Courtesy art

A delegation from Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) traveled to Washington, D.C. last week to participate in the annual Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day, joining more than 250 athletes, Unified partners, educators, and leaders from across the country to advocate for inclusion and critical federal funding.

Throughout the event, athletes led face-to-face meetings with Members of Congress, sharing their lived experiences and urging lawmakers to support education, health, and wellness initiatives for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Representing Bay City’s Handy Middle School were Unified Partner Charlotte Hart and athlete Eliza Manchester, who shared stories of friendship, teamwork, and personal growth through Unified Sports and involvement in their school’s Youth Activation Committee.

They were joined by longtime educators and Unified Champion Schools leaders Nicole Arsenault and Angela Salinas, whose leadership has helped Handy Middle School earn National Banner School recognition while building a culture of empathy, belonging, and student empowerment.

SOMI staff members Kellie Murphy, Manager of Sports & Wellness, and Dan Ekonen, Chief Mission Officer, also participated in meetings to highlight the importance of continued investment in health programming. During Hill Day, the delegation emphasized the need to address health disparities faced by people with intellectual disabilities, including reduced access to preventative care and higher rates of chronic disease.

Together, the Michigan delegation demonstrated the powerful academic, social, and emotional impact of Special Olympics programming and reinforced the importance of sustained federal support to ensure individuals of all abilities have the opportunity to thrive.