains how Special Olympics has helped reshape her life and learn that it is OK to fail. Follow Nori on Social Media: TikTok Instagram Facebook

Meeting the Moment - Special Olympics Michigan's newest storytelling platform. Stories from and inspired by the Special Olympics inclusion movement across Michigan and beyond.   Welcome to Meeting the Moment, the Special Olympics Michigan podcast inspired by our Special Olympics athletes - the true game-changers who stand tall, push comfort zones, and inspire us when it counts - in the moment. Here, we share stories about how Special Olympics game-changers met "their moment" and rose above, to make a more inclusive, just world.  First five episodes launch Thursday, May 25. Hear from: AFTER AUDREY. Guests: Kelly & Carl Jandernoa. How love, loss, and a daughter with Down syndrome inspired a movement. ACCEPTANCE ISN'T ENOUGH. Guests: Unified Partners Delaney Seltzer & Ajene Robinson. The difference between tolerance and total inclusion in the schools STEPPING UP FOR MY SISTER. Guest: Lisa Hendricks. Why two sisters with disabilities inspired a loved one to go above and beyond. BARBIE KNOWS BEST. Guests: Katie Hollis & Kayla McKeon. How this history of a century old doll is not longer being defined by outdated standards.

Meet Austin - a SOMI AmeriCorps member - who has committed his life to leading through service. In this episode, listen to how the program has changed his life and molded his future, despite a vision impairment and taking on a new endeavor. Resources: Learn more or apply for the SOMI AmeriCorps program here. Is your child ages 2-7 (with or without an intellectual disability) Get involved in the SOMI Young Athletes program!

In this episode, meet Rich Coleman, a lifelong public servant committed to improving his community. Rich, a CMU alum, attended the first-ever Special Olympics Michigan Summer Games on the campus of Central Michigan University in 1974. He explains how that moment started it all... Sound Cloud ~ https://on.soundcloud.com/Gxji7 Ritchie Coleman, YouTube Channel, "The Prevention Corner" ~ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmS5U_P4B7p4wGO4ehgprVQ  Rich Coleman, Prevention Entertainment, Email ~ rcpreventioncorner@gmail.com

Meet the Baker family, social media stars who started sharing their life with the public at the start of the pandemic through "Baker Banter." Derek, a Special Olympics Missouri athlete, has always wanted to be in the spotlight - and now is! But, making the leap wasn't easy, and they have encountered many haters along the way. Follow BakerBanter: Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook

Michigan Department of Corrections Manager, Lisa Hendricks, speaks on growing up with two sisters with intellectual disabilities. While she was exposed and had a love for Special Olympics Michigan at an early age, it was grieving the death of a sister and a week-long ride in an RV with the Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) that healed her soul. Hear how her mission in life is to leave behind a legacy beyond her 9 to 5, and hopes others will do the same. Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run The Law Enforcement Torch Run® is the single largest grassroots fundraising effort for Special Olympics International. The two main goals of the Law Enforcement Torch Run® are to raise funds and create awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Michigan. https://www.somi.org/letr

Live Boldly. Love Big. Pass it on. How a family turned loss into love. The Red Glasses Movement was started in honor of Audrey Jandernoa, who passed away at just 5 years old. Audrey was a remarkable little lady born with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect. These were not the things that defined her. Audrey was defined by her Red Glasses, contagious smile, her curious mind, and giant, loving heart. If you knew Audrey, then you were most likely crushed by one of her giant hugs or watched her run with a purpose to find the next great adventure. Audrey came across many obstacles in life whether medically or cognitively. She overcame them all with hard work and a smile on her face and even more love to give and share. Red Glasses Movement: https://redglassesmovement.org/

Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, Katie Hollis, and New York Special Olympics Athlete/National Down Syndrome Association Board Member, Kayla McKeon, speak on the push to change laws in the effort to create a more inclusive world for all. How they each landed unexpected jobs as lobbyists. And, meet the mind behind the creation of the first Barbie with Down syndrome. It's toy maker Matel's first change to the iconic toy in it's 65-year history. Barbie's Fashionisa Doll With Down Syndrome Meet the first Barbie® doll with Down syndrome! Barbie® partnered with the National Down Syndrome Society to design a doll that celebrates this community. https://shop.mattel.com/products/barbie-fashionista-doll-down-syndrome-hjt05 Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan The Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan is a resource and advocacy organization promoting public awareness and supporting lifelong opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. https://www.dsawm.org/ NDSS (National Down Syndrome Society) NDSS envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities. https://ndss.org/

Special Olympics Michigan athlete and Special Olympics U.S. Youth Ambassador, Max Hinga, doesn't know the word "no," despite having heard it from others many times throughout his life. In this episode, Max explains how he's embraced his autism without letting it define him, and why he's encouraging others to "just keep being you." Learn more on Special Olympics U.S. Youth Ambassadors: https://www.specialolympics.org/what-we-do/youth-and-schools/unified-champion-schools/u-s-youth-ambassadors.

How a Unified pair overcame the R-Word. Meet Special Olympics Michigan Unified Partners, Ajene Robinson and Delaney Seltzer. The two have been spreading a message of Inclusion since high school, letting their voices grow louder instead of silent when disrespected by their peers during a presentation on hurtful language geared toward those with intellectual disabilities. Spread the Word: Inclusion Take the pledge to promote respect and inclusion, ending the use of the R-word. https://www.spreadtheword.global/ Special Olympics Michigan Youth Activation Committee https://www.somi.org/news/youth-leadership-yac Inclusive youth leadership is when young people of all abilities are given opportunities to be leaders in their schools and communities. These leadership activities help students find their voices and teach them to become change agents in their communities by promoting equity and acceptance. Social inclusion is best fostered when activities within the classroom, school, and community are designed and implemented by a diverse group of students within a school.