I am so excited to be running my first marathon and fundraising for Team Special Olympics Chicago. I am fundraising in honor of my mom, Denise, who just retired after a 20 year career in my childhood school district. The majority of my mom's tenure was spent as an instruction assistant in a highly individualized special education program designed to serve the unique and intensive needs of students. My mom's connection with her students and passion for furthering their personal and educational growth is something that will always admire about my mom.
Team Special Olympics Chicago is a group of runners dedicated to supporting thousands of Chicagoans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and I am proud to be a member of this team.