Impact Report

See your support in action

Because of incredible donors like you, more than 45,000 Canadian children, youth and adults with intellectual disabilities can reach their full potential. Your ongoing support of Special Olympics Canada allows these individuals to access the transformative power of sport not only through Special Olympics’ competitive programs, but also its daily community programs offered across the country.


Learn more about the lives you’ve changed in the stories below.

Deb and Mike Sumner take a selfie together.
Special Olympics Team Yukon a family affair for this Whitehorse family
With Mike competing in figure skating and Deb a curling coach, the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020 will be the mother-son duo’s third time travelling to a National Games as part of Special Olympics Team Yukon.
view full
Adam and Brendon stand side by side with their heads shaved looking into the camera
One brother went through chemo, the other through major surgery. Now they’re both representing New Brunswick at Winter Games
Since the last Winter Games in 2016, Brendon, a 24-year-old speed skater with autism, has survived cancer and Adam, a 22-year-old curler with autism, has recovered from a surgery that removed 40 per cent of his lung.
view full
Eric sits in a chair getting his eyes checked.
Special Olympics’ Healthy Athletes program unleashes PEI bowler’s potential with new prescription glasses
Special Olympics Team PEI five-pin bowler Eric Smith, 36, has had cataracts since a young age.
view full
Matthew and Crystal hug on their wedding day while looking into the camera.
Happy Valentine's Day from Special Olympics' Matthew and Crystal Williams
Langley B.C.’s Matthew and Crystal Williams are high school sweethearts who met through their special education class at Walnut Grove Secondary School...
view full
Tracey Melesko cross country skis in front of a tree line.
Kelowna’s Tracey Melesko leads Special Olympics Team BC cross-country skiers to success ahead of Winter Games
Special Olympics Team British Columbia’s cross-country skiers are a tight-knit group bound for success with longtime Kelowna athlete Tracey Melesko at the helm.
view full
Two male Special Olympics athlete smile looking into the camera in front of a basketball court
Apply for a Special Olympics Canada 2020 research grant
Special Olympics Canada is accepting applications for 2020 research grants. The organization is looking for Special Olympics-oriented research...
view full
Two male Special Olympics athlete smile looking into the camera in front of a basketball court
Apply for a Special Olympics Canada Research Grant
Special Olympics Canada is accepting applications for research grants! The organization is looking for Special Olympics-oriented research proposals...
view full
Logan Firmage smile and looks in the camera.
From a town with no bowling alley to National Games: Meet this 15-year-old Special Olympics Team Newfoundland five-pin bowler
Special Olympics Newfoundland & Labrador’s Logan Firmage rarely bowls at a bowling alley – but that didn’t stop the 15-year-old from qualifying for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020.
view full
Madalyn, left, stands atop the podium smiling at the camera next to another athlete
In just three years, this 17-year-old snowshoer has gained confidence – and a spot on Special Olympics Team Saskatchewan 2020
Saskatoon’s Madalyn Gramiak has spent many years cheering for her older sister on the soccer field. Now that she’s a Special Olympics Saskatchewan athlete, it’s Madalyn’s turn to be the “superstar” in the family.
view full
Photos of Dereck Boutilier before and after weightloss
Dream of playing floor hockey helped this Special Olympics Team Nova Scotia athlete transform his life, lose 140 pounds
Special Olympics Nova Scotia’s Dereck Boutilier always wanted to play floor hockey, but at 302-pounds it just wasn’t possible.
view full