#ImAGameChanger - Alicia Jory

February 28, 2018 Rachel McQuiston

BY: USA GAMES CORRESPONDENT, TYNAN GABLE

If you ever doubt that one person can change the world, this week’s game changer will reassure you. Alicia Jory lights up and unites her community with her enthusiasm for all that she does. She is tirelessly spirited and passionate; these qualities make her a perfect candidate for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games’ #ImAGameChanger campaign.

Alicia is the Director of Sports and Recreation at an organization called the Friendship Home in Delaware County, Oklahoma. The Friendship Home seeks to provide residential services, occupational training and preparation services, and community involvement opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Alicia’s mother, Cathy, helped get the Friendship Home started and got Alicia and her brother Rob involved. Today, one of Alicia’s personal goals for the residents is to get them involved in as many community events as possible.

#ImAGameChanger - The Fantoni Sisters

February 21, 2018 Rachel McQuiston

By: USA Games Correspondent, tynan gable

The “Fantastic Fantonis”: There could not be a more fitting name for these two young girls that have hearts of pure gold. This is why they are being recognized this week in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games #ImAGameChanger campaign.

Victoria and Eugenia Fantoni, ages eight and 10, respectively, moved to the Seattle area almost two years ago from their home in Mexico. When Vicky entered the first grade at St. Catherine’s School, she did not speak a word of English. And that’s when she met Kate Vecchiet, an eight-year-old girl with Down syndrome who’s mom Gail describes her as “spunky, determined, and confident.” Kate was Vicky’s first friend at St. Catherine’s, and the girls have been inseparable ever since. In this regard, Kate actually had the opportunity to be a game changer for Vicky, as well; giving her a friend in a new world of uncertainty.

#ImAGameChanger - Steve Valach

February 14, 2018 Rachel McQuiston

BY: USA GAMES CORRESPONDENT, TYNAN GABLE

The little act of giving everyone a chance can go a long way and leave a lasting impact. This is the lesson everyone can learn from this week’s Game Changer, Steve Valach. Steve is the head football coach at Liberty High School in Renton, WA and a set of thankful parents believe he is well deserving of the recognition and praise of the #ImAGameChanger campaign.

Several years ago, Steve and Peggy McCarthy took the initiative to get their son, Kevin, involved on the Liberty High School football team. Kevin loves football and they wanted to see if there was some way he could help the team. Kevin has Down syndrome, and because of this has faced the ongoing challenge of being given very limited opportunities for growth in the realm of athletics.

#ImAGameChanger - Amanda McMahon

February 7, 2018 Rachel McQuiston

By: USA Games Correspondent, Tynan Gable

How could emerging virtual reality (VR) technology be used to change the game for individuals with intellectual disabilities? Thanks to Amanda McMahon, there is research being done right now to answer that question.

McMahon is a doctoral student in prevention science at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, Washington. Her husband, Don, is inspired by the potential of Amanda’s work to the point that he felt it fitting to nominate her for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games #ImAGameChanger campaign.

In the PhD program at WSU Amanda is taking advantage of new virtual reality technologies in her attempt to improve lives. Don admires his wife’s work because “one of the goals of this study was to find ways to increase motivation for exercise” and the use of VR technology clearly has been able to do that.

She utilizes a system called VirZOOM. VirZOOM involves an innovative device that converts a stationary bike into a game; the faster you pedal, the faster the horse or motorcycle that you’re riding moves through the scenery displayed in your virtual reality headset.