Ruby Lawler

Ruby Lawler is an athlete from Special Olympics Australia in the Asia Pacific Region. Ruby participates in swimming. She has been involved in Special Olympics since 2010.

Her favorite parts about Special Olympics are competing in sports and meeting new friends as well as having opportunities to explore different pathways such as being an athlete leader.

Ruby is excited for the congress in Berlin. She is looking forward to having the opportunity to travel and meet new friends. Ruby is excited to share information with others and especially share her story.

Ruby is employed as an art teacher. She is also studying for certificate 3 in hospitality and volunteers for Special Olympics as a learn to swim teacher. When Ruby isn’t working, studying, volunteering, or competing, she enjoys arts and crafts and loves to be with animals. Ruby lives on a farm where there are a lot of horses and wildlife. She also likes to go out socially to events and participate in activities of interest with her friends. Ruby also enjoys doing art workshops and traveling to the city.

Ruby says that being an athlete leader means being able to voice the opinions of other athletes and share ideas with others. She finds the role of athlete leader rewarding and important.

Ruby’s grant plan is to run a two-day workshop for Special Olympic athletes and other young people with intellectual disabilities in her community. The workshop will educate attendees on how to be more involved in Special Olympics and help them gain life and leadership skills. Using a unified leadership model, she will show people in the community what people with an intellectual disability are capable of achieving. The workshop would also provide the opportunity for athletes and young people to meet with local employers. It will focus on leadership skills such as public speaking, personal presentation, administrative and organizational skills. Support provider agencies, secondary schools and services from the local area in attendance will be able to spread the message of Special Olympics. Ruby hopes that the workshop will lead to more athletes, mentors, and volunteers joining her club.