Special Olympics Virginia, Inc.

Karen is most at home when her running shoes are pounding the pavement. Six days a week, several miles a day, all year long. Karen, a Special Olympics athlete who lives in Springfield, Va., is a runner – a marathon runner.

She's laced up her running shoes everywhere from Richmond, Va., for the Richmond Marathon, to Dublin, Ireland, for the 2003 World Games, to Shanghai, China, for the 2007 World Games Torch Run Final Leg. This summer, Karen laced them up again for the 2011 World Games in Athens, Greece. During her time there she scored two gold medals—one in the 10,000M and another in the half marathon.

Each time Karen hits the track shoes, each time she finishes a race, Karen is a winner, because she demonstrates that everyone is capable of achievement. That she – and the many others with intellectual disabilities – can do anything they put their minds to, as long as you give them the chance. A chance that her parents, Ernestine and Joe, gave her 24 years ago, when at age 1, she weighed only 12 pounds. “She didn’t even start walking until after she turned 2,” Ernestine said. Years later, after many hurdles, she found her niche on the track.

When it comes down to it, though, Karen won long before she crossed the finish line in Athens. In her 14 years with Special Olympics, Karen has broken the most difficult barrier – rising above the misperceptions placed on her and the millions of others with intellectual disabilities by society every day. Your support of the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign helps make Karen’s dreams of gold, and our Commonwealth’s dream of inclusion for all, a reality.

We are a CVC Charity. To support Special Olympics Virginia’s efforts to open hearts and change minds designate your gift to 3844.

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