"I'm Kortni and I'm an Athlete with Special Olympics Oregon. I've been an Athlete for almost 17 years, since I was a freshman in high school. Right now, I do track & field, bowling, swimming, basketball, and powerlifting.
When I was in high school, I joined Special Olympics and I started making a lot of friends and made so many great memories at all the competitions. Some of my favorite memories include going to the USA games in Seattle for bowling in 2018. It was amazing and so much fun. I got 3rd in singles, 2nd in doubles, and 2nd in team competition.
I've done the Plane Pull for three years so far and I love that all the money that gets raised goes to Special Olympics. It's a great reason to pull a heavy plane! My favorite part of the Plane Pull is that everyone gets to wear costumes. A couple of years ago, my team dressed up as different superheroes, and I was one of the Incredibles.
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My experience powerlifting in Special Olympics Oregon has helped me get ready for this year's Plane Pull. I'm really excited to get to put on a costume, pull a plane, and be with everyone to raise money for Special Olympics Oregon this September.
Thank you so much for supporting my Plane Pull team!"
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Bocce Ball makes its way from ancient times to the backyard of John and Katie Toppel!
Special Olympics Oregon has embraced Bocce Ball as a competitive and much requested sport!
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VOLUNTEERS
John and Katie Toppel
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Special Olympics Oregon has embraced Bocce Ball as a competitive and much-requested sport!
John and Katie Toppel have a long and proud history of being involved with Special Olympics, starting with their shared time at Villanova. Their passion for volunteering with Special Olympics moved with them to Portland in 2005, when they found their way to the Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR) by a combination of happenstance and fate.
Katie was out running when she happened to see and stop into the Special Olympics Oregon office. A mention of her experience with bocce ball in Pennsylvania led to a deeper conversation about bringing the sport to SOOR.
“They were floored to find someone that had done this for three years,” she said, “we dove in headfirst.” This was also a great way for them to meet people and give back, prior to having their girls, now ages 11 and 9. “Bocce picked us,” said John. “Katie met (Special Olympics Oregon staff) on her run, and she came back and said they wanted she and I to run the program. The combined knowledge of the sport, willingness to volunteer, and John’s ‘ability to manage chaos well’ was the trifecta needed to bring the sport to SOOR. The game changer? They recently installed a bocce ball court in their backyard for nightly games.
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PARTNER
Portland Timbers & Thorns FC
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As Dr. Robin Beavers, Vice President of Community and Social Impact for Portland Timbers and Thorns FC, said, “We truly value our partnership with Special Olympics Oregon. They hold a special place in our hearts. Stand Together, our community platform and Special Olympics’ missions are similar – to use sports as a tool to uplift the lives of children and families, - even more so on their part, to expand that reach to grow the acceptance and inclusion of youth and adults with intellectual disabilities in sports.”
We recently had the privilege to connect with Sarah Keane, CFO at Portland Timbers & Thorns, and Hannah Roxas, Community Impact Manager at Portland Timbers & Thorns, about their involvement and passion for Special Olympics Oregon.
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Youth Games Presented by Nike Embodies Hope |
Since 2007, more than 5,000 athletes have participated in this one-day event focused on introducing the basics of popular sports to young people with intellectual disabilities.
Davis Wohlford of Portland opened the NIKE Youth Games last year announcing in his endearing, booming voice, the Special Olympics Oregon oath, which goes like this: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt!”
Both Wohlford and the Youth Games presented by Nike embodies this oath, inspiring the idea that all kids are made to play, and helping participants realize their potential through sport, leading to healthier, happier, and more successful lives.
Special Olympics Oregon and NIKE, Inc. team up each year for the Special Olympics Oregon Youth Games at Nike World Headquarters, providing a chance for athletes to get an introduction to Special Olympics Oregon athletic programming and competitions. Over 5,000 athletes have participated in the past.
Wohlford has competed in numerous sports through Special Olympics Oregon in the past. What is his favorite memory? Said Wohlford, “I got to play goalie in the downtown Portland stadium, I was so proud of myself.” What advice would he give a younger generation of athletes with intellectual disabilities, those who could benefit from experiencing Nike Youth Games? He said, “I’d tell them you can do hard things.”
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Wohlford said he’s glad he’s participated in Special Olympics Oregon competitions as part of the fabric of his life, “I’m glad I participated in Special Olympics,” he said, “because it challenged me very hard.”
He has since gone on to busy himself with a variety of other things, including running a half marathon, going on backpacking trips, and creating art in the studio he helped found with his mother, North Pole Studio, an art studio inside NW Marine Art Works dedicated to people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Youth Games 2023 will be held at the Nike World Headquarters on Saturday, September 30th. This event is for youth aged 6 - 18 with intellectual disabilities. Family members are welcome too. All participants must be pre-registered. There is no fee to participate, and registration closes on Sunday, September 24th.
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Kortni and Aaron on KOIN 6 for Plane Pull presented by Embold Credit Union |
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Our Mission
Special Olympics Oregon provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children, youth and adults living with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
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