My life as a Special Olympican of Missouri: The Games are over 7-9-18

OK WOW! What a great week I just experienced, not only I had some laughs (will talk about it later) but I also surprised myself, and I watched my other teammates on the athletic's team, saw how they grew in a year!

First thing first, What I been doing since I got home from the games, I tried to sleep in the first morning I returned, that didn’t happen! I woke up at 7am! That wasn’t in my plans. So I decided to get ahead start on the laundry. I also unpacked my pack pack and my suitcase, let me tell you...that was SO much fun....NOT! It’s still in my room, on the floor! I guess I need to work on that, one job at a time! I also showed my medals off at my grandma’s. Jesse didn’t bring them to my grandma’s. I also showed them to my neighbor! She was SO shocked how big there were! Believe it or not, I was too when I saw them first! I was like....OH MY GOSH! The last past two days I been sorting my state pins I traded with other states, and I finally figured out that I’m missing only 4 pins, I think that’s pretty good for my first time. I’m missing Utah, South California, District of Columbia (that was a hard one) and Georgia.

My thoughts of the USA games:

So when the team (Kansas City group) got on the plane, I had butterflies in my stomach, it wasn’t because of the plane ride, it was because, well I get nervous when I compete, I wish I didn’t. And if I get nervous I won’t perform the best. So that’s why I was nervous on the plane. My goal was to show myself and my state, what I can do, and what I can accomplish! And that’s what I did! Before I competed in my events, I took deep breaths (couple of them), say in my head (that I can do it), (and this is what I’ve been training for a year for) and that helped me a lot! Plus my coaches gave me right words I was looking for. The competitions was even match. I felt really good about that. The Opening and the Closing Ceremonies was great, great music! The only thing I didn’t like, it was a big crowd. It was too much for me, but I think I handled it pretty well. It was really nice to meet other athletes from each state. I even became friends with some!

After the USA games:

When we aboard the plane to Kansas City, I was SO tired, but I didn’t sleep on the plane, my brother did. I slept on the bus. When we got off the plane, I was so shocked how many people I saw that cheered for us! That was awesome! I was so happy that I saw my aunt and my little cousin. Went to claim our bags, they were a lot of bags! Helped to get other bags, and found jesse’s and mine. Said goodbye to everyone, I tried really hard not to cry, but I felt sad, but I know I’ll see them at State Competitions. I will definitely miss the monthly meetings and socialize with these great group of people, not just the athletes but the coaches as well. On our way home, I saw a van parked in our property, it has welcomed sign, that was SO awesome!

My goals after USA games:

I’ve decided to make goals for myself, I really think this will motivate me, I decided to keep working out and eating healthy, still doing blogs posts, go to the World's games, maybe go to another National games in the future, and keep in touch with my team MO 2018 family.

Top 7 highlights of the week of the USA games:

1. won GOLD in my 100 meter run

2. When Brett scared the coaches and me (we were having a race, who would get on our floor first, us or Brett, we took the elevator.

3. Beating all of my scores in all of my events

4. Trading pins with every state (almost every state)

5. Experienced the best time of my life, I will never forget it!

6. I was so happy that I got gold on my 100 meter run, I ran and gave a big hug to coach Michelle!
7. Having all of my Canadian family to support my brother Jesse and I

Thank You’s:

I would like to say a BIG thank you to all of my family, friends, and my local and USA games coaches, for giving me this chance and supporting me in the past year.

And a BIG thank you to the Specail Olympics Missouri staff, without you, and this organization I wouldn’t have experienced this great journey, and having faith in me and believing in me.

I will continue to train and aim for World’s Games one day, maybe one day I can go, then my dreams will be fulfilled!