Stories | Special Olympics Canada

Sharing the joy of sport

Special Olympics has received many incredible stories from people whose lives have been changed and enriched through sport, friendship, fun and mentorship. Some of those people have been kind enough to share their stories with you.

Visit our photo and video galleries featuring our athletes, coaches, and volunteers.

Tori and her dognut

Meet Tori Ranson, creator of Tim Hortons Special Olympics Donut available on Global Day of Inclusion at Tim Hortons across Canada

Tori Ranson, 26, is a well-known and valued member of her Georgetown, Ontario community. The 26-year-old Special Olympics athlete can’t visit her...

Julia Kostecki performs.

Sobeys customers across Canada raise a record $930,000 for Special Olympics athletes

Sobeys, Safeway, Thrifty Foods, IGA, Urban Fresh and Foodland stores across Canada (excluding Quebec) raised a record $930,000 for Special Olympics...

Lenoka competing in Shotput

Calgary’s Leonka Kaluha finds confidence and acceptance at Special Olympics Alberta and Sobeys

Growing up with an intellectual disability, Calgary’s Leonka Kaluha felt judged and bullied. Throughout high school, she was told she wasn’t fast...

ashley at the winter games

‘They treat me like any other employee:’ Special Olympics BC’s Ashley Adie found the perfect fit at Thrifty Foods

Campbell River’s Ashley Adie has been a Special Olympics athlete for 16 years and a Thrifty Foods employee since December 2018. At Special Olympics...

Brian McNab up to bat for Sobeys

Meet PEI’s Brian McNab: Special Olympics World Champion and Sobeys employee

Prince Edward Island’s Brian McNab, 47, has been a Special Olympics athlete for 15 years, competing in softball and floor hockey. He’s also one of...

Brandon and his fathers

Happy Father’s Day from Special Olympics across Canada

In honour of all dads everywhere, we’re sharing Brandon Vansickle’s inspiring story about how his neighbours, turned Dads, turned Special Olympics...

Jackie Barrett competes at the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015.

Record-breaking Powerlifter Jackie Barrett first-ever Special Olympics athlete inducted in Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame

Canadian Powerlifter Jackie Barrett is making history as the first-ever Special Olympics athlete inducted in the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame...

Diversity and Inclusion Infographics Series

Diversity and Inclusion Infographics Series

In the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan, Special Olympics Canada committed to focusing on long-lasting organizational change that goes beyond simply changing...

Glenn Cundari hugs one of his SO Team Canada golfers.

Celebrating our volunteers: How this PGA of Canada Technical Director brought a Special Olympics golf program to North Bay

North Bay’s Glenn Cundari was introduced to Special Olympics through the Professional Golfers’ Association of Canada four years ago.

leaving a legacy gift

SUPPORTING THE FUTURE OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS BY LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY

Manitoba’s Max Feierstein is a dedicated supporter of Special Olympics – he’s been a volunteer, a board member and is passionate about the future of...

Tori and her dognut

Meet Tori Ranson, creator of Tim Hortons Special Olympics Donut available on Global Day of Inclusion at Tim Hortons across Canada

Tori Ranson, 26, is a well-known and valued member of her Georgetown, Ontario community. The 26-year-old Special Olympics athlete can’t visit her...

Julia Kostecki performs.

Sobeys customers across Canada raise a record $930,000 for Special Olympics athletes

Sobeys, Safeway, Thrifty Foods, IGA, Urban Fresh and Foodland stores across Canada (excluding Quebec) raised a record $930,000 for Special Olympics...

Lenoka competing in Shotput

Calgary’s Leonka Kaluha finds confidence and acceptance at Special Olympics Alberta and Sobeys

Growing up with an intellectual disability, Calgary’s Leonka Kaluha felt judged and bullied. Throughout high school, she was told she wasn’t fast...

ashley at the winter games

‘They treat me like any other employee:’ Special Olympics BC’s Ashley Adie found the perfect fit at Thrifty Foods

Campbell River’s Ashley Adie has been a Special Olympics athlete for 16 years and a Thrifty Foods employee since December 2018. At Special Olympics...

Brian McNab up to bat for Sobeys

Meet PEI’s Brian McNab: Special Olympics World Champion and Sobeys employee

Prince Edward Island’s Brian McNab, 47, has been a Special Olympics athlete for 15 years, competing in softball and floor hockey. He’s also one of...

Brandon and his fathers

Happy Father’s Day from Special Olympics across Canada

In honour of all dads everywhere, we’re sharing Brandon Vansickle’s inspiring story about how his neighbours, turned Dads, turned Special Olympics...

Jackie Barrett competes at the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015.

Record-breaking Powerlifter Jackie Barrett first-ever Special Olympics athlete inducted in Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame

Canadian Powerlifter Jackie Barrett is making history as the first-ever Special Olympics athlete inducted in the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame...

Diversity and Inclusion Infographics Series

Diversity and Inclusion Infographics Series

In the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan, Special Olympics Canada committed to focusing on long-lasting organizational change that goes beyond simply changing...

Glenn Cundari hugs one of his SO Team Canada golfers.

Celebrating our volunteers: How this PGA of Canada Technical Director brought a Special Olympics golf program to North Bay

North Bay’s Glenn Cundari was introduced to Special Olympics through the Professional Golfers’ Association of Canada four years ago.

leaving a legacy gift

SUPPORTING THE FUTURE OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS BY LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY

Manitoba’s Max Feierstein is a dedicated supporter of Special Olympics – he’s been a volunteer, a board member and is passionate about the future of...