Rhode Island

Patty Carosotto spent most of her athletic days in the pool. Whether it be after school or on the weekends, she would splash into the water under the crisp sunlight in preparation for meets. All the while, her brother, who was born with cerebral palsy, got lost in the sound waves listening to Dodgers games. It was all the lessons she learned along the way caring for him that would shape her career to what it is today.

Special Olympics Rhode Island athlete and Administrative Assistant & Athlete Leadership Specialist Mary-Ellen Powers speaks with JR before her trip to Berlin for the Global Athlete Congress. Mary-Ellen began her involvement in Special Olympics in high school and has now worked for Special Olympics Rhode Island for almost twelve years. Mary-Ellen shares her love of Special Olympics and competing as an athlete with JR.

Frank Siembab has a bubbly and outgoing personality. Whether it’s leading a crowd in a rousing rendition of ‘God Bless America’ at a Hall of Fame induction ceremony or connecting with his co-workers, the Special Olympics Rhode Island athlete is known for lighting up the room.

A Ryder Cup-style tournament with members of Special Olympics, the First Tee of Greater Washington, DC, Wounded Warrior Project veterans and Howard University men’s golfers playing in pairs of two.

All Special Olympics Programs are experiencing a new kind of normal in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing all to go virtual this year.

Evan and Jay are not only brothers, they are Unified basketball teammates at Ponaganset High School, a Unified Champion School.