Special Olympics of Minnesota
“You Can Dream”
“You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful place in the world, but it requires people to make the dream a reality.” – Walt Disney
My name is Danielle and I have cerebral palsy,
which is a neurological disorder that affects my
motor skills. The CP that I have affects my head,
arms, legs and speech. My head and arms shake
and spasm similar to that of a person with
Parkinson’s and I have had seven surgeries
in order to walk.
When I moved to Cold Spring in 2002, I met
Special Olympics Coach and Kid Stop Coordinator
Nancy Schwindel, who approached my mom and
me and educated us about Special Olympics. She
thought I would be a great candidate, and a week
later I attended my first Special Olympics
bowling practice. I was very shy at first when I joined
because I did not know what was involved in Special
Olympics, as I had not heard of it and I was used to
hanging out with kids who did not have disabilities.
It only took a week for me to warm up to the Special
Olympics Family. I then started to compete in unified
bowling, swimming, track, golf and bocce. Currently
I compete in swimming and golf.
Special Olympics have been such a positive
influence in my life. My personality has changed
a lot as I have a place to go where everyone is allowed
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in the future as I make my way to college in one and
a half years. I try to be friends with many and show
that even though my differences are visible, we are
all slightly different and should be accepting of one
another. My self-esteem has grown so much because
I am like everyone else in my own special way, which
led me to join the school swim team. Overall, Special
Olympics has changed me dramatically. I am more
outgoing and I have priceless friends and experiences
I would not change for the world. Special Olympics
have made my dreams a reality.
For information about Special Olympics
of Minnesota please visit: www.specialolympicsminnesota.org
www.pga.com/diversity